My interests in research center on aspects of plant growth and development.
Current efforts center the elucidation of mechanisms underlying tropisms, i.e.,
directed responses to external stimuli like light and gravity. Pellia
setae have been used as a model system for these studies. Other major projects
I have been involved with include the analysis of mechanisms underlying long
distance transport of nutrients in plants. Polytrichum has been used
as a model system for these studies. Various common forest herbs have also been
used. Students have been involved in all of these projects, often as co-authors
of published scientific papers. Many other projects have been independently
initiated by students wishing to work in my lab. A recent honors thesis student
initiated a projects involving the investigation of the potential of plants
as cleansing agents of soils contaminated with heavy metals. Tomato seedlings
were used in this study. Other projects undertaken by students under my direction
include hybridization in day lilies, the effects of ultraviolet light on heat
shock proteins in a marine alga (using radioactive tracer methods), and interactions
between alpine lichens and their rock substrates (using scanning electron microscope
and electron probe techniques). I am open to working with students on a wide
variety of plant related topics.
Degrees: B.A., University of Michigan,
Flint, 1971
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz, 1975
Current Position: Professor of Biology, Bates College
Research Interests: plant growth and development, with current efforts centered on elucidation of mechanisms underlying tropisms, and in patterns and control of long distance translocation of photoassimilates.
Most Recent Publications (*denotes student coauthors):
*Woodard, T. L., R.J. Thomas, and B. Xing. 2003. Potential for phytoextraction
of cobalt by tomato. Communications in
Soil Science and Plant Analysis 34(5&6): 645-654.
Thomas, R. J., T. G. *Woodward, and H.A. *Rogoff. 2002. Growth and auxin transport in setae of Pellia epiphylla sporophytes. The Byrologist. 105(3): 407-410.
*Ciciotte, S., and R. J. Thomas. 1997. Carbon exchange between Polysiphonia lanosa (Rhodophyceae) and its brown algal host. American Journal of Botany 84(11): 1614-1616.
Thomas, R. J., S. H. *Ryder, M. I. *Gardner, J. P. *Sheetz, and S. D. *Nichipor. 1996. Photosynthetic function of leaf lamellae in Polytrichum commune. Bryologist 99: 6-11.
Thomas, R. J. 1993. An aphid feeding on moss. Maine Naturalist 1: 37-38.
Thomas, R. J. and C. S. *Lombard. 1991. Aphid infestation and its effects on translocation in Polytrichum commune. The Bryologist 94: 1-4.
Thomas, R. J., A. J. *Grethlein, C. M. *Perou, and D. C. Scheirer. 1990. Translocation in Polytrichum commune (Bryophyta) III. Loading of sugars in source leaves. American Journal of Botany 77: 1574-1581.
Thomas, R. J., E. M. *Schiele, and D. T. *Danberg. 1990. Translocation in Polytrichum commune (Bryophyta) II. Clonal Integration. American Journal of Botany 77: 1569-1573.
Two Most Recent Papers Presented at Professional Meetings:
*Woodard, T.L. and R.J. Thomas. 2000. The potential for phytoremediation of cobalt by Lycopersicon esculentum (var. Supersonic) and Philodendron selloum. Plant Biology 2000, San Diego, CA, July 15-19.
*Woodward, T.G., H.A. *Rogoff, and R.J. Thomas. 1999. Correlation between differential growth and possible auxin mediation in Pellia (a liverwort). XVI International Botanical Congress, St. Louis, MO, August 1-7.
*Ashmun, J. W., R. J. Thomas and L. F. Pitelka. 1982. Translocation
of photoassimilates between sister ramets in 2 rhizomatous forest herbs.
American Journal of Botany 49: 403-15. (18th on list of most-cited of papers
of the the liberal arts colleges, 1981-1992 -- (Current Contents
AB&ES 24(25): 8, 1993)
CBB Mellon Grant, Enhancing Instruction in Plant Biology with Information Technology.
$6,000, co-P.I. Barry Logan. For results see Botany
Database. 1999-2001.
Ladd Gift for Curricular Developments in Complementary Therapies. $5,000,
with
P. Baker, N.Kleckner, R. Sommer. 2000.
Hughes Foundation. Digital Camera for Biology. $1,050. 1998.
