Ms Chanel Thomas
| PhD student | |
Department |
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Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology |
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| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
My Supervisor/s
| Primary Supervisor | |
| Markus Wilken | |
Co Supervisor |
|
| Martin Coetzee | |
| Cobus Visagie | |
| Brenda Wingfield |
I joined FABI in 2021 to pursue my BSc honours degree in Genetics under the supervision of Dr Markus Wilken. My honours research investigated the mating strategies of species within the genus Sclerotinia, with a particular focus on the mating-type (MAT) locus that governs sexual compatibility.
My MSc dissertation, entitled “Reconsidering the taxonomy of Sclerotinia with special reference to S. sclerotiorum”, was completed under the supervision of Dr Markus Wilken, Prof Cobus Visagie, and Prof Martin Coetzee. This project explored the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Sclerotinia and included sequencing the nearly 190-year-old type specimen of S. sclerotiorum to establish a robust taxonomic reference.
Currently, I am a second-year PhD candidate in the Grain Research Programme. My doctoral research continues to focus on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, using population genomics and transcriptomics to investigate its population structure, the dynamics of transposable elements, and the molecular basis of pathogenicity across global and South African populations.
News
FABI celebrated the completion of training of 18 mentorship students in the CPHB and TPCP.
FABI is proud of the 19 graduates being capped at the University of Pretoria’s Spring Graduation Ceremony.
The GRP @FABI-UP's pest and disease extension and diagnostic clinic looks back on another successful year serving South African grain and oilseed producers.
My Journal Articles
| Publication |
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| Aylward J, Wilson AM, Visagie CM, Spraker J, Barnes I, Buitendag C, Ceriani C, Del Mar Angel L, du Plessis D, Fuchs T, Gasser K, Krämer D, Li W, Munsamy K, Piso A, Price J-L, Sonnekus B, Thomas C, van der Nest A, van Dijk A, van Heerden A, van Vuuren N, Yilmaz N, Duong TA, van der Merwe NA, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2024) IMA Genome – F19: A genome assembly and annotation guide to empower mycologists, including annotated draft genome sequences of Ceratocystis pirilliformis, Diaporthe australafricana, Fusarium ophioides, Paecilomyces lecythidis, and Sporothrix stenoceras. IMA Fungus 15(1):12.
10.1186/s43008-024-00142-z |
| Bornman S, Thomas C, Ntladi S, Wilken PM. (2024) Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot on peanut (groundnut) in South Africa. Australasian Plant Disease Notes 19
10.1007/s13314-024-00537-2 |
| Wingfield BD, Berger DK, Coetzee MPA, Duong TA, Martin A, Pham NQ, Van den Berg N, Wilken PM, Arun-Chinnappa KS, Barnes I, Buthelezi S, Dahanayaka BA, Durán A, Engelbrecht J, Feurtey A, Fourie A, Fourie G, Hartley J, Kabwe ENK, Maphosa M, Narh Mensah DL, Nsibo DL, Potgieter L, Poudel B, Stukenbrock EH, Thomas C, Vaghefi N, Welgemoed T, Wingfield MJ. (2022) IMA genome‑F17 Draft genome sequences of an Armillaria species from Zimbabwe, Ceratocystis colombiana, Elsinoë necatrix, Rosellinia necatrix, two genomes of Sclerotinia minor, short‑read genome assemblies and annotations of four Pyrenophora teres isolates from barley grass, and a long-read genome assembly of Cercospora zeina. 13:19.
10.1186/s43008-022-00104-3 |