Kowles gives presentation at Winona State University

Dr. Richard Kowles, professor emeritus in biology, gave a presentation at Winona State University on Friday, Sept. 19. His talk was titled “The Mysterious B Chromosome.” The seminar presented data from a series of experiments that Dr. Kowles and several Saint Mary’s students conducted with this very weird chromosome in maize (corn). B chromosomes in some organisms, in this case maize, seem to have no function or advantage to the organism that possesses them; hence, they are mysterious. Dr. Kowles presented this research to approximately 80 Winona State University genetics students.