Mr Francois Boshoff

MSc Student
DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology

Research Interests

I joined FABI in 2008 after having completed my undergraduate as well as honours degree in Biochemistry. I am part of the Microbial Diversity and Evolution Group and my supervisor is Dr. Emma Steenkamp.

My research interest involves the investigation of diversity of  Bradyrhizobium species associated with native and non-native Acacia species.  These bacteria are involved in the symbiotic nitrogen fixation whereby atmospheric nitrogen is fixed in the form of ammonia - a nitrogen source usable by the legume partner. Studying the identity, population biology and diversity of these bacteria will improve our understanding of  their symbiotic relationships and evolution.