Hughes Foundation, Kevex Sigma Microanalyzer System for
geology and biology, $38,500, coauthored with Professors
Eusden & Creasy, 1995.
Hughes Foundation, Writing enhancement in biology core
courses, $2,000, 1995.
Hughes Foundation, Jeol JEM-100S transmission electron
microscope acquisition, $20,450.
National Science Foundation, Instrumentation for Scientific
Education Program, "Acquisition of an electron microscope
for Biological Instruction and Research." 1989-91, $61,726.
National Science Foundation, Research at Undergraduate
Institutions Program, "Mechanism for food transport within
phloem-like cells of a moss." 1985-1988, $79,000.
National Science Foundation, Research Experiences for
Undergraduates, "Student research assistant supplement
to an NSF-RUI Grant." 1987, $2,000.
XIV International Botanical Congress Travel Grant,
Berlin (West), Germany, 1987, 250 DM.
National Science Foundation, College Research Instrumentation
Program, "Acquisition of an ultramicrotome and knifemaker."
1983-1984, $16,155.
Cottrell College Science Grant, The Research Corporation,
"Use of aphids and radioactive tracers to study food trans-
port in mosses." 1983-1985, $8,900.
Cottrell College Science Grant, The Research Corporation,
"Wall extension and regulation of cell elongation in
Pellia." 1980-1982, $11,250.
National Science Foundation, Instrumentation for Scientific
Education, "Plant and animal physiology equipment request."
1978-1980, $8,400.
Atlantic Richfield Company, "Teaching microscopes and
accessories." 1985-1986, $25,000 (with Kathy Grieb and
the Development Office).
National Science Foundation, College Science Instrumenta-
tion Program, "Microprocessor analysis of video and analog
signals in physiology." 1987-1989, $30,000. (First
Additional Project Director; Laura Malloy is Principal
Director).
Acting Principal Investigator (substituting for Louis
Pitelka), National Science Foundation, "Ecology of under-
story plants in forest communities." 1983-1985, $125,856.
College Grants:
Schmutz Faculty Research Grants: "Winter dormancy in Pellia,"
1985-1986, $800; "Force-extension analysis of cell wall
loosening," 1983- 984, $577; "Use of aphids and radioactive
tracers to study food conduction in mosses," 1981-1982,
$266; "Wall extension and regulation of growth in Pellia,"
1980-81, $730; "Cell wall regeneration by Sphaerocarpos
donnellii protoplasts," 1979-1980, $656; "Radioactive
tracer study of photosynthesis and translocation in
Phaeroceros laevis," 1978-1979, $350.
Dana Apprenticeship & Hughes Student Research Intership
Sponsor
Earlier papers and presentations not cited beforehand:
Thomas, R. J., E. M. *Schiele and D. C. Scheirer. 1988.
Translocation in Polytrichum commune (Bryophyta)
I. Conduction and allocation of photoassimilates.
American Journal of Botany 75: 275-281.
Thomas, R.J., P. J. *Caron and R. S.*Watt. 1987. Time-lapse
photography of phototropism in Pellia epiphylla. The
Bryologist 90: 390-392.
*Ellis, J. G. and R. J. Thomas. 1985. Phototropism in
Pellia: evidence for mediation by auxin-stimulated acid
efflux. Journal of Plant Physiology 121: 259-264.
Thomas, R. J., M. Harrison, J. Taylor and P. B. Kaufman.
Endogenous auxin and ethlene in Pellia. Plant
Physiology 73: 395-397 (1983).
Thomas, R. J. and K. *Silcox. Proton efflux and cell lysis
induced by fusicoccin in haploid protoplasts of
Lunularia cruciata. Plant Science Letters 29: 169-173
(1983).
*Ashmun, J. W., R. J. Thomas and L. F. Pitelka. Transloca-
tion of photoassimilates between sister ramets of two
rhizomatous forest herbs. Annals of Botany 49: 403-415
(1982).
Thomas, R. J., P. B. Kaufman, P. Dayanandan, J. Taylor and
R. J. *Umberfield. Comparative analysis of rapid growth
responses using three model systems: Conocephalum
carpocephalum-stalk, Pellia seta, and Avena internode.
Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 51: 195-
201 (1982).
