Dr. John P.
Senior Researcher
in Grapevine Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Institute for Wine
Biotechnology
Department of Viticulture and Oenology
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Department of Viticulture and Oenology
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
BACKGROUND
DOCTORAL RESEARCH AND POST-DOCTORAL
CAREER
I completed my studies at
the University of Cape Town where I
obtained undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and a doctorate in Molecular and
Cell Biology. My PhD thesis entitled The
role of polyphenols and the cell wall in relation to the desiccation tolerance
of the resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolia (Welw.) was
performed under the principal supervision of the late Associate Professor Wolf
Brandt. Through this research work, while under the co-supervision of Professor
Jill Farrant, I developed a keen interest in the desiccation and drought
tolerance mechanisms of plants. In addition, I became very interested in the
chemistry of plant polyphenols and the biochemistry of plant cell walls. During
my PhD I spent research periods at the University of Rouen in France Scotland Stellenbosch University where I was
appointed as a researcher, and subsequently promoted to senior researcher.
GRAPEVINE AND WINE SCIENCES
My research focus is on plant cell walls and plant polyphenols. I am interested in Grapevine Molecular Physiology and Biochemistry, Plant Glycobiology and Wine Chemistry. The overarching goals are to improve the scientific understanding around the areas of
disease resistance, fruit quality and abiotic stress (i.e. drought) tolerance
of Vitis vinifera (grapevine)
cultivars. Current research includes unravelling the in vitro, in vivo and in planta interactions between
endopolygalacturonases, polygalacturonase inhibitory proteins (PGIPs) and the
cell wall of Vitis vinifera in
response to fungal pathogen infection. Pathogens studied include Botrytis cinerea, a fungus responsible
for both grey and noble rot in grapevine. Areas of interest include grape berry
ripening and water deficit from the perspective of the plant cell wall. Current
research concerns the role of carbohydrate active enzymes in grape berry
deconstruction during winemaking. A further strand of research undertaken involves investigating the role of
mannoproteins in relation to growth and fermentation phenotypes of wine yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The approach
taken is multi-disciplinary in nature involving techniques from a range of
fields (i.e. molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry (enzymology),
microscopy, immunocytochemistry and spectroscopy). Research funders include the
National Research Foundation (South Africa), Stellenbosch University, Winetech
(Wine Industry Network of Expertise and Technology), SATI (South African Table
Grape Industry), contract research (e.g. BIO-Laffort, Bordeaux, France), The Royal Society (London, United Kingdom) and the South African
Government THRIP (Technology and Human Resources in Industry Programme).
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
