Colin Quinn
Colin Quinn
Research Interests:
Recent research has increased our understanding of plants that accumulate unusually large amounts of metals, termed hyperaccumulators. I am interested in the ecology of hyperaccumulating plants, specifically the functional significance of hyperaccumulation and the mechanisms involved in metal uptake. It is fascinating that some plants accumulate large amounts of metals, and my research focuses on understanding why this characteristic evolved, and the consequences for other organisms interacting with hyperaccumulators. In addition, some hyperaccumulators secrete and obscure form of organic phosphorous to make metal more bioavailable for uptake. Closely examining the root secretions of hyperaccumulators may provide insight into the origin of some soil organic phosphorous. Continued research and understanding of metal uptake mechanisms may also play a key role in the ability to use plants to clean up metal polluted environments.
Education:
2006 – M.S. in Botany, Colorado State University
2004 – B.S. in Biology, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Publications:
Quinn CF, Freeman JL, Galeas ML, Klamper EM, Pilon-Smits EAH. 2007. Selenium protects plants from prairie dog herbivory – implications for the evolution of selenium hyperaccumulation. In Press, Oecologia.
Quinn CF, Galeas ML, Freeman JL, Pilon-Smits EAH. 2007. Selenium: deterrence, toxicity, and adaptation. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 3: 1-3
Galeas M, Klamper E, Bennet L, Quinn CF, Freeman J, Pilon-Smits EAH. 2007. Selenium hyperaccumulation reduces plant arthropod loads in the field. In press. New Phytologist.
Freeman JL, Lindblom SD, Quinn CF, Fakra S, Marcus MA, Pilon-Smits EAH. 2007. Selenium accumulation protects plants from herbivory by orthoptera due to toxicity and deterrence. New Phytologist 175: 490-507
Freeman JL, Quinn CF, Marcus M, Fakra S. Pilon-Smits EAH. 2006. Selenium tolerant diamondback moth disarms hyperaccumulator plant defense. Current Biology 16:2181-2192.