Dr Kelvin Khoo

Dr Kelvin Khoo

Postdoctoral Fellow

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

Faculty of Sciences

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

My research investigates the genetic control of soil-borne parasitic nematodes in wheat, chickpea, and barley. In this project, I am specifically targetting the 6DS resistance locus in wheat against the root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus thornei. Given that P. thornei infestations can cause sisgnificant yield losses to the wheat industry, the identification and characterisation of the causal gene underlying this resistance locus will provide valuable information in the quest to breed new resistant wheat lines. 

Given that chickpea is also susceptible to P. thornei infection and is often planted in rotation with wheat, we also aim to discover and develop molecular marker assays that can aid in marker-assisted selection of resistant chickpea lines. This will accelerate breeding processes and allow the development of resistant chickpea germplasm.

Another focus of this project is the investigation of two resistance loci against the cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae, in barley. We have currently narrowed down both genetic regions significantly. We are at the stage where we are starting to identify and clone potential candidate genes within the regions so that we can functionally characterise them. 

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  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2015 Post-doc Fellow Level B University of Adelaide
    2011 - 2015 Post-doc Fellow Level A University of Adelaide
    2011 - 2011 Lab technician Animal, Food and Health Sciences (CSIRO), Adelaide

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    Malay Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    — University of Adelaide Australia Ph.D

  • Research Interests
    Cell Biology Genetics
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  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 Co-Supervisor Interaction of Cereal Cyst Nematodes with Barley: Genetics and Biology Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Nadeeshani Nadeeshani Perera
    2019 Co-Supervisor Cereal Cyst Nematode Resistance in Barley Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Ms Monica Adu-Gyamfi

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2014 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Analysis of the Barley Cereal Cyst Nematode Resistance Locus Rha2 Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Bart Jos P Van Gansbeke
  • Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Phone: 83137158
  • Email: kelvin.khoo@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 8313 7102
  • Campus: Waite
  • Building: Plant Genomics Centre, floor 1
  • Room: 1 23
  • Org Unit: School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
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