Dr Robert Backer
| Postdoctoral Fellow | |
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. |
Member of:
I am a Researcher for the Avocado Research Programme (ARP) at FABI, supervised by Prof. Noëlani van den Berg. My research interests include the molecular mechanisms of avocado resistance to Phytophthora root rot disease, the expression and function of the NPR1 gene family in avocado, and the development of molecular breeding tools for avocado improvement. I provide bioinformatics support to students and staff of the ARP, such as data analysis, server maintenance and training. I am also actively involved in student mentorship and co-supervision. My current focus is on a 5-year project to establish molecular breeding in the avocado industry. I enjoy collaborating with other researchers and contributing to the advancement of avocado science.
My Journal Articles
Export to RIS
| Publication |
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Backer R, Naidoo S, van den Berg N. (2023) The expression of the NPR1-dependent defense response pathway genes in Persea americana (Mill.) following infection with Phytophthora cinnamomi. BMC Plant Biology 23(1):548.
10.1186/s12870-023-04541-z  |
| Backer R, Engelbrecht J, van den Berg N. (2022) Differing Responses to Phytophthora cinnamomi Infection in Susceptible and Partially Resistant Persea americana (Mill.) Rootstocks: A Case for the Role of Receptor-Like Kinases and Apoplastic Proteases. Frontiers in Plant Science 13
10.3389/fpls.2022.928176 |
| Miyambo TM, Backer R, Engelbrecht J, Joubert F, van der Merwe NA, van den Berg N. (2022) The Identification and Characterization of Endopolygalacturonases in a South African Isolate of Phytophthora cinnamomi. Microorganisms 10(1061)
10.3390/microorganisms10051061 |
| Fick A, Swart V, Backer R, Bombarely A, Engelbrecht J, van den Berg N. (2022) Partially Resistant Avocado Rootstock Dusa® Shows Prolonged Upregulation of Nucleotide Binding-Leucine Rich Repeat Genes in Response to Phytophthora cinnamomi Infection. Frontiers in Plant Science 13:793644.
10.3389/fpls.2022.793644 |
| Joubert M, Backer R, Engelbrecht J, Van den Berg N. (2021) Expression of several Phytophthora cinnamomi putative RxLRs provides evidence for virulence roles in avocado. PLoS ONE 16(7):e0254645.
10.1371/journal.pone.0254645 |
| Van den Berg N, Swart V, Backer R, Fick A, Wienk R, Engelbrecht J, Prabhu S. (2021) Advances in understanding defense mechanisms in Persea americana against Phytophthora cinnamomi. Frontiers in Plant Science 12:123.
10.3389/fpls.2021.636339 |
| Backer R, Naidoo S, van den Berg N. (2019) The NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS-RELATED GENES 1 (NPR1) and Related Family: Mechanistic Insights in Plant Disease Resistance. Frontiers in Plant Science 10:102.
10.3389/fpls.2019.00102 |
| Backer R, Mahomed W, Reeksting B, Engelbrecht J, Ibarra-Laclette E, van den Berg N. (2015) Phylogenetic and expression analysis of the NPR1-like gene family from Persea americana (Mill.). Frontiers in Plant Science 6:300.
10.3389/fpls.2015.00300 |