Bourlaye Fofana, Ph.D.

Image Bourlaye Fofana
Chercheur Scientifique

Physiologie Moléculaire et Génomique Végétale

Recherche et / ou projets en cours

Projets actuels

1. 2019-2023  J-002269 – Evaluate effects of  manure application in combination  with cover on  plant endophytes using metagenomics, PEI Living Labs project - Using living laboratory approach to develop and transfer innovative soil and water quality BMPs in Prince Edward Island, $102,700

2. 2019- 2022  J-002235 – Quality attributes in small fruit crops - Improvement of quality attributes in strawberry, raspberry and blackberry using metabolomic and genomic approaches, $40,000

3. 2019-2023  J-002214 – Lupuloides hops development - Evaluating phytochemical and agronomic traits of native hops (Humulus lupulus ssp lupuloides) for Eastern Canadian production systems, $33,360

4. 2018-2021    J-001776 – Cover Crops, Disease & Soil Biodiversity - Impact of cover cropping on soil microbial biodiversity, disease and pathogen load. Adam Forster (Lead), $100,000

5. 2018-2023  J-002035 – ASC-05 Diverse FC Cluster Activity 4A - ASC-05 Diverse FC Cluster Activity 4A: Genomics and molecular markers to identify resistance genes in flax, $80,000.

 

Projets récemment complétés

6. 2015-2019  J-000991 – Integrated research-development-technology-transfer approach to enhance productivity and sustainability of potato production in Canada, $340,000

7. 2015-2018  J-001005 –Developing eastern hop (Humulus lupulus var. lupuloides) germplasm resources for improved quality traits and disease resistance, $36,000

8. 2013-2017  J-000916 – Understanding the bio-insecticidal properties of buckwheat for wireworm control and the benefits associated with growing it as a rotation crop/Understanding the microbial diversity in the buckwheat rhizosphere when compared to other rotation crops and to understand the potential interactions between the plant, the soil microbiomes and wireworm.. $ 121,300

9. 2013-2016.  J-000076 – Development of a proof-of-concept for the generation and use of mutagenized dihaploid potato lines for accelerated breeding of potato cultivars low in glycoalkaloid content and acrylamide in processed product, $121,000

10 2009-2014 – Flax Total Utilization Flax GENomics (TUFGEN) project/. Flax lignan biosynthesis, bioavailability and bioactivity, $308,750.

11. 2009-2011 – Rosehip – Innovative Canadian bioActives and Nutraceuticals  (ICAN)-rosehip project”/Rosehip genomic and germplasm characterization aspects, $316,569; Dr. Fofana : $194,269 (RBPI #1636).

Énoncés de recherches/projets

Le programme de recherche de Dr. Fofana est axé sur le développement et la caractérisation des ressources phylogénétique pour l’amélioration génétique des cultures, sur le développement de bioprocédés et de ressources génomiques à partir de ressources phylogénétiques et microbiennes pour la mise à disposition des améliorateurs, des biologistes et de l’industrie agroalimentaire, de la santé et du bien-être, de ressources végétales oléagineuses et horticoles, et de bioproduits à hautes valeurs ajoutées.  Il utilise la physiologie moléculaire, la génomique et la metagénomique comme outils pour atteindre ses objectifs incluant:

  • Remodelage des cultures

  • Re-ingénierie de voies métaboliques

  • Qualité des graines

  • Ingénierie ds biomasses de biocarburants

  • Qualité Pre- et post-recolte

  • Developpement de ressources phytogénétiques

Activités professionnelles / intérêts

Fonctions éditoriales

  • Editeur Technique, Section Horticulture, Canadian Journal of Plant Science  2019-present

  • Editeur Associé, Botany  2018-present

  • Editeur Associé, Canadian Journal of Plant Science  2016-present

  • Réviseur Invité  pour de nombreux journaux scientifiques

Prix et études

Education

2006   Certification en Enseignement Superieur (CHET)- Université du Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

1999    PhD, Biologie et génétique moleculare végétale -Université Agronomique de Gembloux ,Belgium

1995    MSc, Biologie et génétique moleculare végétale -Université Agronomique de Gembloux ,Belgium

1993    AEA, Amélioration des plantes- Université Nationale  de Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

1992    Msc, Génétique – Université Nationale  de Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan,Côte d’Ivoire

1991,   Bsc, Biologie et Cciences Naturelles- Université Nationale  de Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan,Côte d’Ivoire

 

Prix décernés

Bourse de Recherches, Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada, 2002-2005

Prix de recherche, Prix du Secrétaire d’Etat Belge pour la coopération au développement , 1998

Bourse de voyage, Fonds National Belge pour la recherche Scientifique, 1998

Bourse d'études étrangères, Gouvernement Ivoirien, Ministère de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherche scientifique, 1993 – 1999.

