Dr Andi Wilson
| Postdoctoral Fellow | |
Department |
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Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology |
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| Full CV | |
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I first joined FABI in 2011 as a mentorship student in the CTHB Mentorship Program. I was in the second year of my BSc: Human Genetics degree and wanted to experience “real” lab work. During my two years in the mentorship program, I was mentored by Dr David Read and Dr Markus Wilken, both now postdoctoral researchers in FABI. I was immediately sold on research, science and the FABI ethos and community.
And so began my career as an -ist: a scientist, a biologist, a geneticist, and (occasionally) a mycologist. Ten years later, FABI has seen me through my BSc(Honours), MSc and PhD degrees, and I have joined my mentors as a postdoctoral researcher and mentor in the program that started it all.
As cliché as it sounds, my passion for science is rooted in my inquisitive nature and fascination with how the world works. There is nothing like the thrill (and frustration) of figuring out how something works- especially if you’re the first to work it out. Being a scientist means I get to go to work every day and discover new things, develop exciting techniques for understanding our world and slowly push the boundaries of our collective knowledge.
“I am among those who think that science has great beauty. A scientist in [her] laboratory is not only a technician: [she] is also a child placed before natural phenomena which impress [her] like a fairy tale.” ~ Marie Curie
Current research
My research has been focused on the genes involved in sexual reproduction of a number of fungal pathogens and saprobes. While I focused on a single species of the Ceratocystis genus in my Honours degree, I worked on two species belonging to the related genus, Huntiella, in my Masters and PhD degrees.
The availability of draft genome assemblies for the species I have worked on has aided in the research I have done on the mating of these species. Mining for the Mating Type genes in these genomes and the subsequent comparison of these genes across different species formed a large part of my Master's degree. As part of my research, we produced a significant amount of RNA-Seq data to complement the genomic data we have. This has helped us identify potentially important pathways involved in the sexual development pathway of these species.
A large part of my PhD was the development of a genome editing protocol for use in these species. This newly-established protocol has been used to begin the functional characterization of MAT1-2-7, a mating gene thought to be involved in unisexuality in these species. We intend to use this protocol in a variety of species in this fungal family to elucidate the functions of genes thought to be involved in host specificity, pathogenicity, mating and growth.
Species of the Ceratocystidaceae employ a wide range of interesting and unique sexual strategies and thus represent a fantastic group of fungi in which to research mating. Their deviations from the norm allow for comparisons that ultimately lead to a better understanding of sex in fungi in general and the evolution behind this very complicated process. In addition to describing heterothallic and unisexual species, we have recently discovered a homothallic species as well. This has allowed us to compare the genes that underlie different forms of sexual reproduction in this genus.
Awards & Scholarships
LÓréal For Women in Science Award
Awards
2018: Travel Award (WhiteSci Travel Awards Scheme)
2018: Travel Award (Genes Journal)
2018: Best PhD Presentation (South African Society of Microbiology)
2017: FABIan of the year (FABI)
2017: Woman in Science: PhD Fellowship (Department of Science & Technology)
2016: Best MSc Student of 2015/16 (FABI)
2016: Mentorship Award (FABI)
2016: Merit Certificate for Academics for MSc: Genetics Degree (University of Pretoria)
2014: Academic Honorary Colours for BSc(Hons): Human Genetics (University of Pretoria)
Scholarships
2019: Scarce Skills Extension Scholarship for Doctoral Students (National Research Foundation)
2017-2018: Scarce Skills Scholarship for Doctoral Students (National Research Foundation)
2017: Study Abroad Bursary (University of Pretoria)
2017: PhD Student Bursary (University of Pretoria)
2016: Grantholder Linked Bursary for Master’s Students (National Research Foundation)
Conference Attendance
Pheromone expression in the unisexual fungus, Huntiella moniliformis
A.M. Wilson, P.M. Wilken, M.A. van der Nest, M.J. Wingfield & B.D. Wingfield
International Congress of Plant Pathology
Hynes Convention Center
United States of America
2018
Poster Presentation
Characterization of MAT1-2-7: a novel MAT gene in the wood-infecting fungus Huntiella omanensis
A.M. Wilson, P.M. Wilken, M.A. van der Nest, M.J. Wingfield & B.D. Wingfield
