Vincent N. Fondong

Assistant Professor
Department of Biotechnology

Delaware State University
1200 N. Dupont Highway
Dover, DE 19904

Phone: (302) 857-7377
Fax: (302) 857-7369
Email: vfondong@desu.edu

Education
Ph.D., WITS University, Johannesburg/The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 2000
M.S., University of Dschang, Cameroon, 1995
Agronomist, University of Dschang, Cameroon, 1989

Research Interests:
Geminiviruses cause significant yield losses to many crop plants throughout the world. These viruses belong to the family Geminiviridae and characteristically have circular single-stranded DNA genomes packaged within twin (geminate) particles. These viruses are currently divided into four genera, based on their genome organization and biological properties, these genera are: Mastrevirus, Curtovirus, Topocuvirus and Begomovirus. Except for some members of the genus Begomovirus the geminiviruses have monopartite genomes.

Dr. Fondong’s lab investigates begomoviruses with interest on virus-plant interaction. Particular interest is on two bipartite begomoviruses isolated from cassava in Cameroon, African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV-CM) and East African cassava mosaic Cameroon virus (EACMCV). These two viruses present peculiar characteristics in that ACMV-CM triggers its own silencing in both cassava (Manihot esculenta) and Nicotiana benthamiana. By contrast, EACMCV suppresses this anitviral aptitude exhibited by the plant in the presence of ACMV-CM, which results in a synergistic interaction between the two viruses. Presumably the synergistic interaction may result from the ability for EACMCV to suppress the plant viral defense mechanism induced by ACMV-CM. We are interested in dissecting these two phenomena using the two viruses. Based on experience gained on these cassava viruses we hope to extend these studies to other geminiviruses. We will also be conducting surveys of geminiviruses occurring in the State of Delaware.