Grain Research Programme field trip to the Eastern Cape

Three researchers from the FABI Grain Research Programme, Dr David Nsibo, Dr Godfrey Kgatle and PhD candidate Pfano Mbedzi, visited farms in the Eastern Cape from 12-17 July.

FABI mycologists participate in the annual MSA meeting: Mycology in the cloud

FABI students and their co-authors contributed 37 posters/graphical abstracts of the 157 of these presentations at the MSA conference.

The first JOVE video shoot in Africa

Four FABIans (Vinolia Danki, Dr Tuan Duong, Dr Andi Wilson and Prof. Andi and Brenda were joined in the making of the video by Tuan and Vinolia.

FABIans uphold SPOOF tradition with an historic virtual meeting

For the first time in its 23-year history, FABI hosted a virtual Society for the Presentation of Outrageous Findings (SPOOF) event on 17 July. FABIans submitted nine pre-recorded videos, which in the spirit of the time, reflected the lighter moments of a nation under lockdown. The Gene Jockeys took the prize for the Best Abstract (with the subliminal message “Vote for us. FABI Director Prof.

Students and staff of CERC and FABI celebrate the PhD defense of JieQiong Li

JieQiong Li marked the completion of her PhD study by presenting a prestige seminar (thesis defense) on 17 July.

Fieldwork during a pandemic

FABI Director, Prof. Bernard Slippers along with Prof. Brett Hurley and Darryl Herron embarked on a field trip to the southern Cape during the week of 29 June.

‘Fake news’ in the COVID-19 pandemic

Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University of Pretoria Professor Tawana Kupe joined FABIans at the Monday Morning Meeting on 13 July for a discussion on ‘fake news’ in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Phytophthora disease resistance trials continue

FABI’s Dr Tanay Bose, a postdoctoral Fellow under the TPCP and in partnership with Sappi Forests has been running Phytophthora disease resistance trials for identifying tolerant Eucalyptus clones.

Dr Osmond Mlonyeni appointed as a Trustee of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation

FABI was delighted to learn that a colleague and Manager for Partnerships and Programs for Innovation at Future Africa, Dr Osmond Mlonyeni has been appointed as a Trustee of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. The Trustees of the MRF officially welcomed him at the annual Board meeting held on 8 June. Osmond is an alumnus of FABI at the University of Pretoria where he completed both MSc and PhD degrees and he remains deeply involved in the activities of FABI.

Dr Matthew Kasson presents the second FABI International Seminar

FABI’s second monthly International Seminar had Assistant Professor of Forest Pathology at West Virginia University Dr Matthew Kasson present a talk entitled: Deciphering fungus-arthropod interactions: from ambrosia fungi to cicada-killing “Zygomycetes".

Scientists warn of increasing threats posed by invasive alien species

orestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) founding Director and immediate past IUFRO President Prof. Mike Wingfield joined a global group of invasion biologists to compile an important study warning of the threats posed by invasive alien species.

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In the latest issue of the magazine Pula Imvula, Dr Mahlane Godfrey Kgatle a postdoctoral Fellow at FABI has authored an article on crop rotation and its importance as part of a disease management strategy.

Fungi in FABI lockdown! Discovering unexpected and hidden mycological gems

As we move to more relaxed lockdown regulations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools, businesses and offices are starting to re-open. Recently, a leatherwear and accessory store in Malaysia reopened their doors after two months of lockdown, only to find fungi growing on all their products.

#LockdownSA: Boldly going back to the spaces we enjoy

After what felt like an eternity in lockdown, FABI and the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) were finally able to send their first team back into the field. Field work, like space exploration, allows us to collect data and samples, establish important trials and gives us the opportunity to educate as we work. The expedition to Mpumalanga was a success. We are especially thankful to Forestry South Africa and the University of Pretoria for providing permits for us to continue with field trips.

Why it’s so critical to continuously monitor and manage plant diseases

Why it’s so critical to continuously monitor and manage plant diseases.

Stephanie van Wyk becomes the first FABIan to present her Prestige Seminar online

FABI congratulates Stephanie van Wyk who presented her PhD prestige seminar and thesis defence on 2 June, the first FABIAN to do so using the online meeting platform, Zoom.

First online stage gate meetings at FABI

Postgraduate research activities have continued at FABI despite the COVID-19 lockdown. FABI has recently been allowed to partially open its doors and resume research activities.

