Mr Dirk Swanevelder
PhD Student
Research Interests
I’m currently enrolled for a PhD in Genetics under the supervision of Professor A-M Oberholster (Cereal Genomic Research Group) and Dr. E Venter (University of Johannesburg). In this
study we’re investigating the relationship between the Russian Wheat Aphid (Diuraphis noxia), Buchnera aphidicola (aphid endosymbiont) and wheat. We focus specifically on
the involvement of the endosymbiont, B. aphidicola, in the development of new RWA biotypes and look at the various biological pathways employed by different wheat cultivars in
response to RWA attack. Our aim is to better understand the molecular bases of RWA resistance in wheat as conveyed by different resistant genes.
I am interested in any scientific challenge, from bioinformatics to experimental work. I like to investigate new problems and help find solutions. Genetic manipulation of plants (and other
organisms), gene silencing of the colour pathway genes, metabolite over expression, pattern manipulation, etc. is of great interest to me.
Other Interests
