Nox Makunga

My research focuses on formulating in vitro propagation protocols for plants which face threats as a result of overexploitation, increased bioprospecting activities and diminishing habitats due to human activities. The in vitro multiplication of cells, organs and/or whole plants may be easily adopted for large-scale production of pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and agrochemicals in a commercial setup. As medicinal plants are not model genotypes and often exhibit recalcitrance to molecular manipulation, my attention recently has been focused on inducing genetic alterations in the metabolic pool of secondary phytoactives in some plants indigenous to South Africa. Now the research is shifting to using these in vitro cultures as a tool to uncover the intricacies of the metabolome.  My activities at the Institute of Plant Biotechnology are also to foster research in the area of biopolymer gene discovery and metabolite engineering. In a collaborative effort, we are interested in using ‘latex’ producing endemic SA plants to discover biosynthetic genes.

Link to profile on Plant & Animal Science website