Professor Bernard Slippers awarded the prestigious Havenga Prize for Natural Sciences

The FABI team was delighted to hear that the Institute Director Prof. The award recognises Prof.

FABI maintains science engagement with research community through the FABI International Seminar Series

FABI launched its first virtual International Seminar Series on 28 May, with more than 160 participants from 20 countries around the world tuning in. Dr Joey Tanney, a research scientist at the Pacific Forestry Centre in Canada, kick-started the series with his seminar “Endophyte insights: Modulating tree microbiomes and the new paradigm of forest tree health”. The FABI International Seminar Series is co-ordinated by Prof.

Two FABIans among 17 FameLab SA finalists

Two FABI PhD candidates are among 17 young science communicators from South African universities who will compete for a place in the FameLab International Finals scheduled for October. The FameLab SA finals will be held at a future date ahead of the international contest scheduled for October.

FABI's Blanket Drive brings warmth to the community

FABIans opened their hearts and wallets in April and collected more than R11,000 to buy blankets for community organisations in Tembisa, east of Johannesburg.

Introductory Microsatellite Workshop hosted online during lockdown

The DNA Sanger Sequencing facility at the University of Pretoria (UP) hosted an annual in-house Introductory Microsatellite Workshop (IMW) for UP postgraduate students and staff from 4-11 May 2020.

Donating re-usable cloth face masks for the children at Steve Biko hospital

With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, many hospitals are running low on personal protective equipment, not only for their staff but also for their incoming patients. If anyone would like to contribute to this good cause, please contact FABI Deputy Director Prof.

Big data, biotechnology and the future of tree health management at FABI

Harnessing the rapid advances in biotechnology and ‘big-data’ processing will open up new possibilities for future tree health management.

Panel discusses the merits of ongoing monitoring in tree health research at the annual meeting of the TPCP and CPHB

Members of a panel highlighted the essential contributions of fundamental research in efforts to maintain healthy plantation of trees.

Reflections on the application of fundamental research to keep plantation trees healthy

Professor Brett Hurley illustrated how fundamental research had the laid the foundation for the application of management practices for new and established pests and pathogens of plantation-grown forest trees South Africa.

The Tree Protection Co-operative Programme: 31 years of serving the forestry industry

The situation the world’s population currently finds itself in with the global-spread of the COVID-19 virus – just one invisible pathogen - bears direct parallels to the research work that has been done in the TPCP over the past 31 years in combatting plantation tree pests and diseases.

Tree health in a changing world: planning for the ‘New Normal’

Climate change is an undisputed challenge to commercial forestry worldwide. It brings with it changes not only to the environment but also the opportunity for pests and diseases to colonize new areas, previously unsuitable for their survival.

FABI’s first ‘virtual’ symposium successfully connects academia-industry-government networks

The 31st Annual meeting of the TPC and CPHB in FABI was held on the 12 May.

Stakeholders consider strategic partnerships post-COVID-19 at the first online meeting of the TPCP and the CPHB

articipants attending the first online meeting of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) and the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Plant Health Biotechnology(CPHB) on 12 May contemplated the state of partnerships between academia and industry.

World-leading work on bacteria, fungi and insects rewarded with prestigious FLAIR Fellowships in FABI

The FABI community is delighted with three of its researchers awarded Future Leaders – African Independent Research (FLAIR) fellowships.

CERC-FABI Tree Protection Team plant trees for research

On 8 May, the CFTPP Team at CERC planted Eucalyptus urophylla genotypes in experimental plot that will be used for experiments on the biology of Calonectria species that cause a serious leaf blight disease.

Preparing for the Annual Meeting of the TPCP

In anticipation of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) and DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Plant Health Biotechnology (CPHB) meeting on Tuesday 11 May, various members of the TPCP Management Committee joined FABI and TPCP Director Prof. Bernard Slippers for an online Zoom meeting to test the system.

FABI’s Social Club 2020 team announced

FABI’s Social Club for 2020 has recently been announced.

FABI Journal Clubs continue during lockdown

FABI runs numerous Journal Clubs. Importantly these have continued to meet during the COVID-19 lockdown, albeit using virtual platforms.

Renate Zipfel reflects on working from home

Renate Zipfel, manager of the DNA Sequencing Facility in the Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology (BGM) reflects on working from home during the COVID-19 lockdown.