Research Fellow
The Fusarium genus consists of a diverse group of filamentous ascomycete fungi. Members of this complex cause disease on economically important plants, with an estimated 80% of cultivated crops having at least one associated Fusarium disease. My focus is on Fusariumspecies within the Fusariumfujikuroi species complex (FFSC). Here, my interests lie in the dispensable chromosomes within this complex, host specificity, as well as how the genomic landscape of these fungi are altered after endophytic or pathogenic lifestyles.
I am also a member of the developing research program on Agricultural crops that is based at FABI. This program supports the South African agricultural sector. My role here is as the FABI Diagnostic Clinic manager. Through this clinic, we receive numerous samples that are related not only to this program, but also to forestry, avocado and the macadamia industries. Support is provided to aid in the identification of pests and pathogens that threaten these economically important industries.
van Dijk A, Wilson AM, Marx B, Hough B, Swalarsk-Parry BS, De Vos L, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD, Steenkamp ET. (2025) CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing reveals that the Pgs gene of Fusarium circinatum is involved in pathogenicity, growth and sporulation.. Fungal Genetics and Biology 10.1016/j.fgb.2025.103970
Dankie VN, Steenkamp ET, De Vos L, Swalarsk-Parry BS, Dewing C, Fru F, Wilken PM, Mchunu NP, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, van der Nest MA. (2025) Growth, pathogenicity and sexual fertility of the African tree pathogen Ceratocystis albifundus. Journal of Plant Pathology 10.1007/s42161-024-01634-y
Swalarsk-Parry BS, De Vos L, Fru FF, Santana QC, van der Nest MA, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ, Herron DA, Ramaswe JB, Dewing C, Sayari M, van der Merwe NA, van Wyk S, Lane FA, Wilson AM, Adegeye OO, Soal NC, Price J-L, Steenkamp ET. (2024) Wide variation in aggressiveness and growth in South African Fusarium circinatum isolates with geographical origin as the primary determinant. Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science 10.2989/20702620.2024.2363749
van der Nest MA, Steenkamp ET, De Vos L, Wienk R, Swart V, van den Berg N. (2024) Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the white root rot pathogen Dematophora necatrix (Xylariaceae: Xylariales). Mitochondrial DNA Part B: Resoures 10.1080/23802359.2024.2403411
Ramaswe JB, Steenkamp ET, De Vos L, Fru FF, Adegeye OO, Wingfield BD. (2024) Sex pheromone receptor Ste2 orchestrates chemotropic growth towards pine root extracts in the pitch canker pathogen Fusarium circinatum. Pathogens 10.3390/pathogens13050425
De Vos L, van der Nest MA, Santana QC, van Wyk S, Leeuwendaal KS, Wingfield BD, Steenkamp ET. (2024) Chromosome-level assemblies for the pine pitch canker pathogen Fusarium circinatum. Pathogens 10.3390/pathogens13010070
Meinecke CD, de Vos L, Yilmaz N, Steenkamp ET, Wingfield MJ, Wingfield BD. (2023) A LAMP assay for rapid detection of th epitch canker pathogen Fusarium circinatum. Plant Disease 10.1094/PDIS-04-22-0972-SR
Swalarsk Parry BS, Steenkamp ET, Van Wyk S, Santana QC, van der Nest MA, Hammerbacher A, Wingfield BD, De Vos L. (2022) Identification and characterization of a QTL for growth of Fusarium circinatum on pine-based medium. Journal of Fungi 10.3390/jof8111214
Dewing C, van der Nest MA, Santana QC, Proctor RH, Wingfield BD, Steenkamp ET, De Vos L. (2022) Characterization of host-specific genes from Pine- and grass-associated species of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex. Pathogens 10.3390/pathogens11080858
Maphosa MN, Steenkamp ET, Kanzi AM, Van Wyk S, De Vos L, Santana QC, Duong TA, Wingfield BD. (2022) Intra-Species genomic variation in the pine pathogen Fusarium circinatum. Journal of Fungi 10.3390/jof8070657