Research Interests:
1. Human Genetics
- Characterization of human short tandem repeat (STR) loci in Caucasians and Aboriginal populations for forensic purpose
- Characterization of human populations using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs)
2. Plant Genetics
- Population genetic studies using molecular markers (RFLP, RAPD, ISSR, SSR, AFLP)
- Genome organization and physical mapping in conifers
- Molecular cytogenetics studies in plants
- Development and characterization of species- specific molecular markers
- Characterization of host plant resistance
3. Genetic Engineering and crop improvement
- Introgression of alien genes in plant species for disease and insect resistance
- Germplasm enhancement
4. International Agriculture
- Participatory Plant Breeding
- In situ and ex situ conservation of Genetic resources
- Capacity building for food security
Publications:
Vandeligt, K., Nkongolo, K., Mehes, M. 2011. Genetic analysis of Pinus banksiana and P. resinosa populations from stressed sites in Ontario. Chemistry & Ecology. DOI: 10.1080/02757540.20.561790.
Nkongolo K.K. 2011. Critical analysis of karyotype evolution in Pinaceae. Comparative cytogenetic (In press).
Nkongolo, K.K., Haley, S., Quick, J.S., Peairs, F. 2011. Registration of six wheat - rye addition lines resistant to the RWA. Plant Registration Journal. (In press).
Narendrula, R., K.K. Nkongolo, and P. Beckett. 2011. Comparative Soil Metal Analyses in Sudbury (Ontario, Canada) and Lubumbashi (Katanga, DR-Congo): two contrasting mining cities with a similar legacy. Chemistry & Ecology (In press).
Narendrula, R., M. Mehes-Smith, K.K. Nkongolo, C. Roussell, and P. Beckett. 2011.Genetic variability in natural and planted populations of white spruce (Picea glauca) and white pine (Pinus strobus) growing in metal contaminated areas in Northern Ontario (Canada). Silvae Genetica (In press).
Mudibu, J., K.K. Nkongolo, M. Mehes-Smith, and A. Kalonji. 2011. Genetic Analysis of a Soybean Genetic Pool using ISSR marker: Effect of Gamma Radiation. Int. J. Plant Breed. Genet. DOI: 10.3923/ijpbg.2011.
Mbuya K., K.K. Nkongolo, K.K., A. Kalonji-Mbuyi. 2011. Nutritional Analysis of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) Varieties Selected in the DR-Congo. Int. J. Plant Breed. Genet. (In press).
Muyabantu, M.G., B. Kadiata, K.K. Nkongolo. 2011. Response of maize to different organic and inorganic fertilization regimes in monocrop and intercrop systems in DR-Congo. J. Plant Sci. Soil Nutr. (In press).
Dobrzeniecka, S., Nkongolo, K.K., Michael, P., Mehes-Smith, M., and Beckett, P. 2011. Genetic Analysis of black spruce (Picea mariana) populations from dry and wet areas of metal-contaminated region in Ontario (Canada). Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 25: 117-125.
Mehes-Smith, M., Nkongolo, K.K., and Michael, P. 2011. A comparative cytogenetic analysis of five pines species from North America. Plant Syst. Evol. 292 (2-4): 153-164.
Mehes-Smith, M., Michael, P., and Nkongolo, K.K. 2010. Species-diagnostic and specific DNA sequences evenly distributed throughout pine and spruce chromosomes. Genome 53: 769-777.
Mbuya, K., K.K. Nkongolo, A. Kalonji-Mbuyi and R. Kizungu, 2010. Participatory selection and characterization of quality maize (QPM) varieties in DR-Congo. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci., 2, 325-332.
Mehes M. and Nkongolo K.K. 2009. Assessing Genetic Diversity and Structure of Fragmented Populations of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) and Western White Pine (P. monticola) for conservation management. Journal of Plant Ecology 2: 143-151.
Nkongolo, K.K., Haley S.D., Kim N-S, Michael P., Fedak G., Quick J.S., and Peairs, F.B. 2009. Molecular cytogenetics and Agronomic characterization of advanced generations of wheat x triticale hybrids resistant to Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko): Application of GISH and microsatellite markers. Genome 52: 353-360.
