Dr. James T. Tambong

Image James T. Tambong
Research Scientist

Dr. Tambong's research is focussed on molecular bacterial taxonomy, phylogenomics, identification, detection, phylogenetics and biodiversity of plant pathogenic and agricultural beneficial (biocontrol) bacteria.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON

Current research and/or projects

  • Management and enhancement of AAFC's biological collections. The objectives of this project are: 1) Support the conservation of living genebank collections and preserved reference collections; 2) Improvement of technologies for storage of reference specimens or living germplasm; 3) Improvement of the characterisation of collection holdings; and 4) Support of the National Identification Services.
  • Fungal and Bacterial Biosystematics - bridging taxonomy and –omics technology in agricultural research and regulation. The objective of this project is to bridge traditional and DNA-based taxonomy leveraging opportunities enabled by new genomic and metabolomics technologies.
  • Carotenoids-producing yeasts and/or bacteria of biotechnological importance. The proposed research will lead to identify carotenoids-producing yeasts and/or bacteria strains for producing natural carotenoids as alternate feed products. Finding uses for agricultural/food-processing by-products adds profitability to low-value waste streams and reduces environmental issues.
  • Monitoring of an invasive bacterial pathogen ( Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis ) of corn using a next-generation sequencing method.
  • Next-generation sequencing - genomics and metagenomics of fungal and bacterial pathogens amenable to quarantine in crop plants.
  • Development of amplicon-based metagenomic identification and analysis tools primarily targeting regulated or high-risk pathogens.

Research and/or project statements

Areas of expertise :

  • Invasive / quarantine bacterial plant pathogens
  • Genomics and Metagenomics of phytobacteria
  • Taxonomy and molecular detection of phytobacterial pathogens
  • Bacterial biodiversity in soil health and agricultural sustainability
  • Beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in cereals and legumes
  • Biopesticides (bioresources)

Education and awards

Education

Ph.D.     Biological Sciences Universiteit Gent, Belgium                                    2000

MSc.       Plant Pathology/Breeding   Alabama A & M University, USA              1994

Ingènieur Agronome    Biotechnology      Université de Dschang, Cameroon   1988

 

Awards and Recognition

(1) 2015 Algonquin College Award of recognition and appreciation for providing IBioTP students with invaluable Canadian work experience;

(2) 2011 American Society for Microbiology, Outstanding Service as an Online Mentor of the ASM Minority Mentoring Program;

(3)  2010  Recipient of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Research Branch Science Achievement Award for research conducted on DNA array technology for detection and quantification of multiple soilborne pathogens under the supervision of Dr. André Lévesque. 

(4) 1996 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Root and Tuber Research project funded by United States Agency for International Development.

International experience and/or work

1988 - 1996. Research Officer, Institute of Agriculture Research for Development (French acronym IRAD, Cameroon): conducting research on microbial and plant biotechnology to enhance our understanding of bacterial/fungal pathogens of Tropical Roots and Tubercrops under a USAID funded project.

Key publications

  1. Whiteduck-Léveillée, K., Whiteduck-Léveillée, J., Cloutier, M., Tambong, J.T., Xu, R., Topp, E., Arts, M.T., Chao, J., Adam, Z., Lévesque, C.A., Lapen, D.R., Villemur, R., Khan, I.U.H. (2016). Identification, characterization and description of Arcobacter faecis sp. nov., isolated from a human waste septic tank. Systematic and Applied Microbiology, [online] 39(2), 93-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.syapm.2015.12.002

    2016 - View publication details

  2. Xu, R., Falardeau, J., Avis, T.J., Tambong, J.T. (2016). HybProbes-based real-time PCR assay for specific identification of Streptomyces scabies and Streptomyces europaeiscabiei, the potato common scab pathogens. Letters in Applied Microbiology, [online] 62(2), 153-159. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/lam.12522

    2016 - View publication details

  3. Tchagang, C.F., Xu, R., Mehrtash, S., Rahimi, S., Sidibé, A., Li, X., Bromfield, E.S.P., Tambong, J.T. (2016). Draft genome sequences of two novel Pseudomonas strains exhibiting differential hypersensitivity reactions on tobacco and corn seedlings. Genome Announcements, [online] 4(5), http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.01057-16

