Dr. K. Nkongolo

K. Nkongolo, Ph.D.

Email: knkongolo@laurentian.ca
Phone: (705) 675-1151 ext.2307
Address:
Biology Department

Laurentian University

935 Ramsey Lake Road

Sudbury, Ontario

P3E 2C6

Canada

Research Interests:

1. Human Genetics

Characterization of human short tandem repeat (STR) loci in Caucasians and Aboriginal populations for forensic purpose
Characterization of human populations using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs)

2. Plant Genetics

Population genetic studies using molecular markers (RFLP, RAPD, ISSR, SSR, AFLP)
Genome organization and physical mapping in conifers
Molecular cytogenetics studies in plants
Development and characterization of species- specific molecular markers
Characterization of host plant resistance

3. Genetic Engineering and crop improvement

Introgression of alien genes in plant species for disease and insect resistance
Germplasm enhancement

4. International Agriculture

Participatory Plant Breeding
In situ and ex situ conservation of Genetic resources
Capacity building for food security

Inventions— Genetic materials developed and registered:

Development of four wheat-rye lines resistant to the Russian Wheat aphid. These lines are derived from the Lamar wheat and the PI 386148 Triticale. They are being field tested for release in 2007.

PI 597786, Reg. No. KIVU-85: Wheat / rye substitution line adapted to tropical regions. This line is an improved "Encruzilhada" wheat line in which a pair of wheat chromosomes has been replaced by a pair of 2R rye chromosome carrying Barley Yellow Dwarf resistance genes. This line was registered and released in 1997: K.K. Nkongolo and A. Comeau.

PI 564850, Reg. No. GP-434 (CORWA1): First Russian wheat aphid resistant germplasm released in North America and developed from a Russian wheat landrace and adapted Colorado wheat varieties. 1996. Scientists involved: J.S. Quick, K.K. Nkongolo, and F.B. Peairs.

A wheat/rye substitution line resistant to the Russian wheat aphid. This line is from PI3850 Triticum montanum line resistant to RWA and an adapted Colorado wheat, Lamar. This germplasm is being field tested and will be distributed by Colorado State University. Scientists involved: K.K. Nkongolo and J.S. Quick.

Development of seven Elite Sorghum varieties resistant to drought and adapted to high and low lands in the Southern region of Africa using Participatory Breeding Method. Scientists involved: K.K. Nkongolo (Project Leader and Plant Breeder), E,. Chintu (Breeder), Z. Vokhiwa (Ecologist), M. Malusi (Social Scientist), and L. Nsapato (Curator). These lines were released in 2003 for regional use.

Development of five Elite cowpea varieties resistant to drought and adapted to high and low lands in the Southern region of Africa using Participatory Breeding Method. Scientists involved: K.K. Nkongolo (Project Leader and Plant Breeder), J. Bokosi (Breeder), M. Malusi (Social Scientist), and L. Nsapato (Curator). These lines were released in 2003 for regional use.

Select Publications:

Nkongolo, K.K., N.S. Kim, and P. Michael. 2004. Detection and physical mapping of the 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA and the pKFJ660 probe derived from the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) in conifer species. Hereditas 140: 70-78.

Nkongolo, K.K., L. Deverno, and P. Michael. 2003. Genetic validation and characterization of RAPD markers differentiating black and red spruces: molecular certification of spruce trees and hybrids. Plant Systematics and Evolution 236: 151-163.

Nkongolo, K.K. 2003. Genetic characterization of Malawian cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) landrace: diversity and gene flow among accessions. Euphytica (Plant Breeding) 129: 219-228.

Nkongolo, K.K. and W.S. Gratton. 2002. Genetic variation in Pinus banksiana populations from the Sudbury (Ontario, Canada) region. Silvae Genetica 50: 122-127.

Nkongolo, K.K., P. Michael, & W.S. Gratton. 2002. Cloning and characterization of RAPD markers inferring genetic relationships among pine species. Genome 45: 51 -58.

Nkongolo, K.K., A. Deck, & P. Michael. 2001. Molecular and cytological analyses of Dechampsia cespitosa populations from Northern Ontario (Canada). Genome 44: 818-825.

Nkongolo, K.K. 2000. Genetic diversity in cowpea landraces from an International Gene bank: gene flow among cowpea populations. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 95: 137-144.

Gratton, W.S., K.K. Nkongolo, and G.A. Spiers. 2000. Heavy metal accumulation in soil and Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) needles in Sudbury, Ontario. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 64: 550-557.

Nkongolo, K.K. 1999. RAPD variations among pure and hybrid populations of Picea mariana, P. rubens, and P. glauca (Pinaceae), and cytogenetic stability of Picea hybrids: identification of species-specific RAPD markers. Plant Systematics and Evolution 215: 229-239.

Nkongolo, K.K. 1999. Molecular and cytological analyses of Picea spp. from different provenanaces: genomic relationships among taxa. Heriditas 130: 137-144.

Nkongolo, K.K., Klimaszewska, K., and Gratton, W.S. 1998. DNA yields and optimization of RAPD patterns using spruce embryogenic lines, seedlings and needles. Plant Mol. Biol. Rep. 63: 474-484.

Nkongolo, K.K. and A. Comeau. 1998. Registration of a genetic stock, a wheat-rye substitution line tolerant to the Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus. Crop Sciences 38: 1413-1414.