Dr. Patrick von Aderkas
Areas of research focus
- Evolution of reproduction in gymnosperms
- Experimental embryogenesis of conifers
- Proteomics of gymnosperm sexual fluids
The study of evolution of plant reproduction by seed begins with pollen-ovule interactions. In gymnosperms, e.g. conifers and cycads, pollen delivered by wind or animals is captured by a pollination drop . By looking at the chemical profiles of these drops, researchers in my lab hae discovered a number of adaptations involved in eithe defense and rewards.
- BIOL 184 – Evolution and Diversity
- BIOL 325 – Tree Biology
- BIOL 326 – Development and Genetics of Model Plants
- BIOL 334 – Plants and People
Strachan, K., von Aderkas, P. ;2025. Conservation Challenges for Seaside Juniper, Juniperus maritima, a Dioecious Conifer Endemic to the Salish Sea
Creasy, E., Hawkins, B., Robbins, S., von Aderkas, P. 2025. Ammonium, nitrate, and proton flux in fern gametophytes. Botany doi:10.1139/cjb-2024-0150
Vance, M., Richardson, J., Hawkins, BJ, von Aderkas, P. 2024. The range-wide genetic structure of a high-elevation conifer species, subalpine larch. Journal of Biogeography 51: 2556-2565. doi:
Super, L., Fu, M., Guy, R., von Aderkas, P., Singh, S. 2024. Studying phytobiomes as complex systems: a new framework for learners to scaffold understanding. Plant Health Instructor 24:
Ausio, J., Knox, A., Kim, B-Y., Humphrey, E., Gowen, B., Minamino, N., von Aderkas, P. 2024. The sperm nuclear basic proteins of the sword fern (Polystichum munitum). Biochemistry and Cell Biology 102: 285-590. 10.1139/bcb-2023-0343
Parra, A.L.C. Freitas, C.D.T., Souza, P.F.N., von Aderkas, P., Borchers, C.H., Beattie, G.A., Silva, F.A., Thornburg, R.W. 2022. Ornamental tobacco floral nectar is a rich source of antimicrobial peptides. Plant Science 324:111427 doi:10.1016/j.plantsci.2022.111427
von Aderkas, P., Little, S., Nepi, M., Guarnieri, M., Antony, M., Takaso, T. 2022. Composition of sexual fluids in Cycas revoluta ovules during pollination and fertilization. Botanical Review 88: 453-484.
Kong, L., Jaquish, B., Zaharia, I., von Aderkas, P. 2021. Phytohormone profiles of sterile Douglas-fir mutants and the responses to stem-injected gibberellins. Trees – Structure and Function doi.org/10.1007/s00468-021-02163-2
von Aderkas, P., Prior, N., Little, S. A., Holt, T., Creasy E., Whitehill J., King J., Kong, K. 2021. Somatic embryogenesis of weevil resistant phenotypes of Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis. Propagation of Ornamental Plants 21: 27-40.