    2016 - View publication details

  4. Khan, I.U.H., Topp, E., Chen, W., Lapen, D.R., Lévesque, C.A., Pintar, K.D.M., Tambong, J.T., Talbot, G., and Wilkes, G.A. (2015). "Assessment of Zoonotic Pathogens in Agroecosystem.", Biodiversity, Bioresources and Collection Science Day, Ottawa Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, December 1-2, 2015. (Presentation)

    2015 - View publication details

  5. Lévesque, C.A., Chen, W., Hambleton, S., Seifert, K.A., Adam, Z., Bilodeau, G.J., Cullis, J., Demeke, T., Dumonceaux, T.J., Gagnon, M., Graefenhan, T., Kawchuk, L.M., Khan, I.U.H., Lewis, C.T., Li, X., Links, M.G., Mimee, B., Rott, M., Tambong, J.T., Topp, E., Yu, Q., and Yuan, K. (2015). Project CRTI 09-462RD - Next generation sequencing, direct detection and genotyping of fungi, bacteria and nematodes in the agri-food system. DRDC-RDDC-2015-C148. Final Close-Out Report. (Report)

    2015 - View publication details

  6. Lévesque, C.A., Chen, W., Hambleton, S., Seifert, K.A., Adam, Z., Bilodeau, G.J., Cullis, J., Demeke, T., Dumonceaux, T.J., Gagnon, M., Graefenhan, T., Kawchuk, L.M., Khan, I.U.H., Lewis, C.T., Li, X., Links, M.G., Mimee, B., Rott, M., Tambong, J.T., Yu, Q., and Yuan, K. (2015). Project CRTI 09-462RD - Next generation sequencing, direct detection and genotyping of fungi, bacteria and nematodes in the agri-food system. Final Report. 54. http://cradpdf.drdc-rddc.gc.ca/PDFS/unc195/p802330_A1b.pdf. (Report)

    2015 - View publication details

  7. Tambong, J.T. (2015). Specific identification and detection of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii using a membrane-based multi-gene oligonucleotide array. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, [online] 37(4), 414-426. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07060661.2015.1113442

    2015 - View publication details

  8. Whiteduck-Léveillée, K., Whiteduck-Léveillée, J., Cloutier, M., Tambong, J.T., Xu, R., Topp, E., Arts, M.T., Chao, J., Adam, Z., Lévesque, C.A., Lapen, D.R., Villemur, R., Talbot, G., Khan, I.U.H. (2015). Arcobacter lanthieri sp. Nov., isolated from pig and dairy cattle manure. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (IJSEM), [online] 65(8), 2709-2716. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.000318

    2015 - View publication details

  9. Nejjari, M., Xu, R., Tambong, J.T. (2015). Detection, identification and differentiation of corn pathogen pantoea stewartii subspecies by membrane-based multi-gene oligonucleotide array. Jurnal Teknologi, [online] 77(24), 123-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.11113/jt.v77.6719

    2015 - View publication details

  10. Adam, Z., Chen, Q., Xu, R., Diange, A.E., Bromfield, E.S.P., Tambong, J.T. (2015). Draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas simiae strain 2-36, an in vitro antagonist of Rhizoctonia solani and Gaeumannomyces graminis, 3(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.01534-14

    2015 - View publication details

  11. Yuan, K.(., Cullis, J., André Lévesque, C., Tambong, J., Chen, W., Lewis, C.T., De Boer, S.H., Li, X.(. (2015). Draft genome sequences of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 strains with different temperature adaptations. Genome Announcements, [online] 3(4), http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00815-15

    2015 - View publication details

  12. Tambong, J.T., Xu, R., Adam, Z., Cott, M., Rose, K., Reid, L.M., Daayf, F., Brière, S., Bilodeau, G.J. (2015). Draft genome sequence of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis strain DOAB 397, isolated from an infected field corn plant in Manitoba, Canada. Genome Announcements, [online] 3(4), http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/genomeA.00768-15

