Quite early on during my training years I was introduced to the field of Vaccinology. At that point in time I was training to be a Molecular Microbiologist at the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, UFS. My research was focused on an avian pathogen, Avibacterium paragallinarum. With the use of genetic tools we aimed to identify immunogenic cell receptors that would be plausible candidates for vaccine production. One of the tools employed was whole genome sequencing using the 454 sequencing approach. From thereon I moved to the field of Virology at the UFS. Here the focus of my research was mainly HIV-genotyping and to a lesser extent Human Papilloma Virus.

Thereafter I spend some time at a Contract Research Organization (ClinVet International, Pty Ltd) where the focus was diseases transmitted through ecto- and endoparasites. I formed part of a team who designed and setup a complete new BSLIII Genetic Laboratory according to international standards. Genetic tools such as Real-Time Polymerase Chain reaction and Sanger sequencing was used to identify disease causing micro-organisms carried by ecto-parasites and diagnosis of disease. I spent a year at the Division of Human Genetics, University of Cape Town where my training included human genetic diseases and ethical processes.

I joined the National Control Laboratory in 2013. Currently we are setting up a new Molecular Laboratory within the current facility. It is a new day for the field of vaccinology and I am very excited to apply these techniques to vaccine batch release testing.

Articles

Roodt Y, Brag RR, and J Albertyn (2012).Identification of Prophages and Prophage Remnants within the Genome of Avibacterium paragallinarum Bacterium. Sequencing 2012.

Combrinck CE, Seedat RY, Randall C, Roodt Y and FJ Burt (2011). Novel HPV-6 variants of Human Papillomavirus causing recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in Southern Africa. Epidemiology and Infection 140(6): 1095-1101.

Roodt Y, Brag RR, and J Albertyn (2007).The cloning and sequencing of the UDP-galactose 4-epimerase gene (gale) from Avibacterium paragallinarum. DNA Sequencing 18(4): 265-268.

Posters

Roodt, Y., Bragg, RR and Albertyn, J. (2006).  Virulence Properties of Avibacterium paragallinarum.  South African Society for Microbiology conference, Pretoria, 2006.

Presentations

Y. Roodt; R.R. Bragg; A. Ismail & J. Albertyn (2008).  Whole genome sequencing of A. paragallinarum through the use of GS-Technology.  South African Society for Microbiology conference, Grahamstown, South Africa.%