*Reinhart, D.A. and R.J. Thomas. Sucrose uptake and trans-
port in conducting cells of Polytrichum commune. The
Bryologist 84: 59-64 (1981).
Thomas, R. J. Cell elongation in hepatics: the seta system.
Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 107: 339-345
(1980).
Thomas, R.J., M.A. *Grusak and B. *Marsh. Wall regeneration
by plasmolyzed cells from tissue suspension cultures
of Sphaerocarpos donnellii. Journal of Cell Science
43: 167-175 (1980).
Thomas, R. J. D. S. *Stanton and M. A. *Grusak. Radioactive
tracer study of sporophyte nutrition in hepatics.
American Journal of Botany 66: 398-403 (1979).
Thomas, R. J., D. S. *Stanton, D. H. *Longendorfer and M. A.
*Farr. Physiological evaluation of the nutritional
autonomy of a hornwort sporophyte. Botanical Gazette
139: 306-311 (1978).
Thomas, R. J. Wall analyses of Lophocolea seta cells (Bryo-
phyta) before and after elongation. Plant Physiololgy
56: 337-340 (1977).
Thomas, R. J. Water relations of elongating seta cells
in
sporophytes of the liverwort Lophocolea heterophylla.
The Bryologist 80: 345-347 (1977).
Thomas, R. J. and W. T. Doyle. Changes in the carbohydrate
constituents of elongating Lophocolea heterophylla
setae (Hepaticae). American Journal of Botany 63:
1054-1059 (1976).
Thomas, R. J. Correlation between protein content and cell
elongation in setae of Lophocolea heterophylla sporo-
phytes. Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory
40: 87-90 (1976).
Thomas, R. J. Lipid composition of maturing and elongate
liverwort sporophytes. Phytochemistry 14: 623-626
(1975).
Thomas, R. J. Sesquiterpenoids in the sporophyte of
Lophocolea heterophylla. The Bryologist 78: 75-77
(1975).
Thomas, R. J. M. G. Wolery and J. Taylor. Critical point
drying of liverwort spores for scanning electron micro-
scopy. Stain Technology 49: 261-264 (1974).
Taylor, J., R. J. Thomas and J. G. Otero. 1972. Chromato-
graphic and spectrophotometric analyses of the photo-
synthetic pigments of the gametophyte and the sporo-
phyte of Lophocolea heterophylla. The Bryologist 75:
36-42 (1972).
Thomas, R. J., J. Taylor and M. J. Montague. The growth
response of Lophocolea heterophylla seta segments to
exogenous indole-3-acetic acid. The Bryologist 73:
713-715 (1970).
Other presentations at professional meetings (*student coauthors):
Thomas, R. J., S. H. *Ryder, M. I. *Gardner, J. P. *Sheetz, and
S. D. *Nichipor. 1995. Photosynthetic function
of leaf
lamellae in Polytrichum commune. Annual Meeting
of the
American Bryological and Lichenological Society,
Jasper
National Park, Alberta, Canada, July 29- August
3.
Thomas, R. J., T. A. *Norden, and H. A. *Rogoff. 1994.
Computer-assisted image analysis of gravitropism in Pellia.
American Institute of Biological Sciences, Iowa State
University in Ames, Iowa, August 1-5, 1993. (Also presented
at the Twentieth Annual Maine Biological and
Medical
Sciences Symposium, Bates College, May 19-20, 1994).
*Ciciotte, S. L., E. Pritchard, and R. J. Thomas. 1994. HPLC-
detection of domoic acid in Chondrus crispus
("Irish moss").
Twentieth Annual Maine Biological and Medical
Sciences
Symposium, Bates College, May 19-20, 1994.
*Chickering, M. J., R. J. Thomas, and J. G. Pelliccia. 1994.
Scanning Electron micrographs of embryos from chlorate-
treated Drosophila. Twentieth Annual Maine Biological and
Medical Sciences Symposium, Bates College, May 19-20.
Thomas, R. J., T. A. *Norden and H. A. *Rogoff. 1993.
Computer assisted image analysis of gravitropism in
Pellia. AIBS, Iowa State University, Ames. August 1-4.