    2015 - View publication details

  13. Yuan, K., Li, X., Adam, Z., Tambong, J.T., Lévesque, C.A., Chen, W., Lewis, C.T., and De Boer, S.H. (2014). "Comparative genomics for re-classification of Pectobacterium wasabiae.", 3rd International Workshop on Erwinia, Shanghai, China, June 8-13, 2014, pp. 27-28. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  14. Tambong, J.T., Adam, Z., Lewis, C.T., Lévesque, C.A., Chen, W., Khan, I.U.H., Bromfield, E.S.P., and Xu, R. (2014). "Comparative genomics of Pantoeastewartii subspecies and development of a TaqManReal-Time PCR assay for specific detection of P. stewartii subsp.stewartii.", 13th International Conference of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, Shanghai, China, June 8-13, 2014, pp. 34. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  15. Khan, I.U.H., Cloutier, M., Topp, E., Lapen, D.R., Lévesque, C.A., Edge, T.A., Tambong, J.T., Talbot, G., and Wilkes, G.A. (2014). "Quantitative Detection and Identification of Arcobacter, Campylobacter and Helicobacter Species in a Canadian Agricultural Watershed.", XVIth International Congress of Virology - International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS 2014), July 27 - August 1, 2014, Montréal, Québec, Canada, July 27-August 1, 2014.

    2014 - View publication details

  16. Adam, Z., Tambong, J.T., Chen, Q., Lewis, C.T., Lévesque, C.A., and Xu, R. (2014). "Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas sp. 2-92, a biological control strain isolated from a field plot under long-term mineral fertilization.", Genome Announcements, 2(1: e01121-13). doi : 10.1128/genomeA.01121-13

    2014 - View publication details

  17. Li, X., Yuan, K., Nie, J., Adam, Z., Tambong, J.T., Chen, W., Lewis, C.T., De Boer, S.H., and Lévesque, C.A. (2014). "Comparative Genomics Approaches for Detection and Identification of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 bv 2.", 13th International Conference of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria, Shanghai, China, June 8-13, 2014, Oral presentation. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  18. Yuan, K., Li, X., Adam, Z., Tambong, J.T., Lévesque, C.A., Chen, W., Lewis, C.T., and De Boer, S.H. (2014). "Draft genome sequence of Pectobacterium wasabiae strain CFIA1002.", 3rd International Workshop on Erwinia, Shanghai, China, June 8-13, 2014.

    2014 - View publication details

  19. Adam, Z., Whiteduck-Leveillee, K., Cloutier, M., Chen, W., Lewis, C.T., Lévesque, C.A., Topp, E., Lapen, D.R., Tambong, J.T., Talbot, G., and Khan, I.U.H. (2014). "Draft genome sequence of Arcobacter cibarius Strain LMG21996{SUP}T{/SUP} isolated from broiler carcasses.", Genome Announcements, 2(1), pp. e00034-14. doi : 10.1128/genomeA.00034-14

    2014 - View publication details

  20. Tambong, J.T., Xu, R., Kaneza, C.A., Nshogozabahizi, J.C. (2014). An in-depth analysis of a multilocus phylogeny identifies leuS as a reliable phylogenetic marker for the genus Pantoea, 10 115-125. http://dx.doi.org/10.4137/EBo.s15738

    2014 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Ottawa Research and Development Centre
960 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Agro-Ecosystem productivity and health
Agriculture›Bacteriology›Molecular bacteriology
Agriculture›Biodiversity›Microbiology
Agriculture›Biopesticides
Plant›Pathology›Bacteria

Affiliations

  • Adjunct professor, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada
  • Member, Bacteriology Committee of the American Phytopathological Society (APS)
  • Member, Evolutionary Genetics & Genomics Committee  (APS)
  • Member, Plant Pathogen and Disease Detection Committee (APS)
  • Member, advisory committee of the Specialized Baccalaureate in Biotechnology at La Cité Collégiale, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
  • Associate Editor, Bacteria and Phytoplasmas, Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology
  • Member, American Phytopathological Society (Past Chairman, Tropical Plant Pathology Committee)
  • Member, American Society for Microbiology (recipient of the ASM Online Minority Mentoring Award, 2011)
  • Member, Canadian Phytopathological Society

Language

English
French