We develop and apply methods for phylogenetic characterisation, diagnosis, detection and quantification of viruses, bacteria, phytoplasma, fungi, nematodes and insects that are harmful to plants. We mainly work with DNA-based methods such as real-time PCR, Sanger sequencing and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The methods underpin our policy support and the industry as a whole for the cultivation of healthier crops.
Examples of completed tasks:
Gil, J.F., Adams I., Boonham, N., Nielsen S.L., Nicolaisen, M. (2016) Molecular and Biological characterisation of Potato mop-top virus (PMTV, Pomovirus) isolates from the potato growing regions in Colombia. Plant Pathology 65: 1210-1220.
Sapkota, R., Skantar, A., Nicolaisen, M. (2016) A TaqMan real-time PCR assay for detection of Meloidogyne hapla in root galls and in soil. Nematology 18:147-154
Walter S, Ali S, Kemen E, Nazari K, Bochra B, Enjalbert J, Hansen JG, Brown JKM, Sicheritz-Pontén T, Jones J, de Vallavieille-Pope C, Hovmøller MS, Justesen AF (2016). Molecular markers for tracking the origin and worldwide distribution of invasive strains of Puccinia striiformis, Ecology and Evolution, 6:2790-804
Wieczorek TM, Jørgensen LN, Hansen AL, Munk L, Justesen AF (2014). Early detection of sugar beet pathogen Ramularia beticola in leaf and air samples using qPCR", European Journal of Plant Pathology 138:775–785
Beuch, U., Berlin, S., Åkerblom, J., Nicolaisen, M., Nielsen, S.L., Crosslin, J.M., Hamm, P.B., Santala, J., Valkonen, J.P.T., Kvarnheden, A. (2015) Diversity and evolution of Potato mop-top virus. Archives of Virology 160: 1345-1351
Sapkota, R., Nicolaisen M. (2015) High-throughput sequencing of nematode communities from total soil DNA extractions. BMC Ecology 15:3
Makarova, O., Contaldo, N., Paltrinieri, S., Kawube, G., Bertaccini, A., Nicolaisen, M (2012) DNA barcoding for identification of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasmas’ using a fragment of the elongation factor Tu gene. PLoS One 12, e52092
Zijlstra, C., Lund, I., Justesen, A., Nicolaisen, M., Bianciotto, V., Posta, K., Balestrini, R., Przetakiewicz, A., Czembor, E., van de Zande, J., Jensen, P. (2011) Combining novel monitoring tools and precision application technologies for integrated high-tech crop protection in the future (a discussion document). Pest Management Science 67: 616-625
Nicolaisen, M., Suproniene, S., Nielsen, L.K., Lazzaro, I., Spliid, N.H. and Justesen, A.F. (2009) Real-time PCR for quantification of eleven individual Fusarium species in cereals. Journal of Microbiological Methods 76: 234-240