*Ryder, Steven H., Jonathan P. *Sheetz, Mark I. *Gardner, and
R. J. Thomas. 1992. Photosynthetic function of leaf lamellae
in a moss. Meetings of the American Society of Plant
Physiologists, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 1-5.
Thomas, R. J. 1991. Aphids on moss. Botanical Society of America,
AIBS, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas,
August 4-8.
Thomas, R. J. and L. P. *Bourn. 1990. A computerized video
digitizing technique for analysis of rapid growth and
trophic curvature in hepatics. Annual Meeting of the
Botanical Society of America, Virginia Commonwealth
University, Richmond, August 5-9.
Thomas, R. J. 1989. Translocation in Polytrichum, a woodland
moss. American Society of Plant Physiologists, Northeast
Section. Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station,
New Haven, May 5-6.
Thomas, R. J. 1988. Analysis of translocation in Polytrichum.
American Institute of Biological Sciences, Annual Meeting,
University of California, Davis, August 14-18.
Thomas, R. J. 1987. Translocation of photoassimilates in
Polytrichum commune (Bryophyta). Invited paper for the
symposium entitled "Translocation of assimilates", J. S.
Pate and W. Eschrich organizers, XIV International Botanical
Congress, Berlin, Germany, July 24-August 1.
Scheirer, D. C. and R. J. Thomas. 1987. Sieve elements of mosses.
Invited paper for the symposium entitled "Sieve elements",
R. D. Sjolund and H.-D. Behnke organizers, XIV International
Botanical Congress, Berlin, Germany, July 24-August 1.
Thomas, R. J., E. M. *Schiele and D. C. Scheirer. 1987. Long
distance transport of photosynthate in the common hair-cap
moss. Maine Biological & Medical Sciences Symposium, Bowdoin
College, Brunswick, June 4 & 5.
*Schiele, E. M., R. J. Thomas and A. J. *Grethlein. 1986. Trans-
location in the common hair cap moss. II. Partitioning of
photoassimilates. Botanical Society of America, University
of Massachusetts, Amherst, August 10-14.
Thomas, R. J., A. J. *Grethlein, T. D. *O'Brien, M. J. *Hoye and
D. C. Scheirer. 1986. Translocation in the common hair cap
moss I. Loading of sugars in source leaves. Botanical
Society of America, University of Massachusetts, Amherst,
August 10-14.
*Watt, R. S., R. J. Thomas and T. D. *O'Brien. 1986. Phototropism
of Pellia: differential growth measurements. American
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Massachu-
setts, Amherst, August 10-14.
Thomas, R.J., A.J. *Grethlein, T.D. *O'Brien and E.M. *Schiele.
1986. Loading and long distance transport of sugars in the
common hair cap moss. American Society of Plant Physiolo-
gists, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, June 8-12.
Thomas, R.J., R.S. *Watt and P. *Caron. 1986. Patterns of differ- ential
growth that result in phototropism of Pellia. Maine
Biological and Medical Sciences Symposium, Westbrook College
Portland, May 28-29.
Thomas, R. J. 1986. Phototropism. Eleventh Annual A. Leroy
Andrews Foray, Peconic Dunes Camp, Long Island, New York,
September 19-21.
Thomas, R. J., D. C. Scheirer, and C. S. *Lombard. 1985. "Phloem"
transport in Polytrichum. Maine Biological and Medical
Sciences Symposium, Bates College, May 30-31.
Thomas, R. J. 1985. Transport studies in Polytrichum. Tenth
Annual A. Leroy Andrews Foray, Craftsbury Center, Vermont,
September 20-22.
Thomas, R. J., D. C. Scheirer, and C. S. *Lombard. 1984. "Phloem"
transport in Polytrichum. American Institute of Biological
Sciences, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, August 5- 9.
Thomas, R.J. and J.G. *Ellis. 1984. The role of auxin in photo-
tropism of Pellia. American Society of Plant Physiologists,
University of California, Davis, August 12-17.
*Ellis, J. G. and R. J. Thomas. 1984. Evidence for mediation of
growth and photocurvature by hormone-stimulated H+ efflux
in Pellia. Plant Growth Regulator Society of America,
Boston, July 29- August 1.
Thomas, R. J. and J. G. *Ellis. 1983. Phototropic curvature of
Pellia sporophytes. American Institute of Biological
Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, August
7-11.
