Department of Genetics
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Modification of cassava root starch phosphorylation enhances starch functional properties
(Frontiers Media, 2018)Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a root crop used as a foodstuff and as a starch source in industry. Starch functional properties are influenced by many structural features including the relative amounts of the two ... -
Confirmation of the effectiveness and genetic positions of disease resistance loci in ‘Kishmish Vatkana’ (Ren1) and ‘Villard Blanc’ (Ren3 and Rpv3)
(South African Society for Enology and Viticulture, 2018)This study aimed to validate the effectiveness and to genetically characterise the fungal disease resistance genes of ‘Kishmish Vatkana’ and ‘Villard Blanc’ in South Africa using microsatellite (SSR) markers and a ... -
Species identification, lifestyles and mitogenomics of the elusive wasp assemblage associated with wild and cultivated olives in the Western Cape
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: While the international olive industry is greatly affected by the olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae), South African commercial crops are marginally affected. The rich assemblage of native parasitoid wasps ... -
Mutations in glucan, water dikinase affect starch degradation and gametophore development in the moss physcomitrella patens
(Nature Research, 2019)The role of starch degradation in non-vascular plants is poorly understood. To expand our knowledge of this area, we have studied this process in Physcomitrella patens. This has been achieved through examination of the ... -
The structure and function of the global citrus rhizosphere microbiome
(Nature Research (part of Springer Nature), 2018)Citrus is a globally important, perennial fruit crop whose rhizosphere microbiome is thought to play an important role in promoting citrus growth and health. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of the structural and ... -
Development of alternative diagnostic protocols for Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris and Coniella granati Sacc. (Syn. Pilidiella granati)
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Republic of South Africa (RSA) is an integral part of the global fruit exporting chain. Currently, South Africa is ranked eighth in the world in wine production, exporting 40% of all locally produced ... -
Starch trek : the search for yield
(Frontiers Media, 2019)Starch is a plant storage polyglucan that accumulates in plastids. It is composed of two polymers, amylose and amylopectin, with different structures and plays several roles in helping to determine plant yield. In leaves, ... -
Population genetics of Southern Hemisphere tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) : Intercontinental divergence and constrained gene flow at different geographical scales
(Public Library of Science, 2017)The tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus Linnaeus, 1758) is a temperate, coastal hound shark found in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans. In this study, the population structure of Galeorhinus galeus was determined across the ... -
Modulation of the Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Chardonnay’ microRNA and mRNA transcriptomes in response to aster yellows phytoplasma-infection
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aster yellows (AY) phytoplasmas are part of a group of cell wall-less plant pathogenic bacteria responsible for a detrimental disease known as grapevine yellows (GY). The molecular mechanisms of AY ... -
Characterization of citrus tristeza virus variants and their influence on symptom expression in grapefruit
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), a member of the family Closteroviridae, was responsible for large scale destruction of citrus, especially in the Americas, due to tristeza disease and necessitated a production ... -
A comparative study of selected physical and biochemical traits of wild-type and transgenic sorghum to reveal differences relevant to grain quality
(Frontiers Media, 2017)Transgenic sorghum featuring RNAi suppression of certain kafirins was developed recently, to address the problem of poor protein digestibility in the grain. However, it was not firmly established if other important quality ... -
Species delineation in the southern African endemic catshark genus Haploblepharus
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-11)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Accurate species identification is paramount for the effective implementation of conservation and management plans. Species identification in the genus Haploblepharus has historically been problematic due ... -
Identification and biochemical characterisation of an aryl β-glucosidase isolated from a cellulose-acetate rich environment via a functional metagenomic approach
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-11)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Functional metagenomics has established itself as an indispensable tool in the search for novel genes by accessing the genetic information of previously unculturable microbes. These novel genes are ... -
Overexpression of a tomato SlNAC2 gene in Nicotiana tabacum to determine its potential role in enhancing drought tolerance in plants
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ability of transcription factors to regulate stress-response gene expression within a plant makes them ideal targets as transgenes for improving stress tolerance. The NAC (NAM/ATAF/CUC) transcription ... -
Mitochondrial genome assembly and population genetics of the common smoothhound shark, Mustelus mustelus
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-11-26)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Knowledge of evolutionary history and population genetic structuring in economically important marine species are integral factors for a more comprehensive fisheries management approach in order to ... -
Initiation of a pre-breeding effort for water stress resistance traits and yield improvement in wheat
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important crop produced in South Africa and across the world. Water stress and rust diseases (Puccinia spp.) are common factors hindering wheat growth and development. ... -
Functional identification of a putative stachyose synthase (StaS, Medtr7g106910.1) from Medicago truncatula, by overexpression in the Arabidopsis stachyose deficient double mutant atrs4/atrs5
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-11)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides (RFOs; Suc-Galn, 13 < n ≥ 1) are α1,6- galactosyl extensions of sucrose occurring exclusively in the plant kingdom and some photoautotrophic bacteria. This unique ... -
Analysis of aspects of the starch metabolic pathway in lower plants
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Starch is an important plant storage polysaccharide that has been demonstrated to have a major influence on plant growth. Transitory starch is synthesized in the leaves of plants during the day as a ... -
Comparing different siRNA delivery systems to target Diuraphis noxia
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Diuraphis noxia, also known as the Russian wheat aphid, is a major pest of wheat. Breeding for resistance against D. noxia has been relatively successful in wheat as there has been many resistance genes ... -
Initiation of a wheat pre-breeding effort aimed at yield improvement using male-sterility marker assisted recurrent selection
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Continous decline in South Africa’s wheat production over the past few decades has lead to a corresponding rise in reliance on wheat imports to satisfy the local consumption needs. Wheat breeders need ...
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