Dobrzeniecka, S., Nkongolo, K.K., Michael, P., Wyss, S. and Mehes, M. 2009. Development and characterization of microsatellite markers useful for population analysis in Picea mariana. Forest Genetics (Silvae Genetica) 58 (4): 168-172.
Nkongolo, K.K., Bokosi, J., Malusi, M., and Vokhiwa, Z. 2009. Genetic, agronomic and culinary characterization of selected cowpea elite lines. A.J. Plant Sc. 3: 147-156.
Vaillancourt, A., Nkongolo K.K., Michael P., and Mehes M. 2008. Identification, characterization, and chromosome locations of rye and wheat specific ISSR and SCAR markers useful for breeding purposes. International Journal of Plant Breeding (Euphytica) 159: 297-306.
Nkongolo, K.K., Vaillancourt, A., Dobrzeniecka, S., Mehes, M., and Beckett, P. 2008. Metal Content in Soil and Black Spruce (Picea mariana) Trees in the Sudbury Region (Ontario, Canada): Low Concentration of Nickel, Cadmium, and Arsenic Detected within Smelter Vicinity. Bulletin of Environmental contamination and toxicology 80: 107-111.
Ranger, M and Nkongolo K.K.. 2008. Molecular analysis of jack pine populations from metal contaminated areas using ISSR markers. Silvae Genetica 57: 333-340.
Nkongolo, K.K., Chinthu, L., Malusi, M., and Z. Vokhiwa. 2008. Participatory variety selection and characterization of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) elite accessions from a gene pool using farmer and breeder’s knowledge. A.J. Agricultural Research 3 (4): 273-283.
Tshilenge, P., Nkongolo, K.K., Mehes, M. Kalonji, A. 2008. Genetic variability of Coffea canephora L. (Var. Robusta) accessions from a founding gene pool evaluated with ISSR and RAPD. A. J. Biotechnology 8 (3): 380 -390.
Nkongolo, K.K., Bokosi, J., Malusi, M., and Vokhiwa, Z. 2009. Genetic, agronomic and culinary characterization of selected cowpea elite lines using breeder’s knowledge. Afr. J. Plant Sc. 3: 147-156.
Mehes M., Nkongolo K.K., and Michael P. 2007. Genetic analysis of Pinus strobus and Pinus monticola populations from Canada using ISSR and RAPD markers: Development of genome-specific SCAR markers. Plant Syst. Evolution 267: 47-63.
Nkongolo, K.K., M. Mehes, A. Deck, P. Michael. 2007. Metal content in soil and genetic variation in Deschampsia cespitosa populations from Northern Ontario (Canada): application of ISSR markers. European Journal of Genetics Toxicology, March issue. Pp. 1-38.
Hesler, L., Scott, H., Nkongolo, K.K., Peairs, F. 2006. Resistance to Rhopalosiphum padi (Homoptera: Aphididae) in wheat lines derived from crosses with Diuraphis noxia - resistant trilicale. Journal of Entomological Science 42:217-227.
Currie, K., P. Michael and K.K. Nkongolo. 2005. Characterization of human STR1 locus D18S535 in Caucasian and aboriginal populations from Northern Ontario for forensic purpose. Human Biology Journal 77: 267-279.
Nkongolo, K.K. and P. Michael. 2005. Application of ISSR. RAPD, and Cytological markers to the identification and certification of Picea mariana, P. glauca, P. engelmannii trees and their putative hybrids. Genome 48: 302-311.
Nkongolo, K.K., Kim N.S., and Michael P. 2004. Detection and physical mapping of the 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA and the pKFJ 660 probe derived from the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) in conifer species. Hereditas 140 (1): 70-78.
Nkongolo, K.K., Kim N.S., and Michael P. 2004. Molecular differentiation of pine species using a primer pair. Forest Genetics (Silvae Genetica) 52 (3-4): 158-161.
Nkongolo, K.K., N.S. Kim, and P. Michael. 2004. Detection and physical mapping of the 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA and the pKFJ660 probe derived from the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) in conifer species. Hereditas 140: 70-78.
