As we approach the end of the academic year, we were happy to receive Prof. Florence Hommais and her PhD student, Ms. Sara Moutacharrif (both from University of Lyon 1) for a research visit at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM) at the University of Pretoria, in the laboratory of Prof. Lucy Moleleki.

The week kicked off with a joint FABI Monday Morning Meeting and Southern African Society of Plant Pathology (SASPP) seminar delivered by Prof. Hommais ‘Virulence regulatory network of Dickeya dadantii: What is the role of post-transcriptional regulation?’. The hybrid seminar was well attended with many members of FABI attending in person and many SASPP members attending virtually. The SASPP northern branch representative Dr Khumbuzile Bophela coordinated the SASPP part of the seminar. Their visit presents a valuable networking opportunity between the French and South African collaborators.

For the remainder of the week, Sara, Celiwe Nxumalo (PhD candidate at University of Pretoria) and Dr Silindile Maphosa (Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pretoria) conducted experiments in the laboratory. Their work focused on the isolation of bacteria vesicles and in the future, we aim to identify sRNA cargo that is trafficked by these vesicles. The two PIs had discussions on funding avenues that could enable continuation of the research.

Photo caption:

Ms. Celiwe Nxumalo and Prof. Lucy Moleleki (FABI), Prof. Florence Hommais and Ms. Sara Moutachariff (University of Lyon 1) Dr Silindile Maphosa and Mr Lukhanyo Makhabane (University of Pretoria).