Deborah Buhlers
Kelowna,British Columbia
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Researcher
Algoma University
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
12.2021 - 03.2023
- Analysis of large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets and a reverse genetics approach to Gateway clone lipid biosynthesis genes into RNAi and overexpression plant-specific plasmids.
- Use of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and tissue culture techniques to produce gene silencing and overexpression lines in tobacco and petunia plants to elucidate the lipid biosynthetic pathways in these model plants.
- This project aimed to understand the functions of lipid biosynthetic enzymes in plant lipid biosynthesis and to determine the phenotype associated with each lipid biosynthetic gene.
PhD. Researcher
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB
01.2014 - 09.2019
- Used a reverse genetics approach (Genomic database searches, PCR, gene cloning, and mutagenesis) to study two non-homologous ribitol catabolic gene systems on the c and d plasmids of Rhizobium leguminosarum.
- Rhizobium-host plant nodulation competition assays between mutant and wild-type strains showed that ribitol catabolism by R. leguminosarum did not offer a competitive advantage in the rhizosphere of a host plant.
- Genetic analysis and enzyme assays determined a putative ribitol catabolic pathway in R. leguminosarum.
- My research results demonstrated that one system of ribitol catabolic genes was expressed during the early stages of interaction with host plants.
- The second system of genes was expressed in the later stages of the R. leguminosarum host-plant interaction, as detected by enzyme assays, tissue staining, and fluorescence microscopy.
Molecular Biology Research Technician
Natural Resources Canada
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
07.2003 - 04.2006
- PCR amplification of C. fumiferana cDNA inserts in multiple libraries, purification of all PCR products, and analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis before sending to a sequencing facility.
- EST sequence analysis and sequence assembly using DNAStar software.
- Adding to and maintaining in-house sequence databases.
- Performing the microarray technique to detect which genes were expressed in C. fumiferana under different treatments with molting hormones and their analogs.
- Multiplex PCR to detect multiple co-infecting organisms in Spruce Budworm tissues.
- Infection of insect cell cultures with nuclear polyhedrosis virus and collecting samples at time points post-infection for fluorescence antibody staining and confocal microscopy.
- The results of this work led to the development of a draft spruce budworm genomic sequence and to the development of a patented biocontrol agent against this forest pest in Canada.
MSc. Researcher
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
01.2000 - 06.2003
- Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology experiments proved that Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Arabidopsis thaliana with CHT46, an antifreeze protein from winter rye, did not increase the freezing tolerance of A. thaliana.
- Later work found that other genes were also needed to impart antifreeze activity of CHT46 which would potentially improve the freezing tolerance of transgenic A. thaliana plants.
Plant Molecular Biology Technician/ Biocontrol Technician/Field Worker
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Lethbridge, AB
01.1997 - 12.1999
- Screened for markers of vernalization genes of spring and winter wheat lines using RAPD-PCR and SCARS-PCR.
- This work resulted in the detection of putative vernalization gene markers for wheat breeding programs.
- Use of environmental bacteria and fungi as biocontrol agents to limit or prevent crop loss due to Pythium damping-off, Sclerotinia, and Botrytis.
- Preparation of field for seeding by roughing and rock and weed removal.
- Use of a tractor and seeder to plant beans in the field.
- Maintenance of the crop during the growth season by weed removal, irrigation, and checking for pest infestations.
- Disease rating in the field and harvest at the end of the growth season.
- Cleaning, sorting, and weighing of seed after harvest as a measure of productivity under a certain treatment.
