Kendra J. Greenlee

Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Email: kendra.greenlee@ndsu.edu
Phone: 701-231-6270
Office: Stevens 129
Lab Home Page

Research interests include body size variation and respiratory system physiology in insects, with an emphasis on the effects of hypoxia on respiratory functions and molting. I am also interested in insect immunity and the response to bacterial and parasite infections.

Insects are remarkably tolerant of exposure to low oxygen, yet the mechanisms by which they accomplish this are not well understood. Furthermore, throughout development, insects undergo huge increases in body size that may require increases in tracheal system capacity. In our lab, we use the tobacco hornworm caterpillar, Manduca sexta, to investigate the respiratory physiology of insects at the molecular, cellular and whole organism levels. We use respirometry and synchrotron x-ray imaging to quantify gas exchange in developing caterpillars. In addition, we use immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and western blotting to assess the function and expression of proteins involved in the responses to hypoxia, infection and injury.

Graduate Student Positions Available:
PhD and MS positions available starting Fall 2009. Financial aid and tuition waivers are available for qualifying students.

Goswami , S. , Angkasekwinai P., Shan, M., Greenlee, K. J., Barranco, W. T., Polikepahad, P., Seryshev, A., Song, L.-Z., Redding, D.,

Singh, B., Sur, S., Woodruff, P., Dong, C., Corry, D. B., and Kheradmand, F. (2009). Divergent functions for airway epithelial matrix metalloproteinase 7 and retinoic acid in experimental asthma. Nature Immunology. doi:10.1038/ni.1719.

Greenlee, K. J., Nebeker, C. and Harrison, J. F. (2007). Body size-independent safety margins for gas exchange across grasshopper species. Journal of Experimental Biology. 210: 1288-1296.

Greenlee, K. J., Werb, Z., and Kheradmand, F. Matrix metalloproteinases in lung: Multiple, multifarious, and multifaceted. (2007). Physiological Reviews. 87: 69-98.

Greenlee, K. J., Corry, D., Engler, D. A., Matsunami, R. K., Tessier, P., Cook, R. G., Werb, Z,, and Kheradmand, F. (2006). Proteomic identification of in vivo substrates for matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 reveals a mechanism for resolution of inflammation. Journal of Immunology, 177: 7312-7321.

Greenlee, K. J. and Harrison, J. F. (2005). Respiratory changes throughout ontogeny in the tobacco hornworm caterpillar, Manduca sexta. Journal of Experimental Biology. 208: 1385-1392.

Harrison, J. F., Lafreniere, J. J., and Greenlee, K. J. (2005). Ontogeny of tracheal dimensions and gas exchange capacities in the grasshopper, Schistocerca americana. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 141: 372-380.

Greenlee, K. J. and Harrison, J. F. (2004). Development of respiratory function in the American locust, Schistocerca americana I. Across-instar effects. Journal of Experimental Biology. 204: 497-508.

Greenlee, K. J. and Harrison, J. F. (2004). Development of respiratory function in the American locust, Schistocerca americana II. Within-instar effects. Journal of Experimental Biology. 204: 509-517.

Greenlee, K. J. and Harrison, J. F. (1998). Acid-base and respiratory responses to hypoxia in the grasshopper, Schistocerca americana. Journal of Experimental Biology. 201: 2843-2855.