International Congress of Plant Pathology
Hynes Convention Center
United States of America
2018
Poster Presentation
Characterization of MAT1-2-7; a novel mating gene in Huntiella omanensis
A.M. Wilson, P.M. Wilken, M.A. van der Nest, M.J. Wingfield & B.D. Wingfield
South African Society of Microbiology Congress
Mulder's Drift
South Africa
2018
Oral Presentation
Best PhD Oral Presentation
Unpacking the Molecular Mechanism behind Unisexual Reproduction in Huntiella moniliformis
A.M. Wilson, P.M. Wilken, M.A. van der Nest, M.J. Wingfield & B.D. Wingfield
Life Science Symposium
Pennsylvania State University
United States of America
2017
Poster Presentation
Unpacking the Molecular Mechanism behind Unisexual Reproduction in Huntiella moniliformis
A.M. Wilson, P.M. Wilken, M.A. van der Nest, M.J. Wingfield & B.D. Wingfield
Fungal Genetics Conference
California
United States of America
2017
Oral & Poster Presentations
Understanding Unisexual Reproduction in Huntiella moniliformis
Wilson, A. M., M. A. van der Nest, P. M. Wilken, M. J. Wingfield and B. D. Wingfield
South African Genetics Society/South African Society of Bioinformatics Congress
Durban
South Africa
2016
Oral Presentation
Unisexual Reproduction in Huntiella moniliformis
Wilson, A.M., P.M. Wilken, M.A. Van der Nest, M.J. Wingfield and B.D. Wingfield
Fungal Genetics Conference
California
United States of America
2015
Poster Presentation
Characterization of the MAT Locus in the saprobe Huntiella omanensis
Wilson, A.M., P.M. Wilken, M.A. Van der Nest, M.J. Wingfield and B.D. Wingfield
South African Association of Botanists Congress
Venda
South Africa
2015
Poster Presentation
Characterization of the MAT Locus in the saprobe Huntiella omanensis
Wilson, A.M., P.M. Wilken, M.A. Van der Nest, M.J. Wingfield and B.D. Wingfield
South African Society for Plant Pathology
Bloemfontein
South Africa
2015
Poster Presentation
Memberships to Associations & Societies
2020: Mycological Society of America
2018 - Current: American Genetics Society
2018 - Current: South African Society of Microbiology
2017 - Current: CTHB Mentorship Programme Panel
2017 - Current: South African Genetics Society
2010 - Current: Golden Key Honours Society
2016 - 2018: Postgraduate Student Association of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
2014 & 2018: FABI Social Club
2010 - 2011: TuksVillage Residence Management Committee
My Galeries
News
Andi Wilson has become the 15th FABIan to successfully complete their PhD, thereby closing off a remarkable year for the Institute.
In March 2018 four FABIans won prizes at the South African Society of Microbiology Congress.
In an effort to nudge a few people in the right direction, PhD candidate Andi Wilson has started a writing club in FABI.
Professor Fanus Venter and the University of Pretoria hosted the South African Society of Microbiology (SASM) conference from 4-7 April at the Misty Hills Hotel and Conference Centre in Muldersdrift. Many FABIans attended, presenting a total of eight posters and eight oral presentations. (Photos by Kinosha Moodley, Andi Wilson, Claudette Dewing, Bernard Slippers and Dineo Mailula)
The South African Women in Science Awards ceremony and gala dinner - one of South Africa’s premier Science events of the year, was held at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton on 17 August.
Eight FABIans served on the judging panel of the North Gauteng Senior Science Fair at the University of Pretoria’s LC de Villiers Sports Campus on 18 August.
FABI PhD student Andi Wilson relates her experiences while on a two month research visit to Department of Plant Pathology at Pennsylvania State University.
My Journal Articles
| Publication |
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Wilson AM, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2023) Structure and number of mating pheromone genes is closely linked to sexual reproductive strategy in Huntiella. BMC Genomics 24:261.
10.1186/s12864-023-09355-9  |
| Wilson AM, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2022) Truncation of MAT1-2-7 deregulates developmental pathways associated with sexual reproduction in Huntiella omanensis. Microbiology Spectrum 10(5)
10.1128/spectrum.01425-22 |
| Wingfield BD, De Vos L, Wilson AM, Duong AT, Vaghefi N, Botes A, Kharwar RN, Chand R, Poudel B, Aliyu H, Barbetti MJ, Chen S, de Maayer P, Liu F, Navathe S, Sinha S, Steenkamp ET, Suzuki H, Tshisekedi KA, van der Nest MA, Wingfield MJ. (2022) Draft genome assemblies of Fusarium marasasianum, Huntiella abstrusa, two Immersiporthe knoxdaviesiana isolates, Macrophomina pseudophaseolina, Macrophomina phaseolina, Naganishia randhawae, and Pseudocercospora cruenta. IMA Fungus 13(1):3.
10.1186/s43008-022-00089-z |
| Wilson AM, Wilken PM, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2021) Genetic networks that govern sexual reproduction in the Pezizomycotina. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews 85(4):e00020-21.