Thomas, R. J., M. A. Harrison, F. J. *Behringer, J. Taylor and
P. B. Kaufman. 1982. Production of endogenous auxin and
ethylene in elongating setae of Pellia epiphylla
sporophytes. Botanical Society of America, Pennsylvannia
State University, University Park, August 8-12.
Thomas, R. J. and K. R. *Silcox. 1982. Effect of growth regula-
tors on lysis of enzymatically isolated protoplasts from
Lunularia cruciata. Botanical Society of America, Pennsyl-
vannia State University, University Park, August 8-12.
Thomas, R. J. and C. S. *Lombard. 1982. Use of aphids and radio-
active tracers to study food conduction in mosses. Maine
Biological and Medical Science Symposium, University of
Maine at Farmington, May 27-28.
Thomas, R. J. and C. S. *Lombard. 1982. Application of the aphid
stylet technique to the study of translocation in mosses.
American Society of Plant Physiologists, University of
Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, June 13-17.
Thomas, R.J., R.J. *Umberfield, F.J. *Behringer, B.S. *Baldwin
and J.J. *Sparkowski. 1981. Growth by cell elongation in
Pellia. American Society of Plant Physiologists, Laval
University, Quebec, June 15-18.
Kaufman, P. B., P. Dayanandan, R. J. Thomas and J. Taylor. 1981.
Comparative analysis of methods for detection of rapid
growth responses using three model systems: Conocephalum
archegoniophores, Pellia setae, and Avena internodes.
XIIIth International Botanical Congress, Sydney, Australia,
August 21-28.
*Reinhart, D. A. and R. J. Thomas. 1980. Sucrose loading and
transport in leptoids of the moss, Polytrichum commune.
Botany 80 conference, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, July 12-16.
*Ashmun, J. A., L. F. Pitelka and R. J. Thomas. 1980. Transloca-
tion between connected ramets in two forest herbs. Botany
80 Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
July 12-16.
*Reinhart, D. A. and R. J. Thomas. 1980. Translocation studies in
the moss Polytrichum commune. State Biologists Association,
Freeport, Maine, May 31.
*Burns, A. R. and R. J. Thomas. 1980. Protoplasts isolation in
bryophytes. State Biologists Association, Freeport, Maine,
May 31.
Thomas, R. J. 1979. Wall extension and cell growth in bryophytes.
American Institute of Biological Sciences, Oklahoma State
University, Stillwater, August 12-17.
*Grusak, M. A. and R. J. Thomas. 1979. Cell wall regeneration in
Sphaerocarpos protoplasts. American Institute of Biological
Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, August 12-
17.
Thomas, R. J. and D. S. *Stanton. 1978. Physiological evaluation
of the nutritional autonomy of hornwort and liverwort
sporophytes. Plant Science Conference, Virginia Polytechnic
Institute, Blacksburg, June 25-29.
*Stanton, D. S. and R. J. Thomas. 1977. Radioactive tracer
studies of photosynthesis and translocation in Phaeoceros
laevis (L.) Prosk. State Biologists Association, University
of Maine, Augusta, November 4.
*Longendorfer, D. H. and R. J. Thomas. 1977. On the nutritional
dependence of Phaeoceros laevis sporophytes. American
Institute of Biological Sciences, Michigan State University
East Lansing, August 21-26.
Thomas, R. J. 1976. Effect of light and capsule excision on
stalk elongation of liverworts. State Biologists Associa-
tion, SMVTI, Portland, Maine, November 20.
Thomas, R. J. 1975. Correlation between protein content and cell
elongation in setae of liverwort sporophytes. Maine State
Biologists Association, Fall Meetings.
Thomas, R. J. and W. T. Doyle. 1975. Cell wall analyses of elongating
liverwort setae. American Society of Plant
Physiologists, Oregon State University, Corvallis,
August
17-22.
Thomas, R. J. and W. T. Doyle. 1975. Lipid composition of
maturing and elongate setae of liverwort sporophytes.
American Bryological & Lichenological Society, Oregon State
University, Corvallis, August 18.
Thomas, R. J. 1974. Carbohydrates in the seta of a liverwort
sporophyte before and during elongation. American Botanical
Society, Arizonia State University, Tempe, June 16-20.
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