Welcome
The Fruit Functional Genomics Lab is based at the Department of Genetics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. We specialize in functional genomics of fruit, with a focus on the molecular physiology, metabolomics, and genetics associated with cultivar improvement of grapevine and apple. Our research explores several areas, including the regulation of secondary metabolism in response to environmental cues, the dynamics of fruit development and ripening, strategies for plant defence, and innovations in genomics for plant improvement and breeding.
Please browse through our website to find out more about our research and meet our team.
Our Vision
Cultivar improvement through the deepening of our fundamental understanding of the molecular physiology of fruit crops.
Our Approach
At the Fruit Functional Genomics Lab, we engage in various stages of the functional characterization of plant genes, employing diverse workflows. These encompass untargeted analysis via comparative genomics, quantitative genetics, large-scale transcriptomics, and metabolomics. Candidate genes then undergo a thorough investigation utilizing multiple methodologies. This typically includes model plant transformation, followed by characterization via various molecular, chemical, transcriptomic, and/or histological analyses.