10.1128/MMBR.00020-21. |
| Wilson AM, Lelwala RV, Taylor PWJ, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2021) Unique patterns of mating pheromone presence and absence could result in the ambiguous sexual behaviors of Colletotrichum species. G3 Gene|Genomes|Genetics :jkab187.
10.1093/g3journal/jkab187 |
| Wilson AM, Gabriel R, Singer SW, Schuerg T, Wilken PM, van der Nest MA, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2021) Doing it alone: Unisexual reproduction in filamentous ascomycete fungi. Fungal Biology Reviews 35:1-13.
10.1016/j.fbr.2020.12.003 |
| Wilson AM, Wilken PM, van der Nest MA, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2020) The novel Huntiella omanensis mating gene, MAT1-2-7, is essential for ascomatal maturation. Fungal Genetics & Biology 137:103335.
10.1016/j.fgb.2020.103335 |
| Wilson AM, Wingfield BD. (2020) CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing in the Filamentous Ascomycete Huntiella omanensis. Journal of Visualized Experiments :e61367.
10.3791/61367 |
| Wilson AM, van der Nest MA, Wilken PM, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2019) It’s All in the Genes: The Regulatory Pathways of Sexual Reproduction in Filamentous Ascomycetes. Genes 10(5):330.
10.3390/genes10050330 |
| Liu FF, Li GQ, Roux J, Barnes I, Wilson AM, Wingfield MJ, Chen SF. (2018) Nine novel species of Huntiella from southern China with three distinct mating strategies and variable levels of pathogenicity. Mycologia 110:1145-1171.
10.1080/00275514.2018.1515450 |
| Marin-Felix Y, Hernandez-Restrepo M, Wingfield M, Akulov A, Carnegie A, Cheewangkoon R, Gramaje D, Groenewald J, Guarnaccia V, Halleen F, Lombard L, Luangsaard J, Marincowitz S, Moslemi A, Mostert L, Quaedvlieg W, Schumacher R, Spies C, Thangavel R, Taylor P, Wilson A, Wingfield B, Wood A, Crous P. (2018) Genera of phytopathogenic fungi: GOPHY 2. Studies in Mycology 92:47-133.
10.1016/j.simyco.2018.04.002 |
| Wilson A, Van der Nest M, Wilken P, Wingfield M, Wingfield B. (2018) Pheromone expression reveals putative mechanism of unisexuality in a saprobic ascomycete fungus. PLOS One 13(3):e0192517.
10.1371/journal.pone.0192517 |
| Wingfield BD, Duong TA, Hammerbacher A, van der Nest MA, Wilson A, Chang R, de Beer ZW, Steenkamp ET, Wilken PM, Naidoo K, Wingfield MJ. (2016) IMA Genome-F 7 Draft genome sequences for Ceratocystis fagacearum, C. harringtonii, Grosmannia penicillata, and Huntiella bhutanensis. IMA Fungus 7(2):317-323.
10.5598/imafungus.2016.07.02.11 |
| Wilson AM, Wilken PM, van der Nest MA, Steenkamp ET, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2015) Homothallism: An umbrella term for describing diverse sexual behaviours. IMA Fungus 6(1):207-214.
10.5598/imafungus.2015.06.01.13 |
 Wilson AM, Godlonton T, van der Nest MA, Wilken PM, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2015) Unisexual Reproduction in Huntiella moniliformis. Fungal Genetics and Biology 80:1-9.
10.1016/j.fgb.2015.04.008 |
| Van der Nest MA, Beirn LA, Crouch JA, Demers JE, De Beer ZW, De Vos L, Gordon TR, Moncalvo JM, Naidoo K, Sanchez-Ramirez S, Roodt D, Santana QC, Slinksi SL, Stata M, Taerum SJ, Wilken PM, Wilson AM, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2014) Draft genomes of Amanita jacksonii, Ceratocystis albifundus, Fusarium circinatum, Huntiella omanensis, Leptographium procerum, Rutstroemia sydowiana, and Sclerotinia echinophila. IMA Fungus 5(2):473-486.
10.5598/imafungus.2014.05.02.11 |
| Van der Nest MA, Bihon W, De Vos L, Naidoo K, Roodt D, Rubagotti E, Slippers B, Steenkamp ET, Wilken PM, Wilson A, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2014) Draft genome sequences of Diplodia sapinea, Ceratocystis manginecans, and Ceratocystis moniliformis. IMA Fungus 5(1):135-140.
10.5598/imafungus.2014.05.01.13 |
My News and Views Articles
| Publication |
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| Wilson A. (2018) Sex: birds do it, bees do it - and fungi do it too. Here’s how, and why it matters. The Conversation
http://bit.ly/2FRSdhH |