King Saud University

Faculty Member, Botany and Microbiology

Associate Prof. in Molecular Mycology

Science

Thesis Title: Biochemical and molecular identification of Fusarium spp isolated

Advisor: Joseph alexander Verreet

About

My primary research interest is in understanding the genetic diversity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum. Use of molecular methods for analysis of genetic variation and population dynamics of fungal pathogen populations, phylogenetic studies and development of molecular diagnostic tools for detection and diagnosis of fungal pathogens. Techniques such as AFLP, PCR-RFLP, RAPD, UP-PCR, DNA-sequencing. Currently, we are developing fluorescent diagnostic primers and probes with the utilization of Real-Time PCR techniques.

Our goal is to understand the significance of evolutionary forces that shape the genetic structure of pathogen populations and to apply this knowledge to design more stable and environmentally sound management strategies to control plant disease.

Current research in my lab is focused on the evolutionary genetics of host specificity at the species level and the role of host specificity in fungal speciation.

I am also interested in the evolution of virulence in cotton soil-borne fungi. The cultivars grown in cotton producing areas in Egypt lack resistance to these pathogens.

One project focuses on the genetic diversity of the indigenous Fusarium oxysporum and their relationship to the cotton field pathogens.

Contact Information

Email:

Homepage: http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/abdelsalam/default.aspx

Address: Department of Botany and Microbiology
Faculty of Science, King Saud University
e-mail: abdelsalamka@gmail.com
PO Box 2455
Al-Ryadh 11451
Kingdom Saudi Arabia

Telephones: Office: 0096614675870
 Mobile: 00966595914037

Instant Messengers/Skype: kaabdelsalam (Skype)