I completed my BSc in Human Genetics at the end of 2006 my honours degree in 2007 in Genetics both with distinctions.  In 2008 I enrolled for a Masters Degree in Genetics at UP under the supervision of Prof. AA Myburg.  I am a student in the Forestry and Molecular Genetics (FMG) Programme and also a part of the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI).  The main focus of the FMG Programme is the study of wood properties and quality traits, specifically with a focus on the hardwood genera Eucalyptus. 

The overall aim of this Masters project is to characterise the Eucalyptus transcriptome through an analysis of the gene expression patterns in different Eucalyptus tissues.  The first aim is to perform whole-tree expression profiling in eight different Eucalyptus tissues.  Two species will be profiled for this aim namely E.grandis and the hybrid E.grandis/urophylla. 

The second aim is to perform expression profiling using a tension wood induction bending trial on E.grandis/urophylla.  The comparison of the altered system of tension wood formation and normal wood formation can give new insight into the process of xylogenesis. 

This study will be addressed with the Digital Gene Expression (DGE) profiling application of the next-generation Solexa sequencing technology.  Studying the expression patterns with DGE will enable the construction of a global and deep expression profile in the diferent Eucalyptus tissues.  This study will enable the identification of genes, gene family members and biosynthetic pathways active in normal and tension wood tissues.  Finally identification of co-regulated gene sets will aid in the identification of transcriptional regulators involved in growth and development.