Mr Mmoledi Mphahlele

MSc Student

Research Interests

I am currently studying towards a M.Sc. (Agric) degree in Genetics at the University of Pretoria. My research interest focuses on the metabolic pathway that directs photosynthetic sucrose carbon towards cellulose biosynthesis into secondary xylem sink tissue. Site-directed mutagenesis and Agrobacterium-mediated  gene transformation techniques will be used, to overexpress targeted genes under facultative (35S) promoter and secondary cell wall tissue specific promoters in Arabidopsis. The interest with such a study is to direct carbon towards increased cellulose production, which is important for the pulp and paper industry, and a better understanding regarding carbon partitioning and carbon fluxing metabolism. The reserch focus is important to the continous awareness regarding biofeul develoment and sustainability through cellulosic ethanol.

Poster and Presentaion

Mmoledi MPHAHLELE, Honghai ZHOU, Martin RANIK, Shawn MANSFIELD, Alexander MYBURG. Functional genetic analysis of the Eucalyptus gunnii Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductase (EUCCR) gene in the irx4 mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana. IUFRO Tree Biotechnology. Azores. Portugal. Ponta Delgada, 2 – 8 June 2007

 

Mmoledi MPHAHLELE, Honghai ZHOU, Martin RANIK, Shawn MANSFIELD, Alexander MYBURG. Overexpression of the Eucalyptus gunnii cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (EUCCR) gene in wild type and irx4 mutant Arabidopsis thaliana plants. IUFRO working Group 2.08.03. “Eucalyptus and Diversity: Balancing Productivity and Sustainability. International Conference Centre, South Africa, Durban,  22-26 October 2007