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MS (Martie) Smit (Professor; Departmental
Chairperson ) |
| Discipline: |
Microbiology |
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Research field:
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Biocatalysis using yeasts, specifically biotransformations catalysed by cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenases in yeasts, wild type yeasts, as well as genetically-engineered yeasts.
E: smitms@ufs.ac.za
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Stephanus G Kilian (Professor) |
| Discipline: |
Microbiology |
| Research field: |
Microbial physiology and its application to microbial product formation. Recent activities include investigations into the production of prebiotics by yeasts and their use to modulate the intestinal microbiota of humans and animals.
E: kiliansg@ufs.ac.za
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James C du Preez (Professor Emeritus and Research Fellow)
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| Discipline: |
Microbiology |
| Research field: |
Fermentation biotechnology, with a special interest in continuous cultures, yeast physiology and the production of biofuels, metabolites and enzymes by yeasts, filamentous fungi, and bacteria including metabolically-engineered micro-organisms.
E: dpreezjc@gmail.com
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Robert R Bragg (Professor) |
| Discipline: |
Microbiology |
| Research field: |
Control of avian and fish diseases, particularly in a post-antibiotic era is my main research interest. This involves improvement in biosecurity and disinfection, development of novel, expression-based vaccines and investigation of other options such as bacteriophage therapy and the use of expressed phage enzymes for control of bacterial infections. The control of infectious coryza caused by Avibaterium paragallinarum is my main focus area. Understanding the methods of virulence and the role that bacteriophages can play in this pathogen, is the current focus area. We are also investigating novel molecular-based systems for the characterisation of different strains which correlate to the serology of the bacteria.
E: BraggRR@ufs.ac.za
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Bennie C Viljoen (Professor) |
| Discipline: |
Microbiology |
| Research field: |
Food Biotechnology, specialising in the characterisation of foodborne yeasts, their taxonomical status, ecological advantages or disadvantages, and the possible application of these strains in the food industry.
E: viljoenbc@ufs.ac.za
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J (Koos) Albertyn (Professor) |
| Discipline: |
Microbiology |
| Research field: |
Application of molecular biology in microbial physiology and taxonomy. Activities include the study of alkane and ethanol metabolism in yeasts as well as heterologous expression of different enzymes in yeast for industrial application.
E: albertynj@ufs.ac.za
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Esta van Heerden (Professor) |
| Discipline: |
Biochemistry |
| Research field: |
Protein chemistry and kinetics of enzymes/proteins from extreme environments. This includes the purification, properties, molecular biology, and application in bioremediation.
E: vheerde@ufs.ac.za
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Carlien Pohl-Albertyn (Professor) |
| Discipline: |
Bioactive lipids of pathogenic yeasts. This includes production and biological role of oxylipins as well as antifungal fatty acids and their mechanisms of action.
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| Research field: |
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Charlotte van Jaarsveld (Lecturer) |
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Discipline:
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Biochemistry
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Research field:
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I investigate the molecular basis of the development of clinical signs in chickens infected with Avibacterium paragallinarum. I use micro-array technology to investigate the genes in the chicken which are involved in the development of clinical signs of Infectious Coryza.
E: boucherc@ufs.ac.za
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Dirk Opperman (Senior Lecturer) |
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Discipline:
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Biochemistry
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Research field:
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Structural and evolutionary biology. Protein structure determination by X-ray crystallography (macromolecular crystallography) and the evolution (natural and directed) of specific biocatalysts, including the Baeyer-Villiger mono-oxygenases.
E: opperdj@ufs.ac.za
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Olihile Sebolai (Senior Lecturer) |
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Discipline:
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Microbiology
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Research field:
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I have an interest in microbial pathogenesis, where mechanisms utilised by pathogens in causing infections are investigated. Also, I have an interest in treatment therapy, where new targets for drug development are screened. Lastly, epidemiological studies, where the scope and extent of infections and associated mortality are mapped. Biochemical, microbiological, molecular, patho-biological, and surveillance approaches are employed to answer questions related to these areas.
E: sebolaiom@ufs.ac.za
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Du Toit Schabort (Junior Lecturer) |
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Discipline:
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Biochemistry
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Research field:
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Systems biology and bioinformatics. Aspects include 13C-metabolic flux analysis, detailed kinetic modelling, high-throughput DNA sequencing, bio-informatics and software development for these disciplines. Current focus is on application of systems biology and DNA-sequencing tools to metabolic engineering of yeast metabolism for bio-ethanol production from (hemi-)cellulosic feedstocks (fermentation).
E: schabortdwp@ufs.ac.za
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Laurinda Steyn (Researcher) |
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Discipline:
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Microbiology
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Research field:
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Fermentation biotechnology: Continuous, batch and fed-batch cultivation for exploring yeast physiology and production of metabolites such as bio-ethanol. Use of automation and computer programmes for data management and constructing graphs and statistical analyses.
E: steynl@ufs.ac.za
CV
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Gabre Kemp (Researcher) |
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Discipline:
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Biochemistry
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Research field:
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Responsible for the SCIEX 4000 QTRAP LCMSMS in the use of protein identification using nano-LC. Specialising in water analyses for organic contaminants like pesticides and pharmaceuticals through the use of LCMSMS. For information about this service, please visit www.liquidtech.co.za
E: kempg@ufs.ac.za
CV
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Frans H O’Neill (Senior Lecturer) |
Discipline:
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Biochemistry |
| Research field: |
Cellular detoxification and sterol metabolism. Current research is focused on better understanding of GLYAT, an enzyme in the 2nd phase of detoxification that may ultimately be utilised in personalised medicine. I also have an interest in sterol metabolism, specifically plant sterol metabolism in animals.
E: oneillfh@ufs.ac.za
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HG (Trudi) O’Neill (Senior Lecturer) |
| Discipline: |
Biochemistry |
| Research field: |
Molecular virology with special interest in gastroenteritis-causing viruses. Current research focuses on rotavirus vaccine development, including both live and non-live vaccine approaches. Non-live approach involves production of viral particles in yeast, while the live approach involves the development of a helper virus-free rotavirus reverse genetics system.
E: oneillhg@ufs.ac.za
CV
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