Nkongolo, K.K., L. Deverno, and P. Michael. 2003. Genetic validation and characterization of RAPD markers differentiating black and red spruces: molecular certification of spruce trees and hybrids. Plant Systematics and Evolution 236: 151-163.
Nkongolo, K.K. 2003. Genetic characterization of Malawian cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) landrace: diversity and gene flow among accessions. Euphytica (Plant Breeding) 129: 219-228.
Book chapters
Nkongolo, K.K., Narendrula, R., M. Mehes-Smith. 2011. Sustainability of spruce and pine populations from stressed areas in Northern Ontario (Canada). In Juan Blanco and Juel-Hsin Lo (eds). Forest Ecosytem. Intech Publisher. ISBN 978-953-307-667-6.
Gervais S. and K.K. Nkongolo. 2011. Effect of metal contamination on the genetic diversity of Deschampsia cespitosa populations from Northern Ontario: Application of ISSR and microsatellite markers. In Juan Blanco and Juel-Hsin Lo (eds). Forest Ecosytem. Intech Publisher. ISBN 978-953-307-667-6.
Books
Nkongolo, K.K. Kalonji, A., and Kizungu, R.V. (eds). 2010. « Agronomic Research and Sustainable Food Security». ISBN 978-0-9867757-03. 298 pp.
Nkongolo, K.K. (ed). 2010. Contribution to Food Security in the RD-Congo. Tome 2. ISBN 978-0-9867757-1-0. 278 pp
Malusi, M. and K.K. Nkongolo. 2004. Gender and rural households in Malawi. Laurentian Press. 25 pp.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO INDUSTRIALLY-RELEVANT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Inventions— Genetic materials developed and registered
Recent patents or breeder licence registration (2010):
Six genetically-modified wheat lines have been registered and licensed with US Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation. Registration (Licenses) under the names PI 659317 (CO03753), PI 659318 (CO03754), PI 659319 (CO03758), PI 659320 (CO03761), PI 659321 (CO03764), and PI 659322 (CO03765). May 2010. Scientists involved: Nkongolo, K.K. (Principal Investigator, Laurentian University), Scott Haley (Colorado State), and Quick, J. (Colorado State).
Other genetic materials developed:
Development of four wheat-rye lines resistant to the Russian Wheat aphid. These lines are derived from the Lamar wheat and the PI 386148 Triticale. They are being field tested for release in 2007.
PI 597786, Reg. No. KIVU-85: Wheat / rye substitution line adapted to tropical regions. This line is an improved "Encruzilhada" wheat line in which a pair of wheat chromosomes has been replaced by a pair of 2R rye chromosome carrying Barley Yellow Dwarf resistance genes. This line was registered and released in 1997: K.K. Nkongolo and A. Comeau.
PI 564850, Reg. No. GP-434 (CORWA1): First Russian wheat aphid resistant germplasm released in North America and developed from a Russian wheat landrace and adapted Colorado wheat varieties. 1996. Scientists involved: J.S. Quick, K.K. Nkongolo, and F.B. Peairs.
A wheat/rye substitution line resistant to the Russian wheat aphid. This line is from PI3850 Triticum montanum line resistant to RWA and an adapted Colorado wheat, Lamar. This germplasm is being field tested and will be distributed by Colorado State University. Scientists involved: K.K. Nkongolo and J.S. Quick.
Development of seven Elite Sorghum varieties resistant to drought and adapted to high and low lands in the Southern region of Africa using Participatory Breeding Method. Scientists involved: K.K. Nkongolo (Project Leader and Plant Breeder), E,. Chintu (Breeder), Z. Vokhiwa (Ecologist), M. Malusi (Social Scientist), and L. Nsapato (Curator). These lines were released in 2003 for regional use.
Development of five Elite cowpea varieties resistant to drought and adapted to high and low lands in the Southern region of Africa using Participatory Breeding Method. Scientists involved: K.K. Nkongolo (Project Leader and Plant Breeder), J. Bokosi (Breeder), M. Malusi (Social Scientist), and L. Nsapato (Curator). These lines were released in 2003 for regional use.