Doctoral Degrees (Genetics)

Modulation of the Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Chardonnay’ microRNA and mRNA transcriptomes in response to aster yellows phytoplasma-infection

Snyman, Marius Christian (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

Cook, Glynnis (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 ...

Isolation and characterisation of novel enzymes producing fructo- and galacto-oligosaccharides through a metagenomic approach

Smith, Marthinus Luther (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Prebiotic oligosaccharides and polymers are a form of dietary carbohydrate that are selectively fermented by the microbiota of the lower gastro intestinal tract and confer a health benefit to the host ...

Genome and transcriptome sequencing of vitis vinifera cv pinotage

Coetzee, Beatrix (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Examining the genetic basis of natural phenotypic variation, and the transfer of this knowledge to a breeding program for improved crop cultivars or livestock races, is a major goal for biological ...

Unravelling the mystery of the shark genus Mustelus in southern Africa using a multidisciplinary approach

Maduna, Simo Njabulo (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Multidisciplinary approaches have previously offered some alternative innovative ways of addressing classical ecological questions while providing novel insights into behaviour and biology of elasmobranch ...

Molecular analysis of plant growth promoted with low molecular weight compounds in relation to genetically altered photosynthetic carbohydrate partitioning in higher plants

Pholo, Motlalepula (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Despite the impressive advances that have been made over the years in improving both plant growth and yields, there is little reason to become complacent about these developments, especially with regard ...

Small RNA profiling of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 infected grapevine plants

Bester, Rachelle (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the most important viral diseases of grapevine worldwide is grapevine leafroll disease (GLD). A number of viruses from the family Closteroviridae have been associated with this disease, though Grapevine ...

Functional characterization of a putative signalling peptide TAXIMIN in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and a medicinal plant Sutherlandia frutescens L. R. Br.

Colling, Janine (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Secondary metabolite production in plants assists with protection against predators and attraction of pollinators. Manipulation of secondary metabolite pathways towards increased production of compounds ...

Population genetics of Galeorhinus galeus, Carcharhinus brachyurus and Rhinobatos annulatus- implications for regional fisheries and elasmobranch conservation

Bitalo, Daphne Nyachaki (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) are highly exploited world-wide and more vulnerable than most teleosts due to their life history traits (e.g. late age at maturity, low fecundity and slow growth). ...

Functional roles of raffinose family oligosaccharides: Arabidopsis case studies in seed physiology, biotic stress and novel carbohydrate engineering

Loedolff, Bianke (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The raffinose family of oligosaccharides (RFOs) are α1,6-galactosyl extensions of sucrose (Suc-Galn) unique to the plant kingdom. Their biosynthesis is mediated via α1,6-galactosyltransferases which ...

Identification of SNPs associated with robustness and greater reproductive success in the South African merino sheep using SNP chip technology

Sandenbergh, Lise (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Reproduction and robustness traits are integral in ensuring sustainable, efficient and profitable sheep farming. Increases in genetic gain of reproduction and robustness traits are however, hampered by ...

Mapping and survey sequencing of Dn resistance genes in Triticum aestivum L.

Bierman, Anandi (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-03)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Diuraphis noxia Kurdjumov (Russian Wheat Aphid; RWA) is a pest of wheat and barley that has spread from its home range in the fertile crescent to most wheat producing countries except Australia. Since ...

Small RNA profiling of virus-infected apple plants

Visser, Marike (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) is globally associated with latent infection in commercial apple trees. Little is known about this plant-‐virus interaction. This study made use of next-‐generation ...

Elucidating functional interactions between the Russian wheat aphid (D. noxia Kurjumov) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Schultz, Thia (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-12)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia, Kurdj., Hemipetra, Aphididae, RWA) is an important pest of wheat, causing large-scale damage and yield losses. Various studies have been done at a transcriptomics ...

The evolutionary history of the genus Seriola and the phylogeography and genetic diversity of S. lalandi (yellowtail) across its distribution range

Swart, Belinda Louisa (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04)

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The genus Seriola includes several important commercial fish species, yet the phylogenetic relationships between species have not been fully investigated to date. This study reports the first molecular ...