Crispus Mbaluto

My study focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying, and driving interactions between belowground (BG) and aboveground (AG) insect herbivores. A multidisciplinary eco-genomics approach including physiological, molecular and biochemical methods is being used to study these interaction between AG-BG plant induced defenses. The study will involve the use of Solanum lycopersicum as a food crop model plant, Root Knot nematodes (RKN) as belowground herbivores, and Spodoptera exigua and Macrosiphum euphorbiae as aboveground herbivores, to; (1) Understand the effects of RKN on aboveground herbivores, (2) to unravel the unique mobile signal traveling from roots to shoot as a result of interaction and (3) to study the effect of RKN on members of the third trophic level.

Bioscience Center

Sweet potatoe knowledge portal

This project is funded by a personal DAAD PhD grant to CM.

Nematodes, above-belowground interactions, transcripts & metabolites, systemic induced responses, hormonal signaling, Solanum lycoperisicum (Tomato)

Academic qualification

2016 – now

Doctoral researcher in Molecular Interaction Ecology at the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

2010 - 2015

Master of Science Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.

• Thesis: Characterization and development of propagation spawns for selected wild edible Mushrooms from Aberdare National Forest, Kenya.

2004 - 2009

Bachelor of Science Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.

• Thesis: Determination of mineral composition in commonly consumed mushrooms in Nairobi, Kenya.

Research experience

2014-2016

International institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-ILRI hub), Nairobi, Kenya.

• Project: Development of rapid and robust regeneration and genetic transformation protocols for yams
  

2013

Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa (BecA-ILRI Hub), Nairobi, Kenya.

• Project: Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of Kenyan native edible mushroom species

Onyango BO, Mbaluto CM, Mutuku CS, Otieno DO. 2016. Molecular characterization of wood ear mushrooms [Auricularia sp.] from Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya. Current Research in Environmental & Applied Mycology 6(1), 51 – 60, Doi 10.5943/cream/6/1/6