Education
PhD - Biology, Specialization in Molecular Microbiology
University of Calgary
01.2019
MSc - Biology, Specialization in Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology
University of Waterloo
01.2003
BSc. - Microbiology and Immunology
University of British Columbia
01.1996
Skills
- DNA extraction
- RNA extraction
- Protein extraction
- Gateway gene cloning
- Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
- Plant tissue culture
- Screening of transgenic plants
- Regeneration of mature plants
- Phenotyping transgenic plants
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
- Protein purification
- Column chromatography
- Northern blot
- Southern blot
- Western blot
- SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)
- Agarose gel electrophoresis
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- PCR primer design
- Reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR)
- Quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR)
- Directional gene cloning
- Mutagenesis
- Enzyme assays
- Enzyme kinetics
- Plant-microbe interaction assays
- Phenotype analysis
- Genetic analysis
- Reverse genetics
- Complementation analysis
- Plant tissue staining
- Fluorescence tissue staining
- Light microscopy
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Confocal microscopy
- Plant physiology measurements
- Microbiology laboratory skills
- Genomics
- Large-scale DNA sequence analysis
- DNAStar software
- Public genomic databases
- NCBI
- IMG-JGI
- SolGenomics
- Biostatistical analysis
- R programming
- SPSS
- SAS
- Microsoft Office applications
Team collaboration
Strong work ethic
Data collection and organization
Data analysis
Critical thinking
Interpreting results
Research planning
Documentation and reporting
Abstracts And Presentations
- Diving into the liquid cuticle: Insights into stigma estolide biosynthesis, Bourgault, R., Buhlers, D.L., Mohammadi, M., Boulter, D., Chauhan, H., O'Leary, J., Yanni, J., Maharjan, S., Molina, I., PADIBI Conference, Spain, 2024-09-01
- The Genetics of Ribitol Catabolism of Rhizobium leguminosarum, Buhlers, D.L., PhD Dissertation
- Ribitol Catabolism by Rhizobium leguminosarum affects competition for nodulation, Buhlers, D.L., Hynes, M.F., Canadian Society of Microbiologists Annual Meeting, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2018-06-01
- Characterization of the two ribitol catabolic gene systems on pRleVF39 c and d of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae strain VF39SM, Buhlers, D.L., Hynes, M.F., Prairie Biologists Symposium, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, 2017-01-01
- Characterization of the two plasmid-encoded ribitol gene loci on the c and d plasmids of R. leguminosarum VF39SM, Buhlers, D.L., Hynes, M.F., Canadian Society of Microbiologists Annual Meeting, Regina, Saskatchewan, 2015-06-01
- EST analysis of genes expressed in the different tissues of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana, Feng, Q. - L., Ladd, T., Zheng, S.-C., Li, L., Buhlers, D., Krell, P.J., Arif, B.M., Retnakaran, A., XXII International Congress of Entomology, Brisbane, Australia, 2004-08-15
- EST analysis of genes expressed in a midgut-derived cell line of the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana, Feng, Q. - L., Ladd, T., Zheng, S.-C., Li, L., Buhlers, D., Krell, P.J., Arif, B.M., Retnakaran, A., Annual Scientific meeting of Insect Biotech Canada Inc., St. Catharines, Ontario, 2004-06-06
- Characterization of Arabidopsis thaliana transformed with Cht46, a full-length coding DNA (cDNA) coding for a winter rye class II chitinase with antifreeze activity, Buhlers, D.L., MSc Thesis
Phone
cell, 4037007327
Awards
University of Calgary Biological Science Department Research Excellence Award, 2015, 2019, 2015-04-01, 2015-06-30
Summary
Knowledgeable Research Technician with solid foundation in research methodology and data analysis. Contributed to multiple projects enhancing understanding of key scientific questions, demonstrating critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Proven ability to collaborate effectively within team and adapt to evolving project needs.
Timeline
Researcher
Algoma University
12.2021 - 03.2023
PhD. Researcher
University of Calgary
01.2014 - 09.2019
Molecular Biology Research Technician
Natural Resources Canada
07.2003 - 04.2006
MSc. Researcher
University of Waterloo
01.2000 - 06.2003
Plant Molecular Biology Technician/ Biocontrol Technician/Field Worker
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
01.1997 - 12.1999
PhD - Biology, Specialization in Molecular Microbiology
University of Calgary
MSc - Biology, Specialization in Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology
University of Waterloo
BSc. - Microbiology and Immunology
University of British Columbia