Expérience et / ou de travail international

Conseiller Volontaire - CESO-SACO: Missions de travail au Burkina Faso et en Côte d’Ivoire, 2017, 2018.

Principales publications

  1. Solanum tuberosum Genotyping by Sequencing

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  2. MTA Out - AGR - 20370 - Biotechnology- Plasmid construct transfer to Dr. Gefu Wang-Pruski (Dalhousie University)

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  3. INV-20290 - Drought resistance genes in diploid potatoes

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  4. MTA Out - AGR - 20102 - Germplasm - AAFC potato clone expressing eGFP protein transfered to Dr. Gefu Wang-Pruski (Dalhousie University)

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  5. INV-20301 - Non browning gene-edited potatoes

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  6. Diploid potatoes in changing climate biotic and abiotic challenges

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  7. Potato Greening through ‘omics approaches

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  8. Effects of soil building practices on plant endophytes associated with individual rotation crops

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  9. Antioxidant Boosts Immunity Against Late Blight in Potatoes Weekly Scoence Stories,

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  10. MTA - germplasm transfer to Dr. Braulio Soto-Cerda (Chili)

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  11. Antioxidants, a booster shot for late blight prevention in potatoes

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  12. Candidate genes for common scab (Streptomyces scabies) and drought resistance in potato as revealed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS)
    Bourlaye Fofana, Mohsin Zaidi,, and David MAIN
    Charlottetown Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 4N6, Canada

    *bourlaye.fofana@agr.gc.ca
    Potato scab (Streptomyces scabies) is widespread in all potato growing regions, and it significantly reduces potato quality and marketability. Drought, as an abiotic stress, is a major threat to crop productivity. Currently, the genome-wide architecture of the genetic control of these two traits are limited in potato. Here, we used a genome-wide association studies on a 384 diploid potato germplasm panel to determine the potato genomic regions and the genes potentially associated with resistance to scab and drought. Here, we show that three candidate genes located in a 0.5- 5 kb genomic region of chromosome 7 are associated with scab resistance. Furthermore, two major QTNs located on chromosome 5, explained by 16 and 32% of phenotypic variations were found associated with 25 candidate genes. The data will be presented and discussed in a context of global changing climate.

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  13. Toward evidence that homologs of RPW8 act through salicylic acid signaling in powdery mildew resistance in flax
    Vanessa Clemis1,2, Mohsin Zaidi, Frank You3, Chunfang Zheng3, Sylvie Cloutier3, and Bourlaye Fofana1
    1Charlottetown Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 4N6, Canada
    2University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 4P3, Canada
    3Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C6, Canada
    *bourlaye.fofana@agr.gc.ca
    Powdery mildew (PM) is an obligate biotrophic fungus (Podosphaera lini) causing high yield loss to flax (Linum usitatissimum L.). To date, no PM resistance genes have been fully functionally characterized. Using GWAS, we identified a locus harboring three flax homologs of the Arabidopsis RPW8 genes that confer broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew. Here, we characterized the gene expression profile of the three RPW8 candidate genes following PM inoculation. The data showed that, similar to RPW8.2 acting through the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway, the RPW8 homologs Lus10000835 and Lus10000836 are highly expressed in resistant flax lines compared to the suscpetible lines. In contrast, the flax RPW8 homolog Lus10009328 was highly expressed in the susceptible lines, suggesting a different signaling pathway from the other two homologs. RPW8.1 has been shown to activate ethylene signaling through aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase gene isoform 4 (ACO4) and, this elevated ethylene negatively regulates the expression of RPW8.1, thereby attenuating its mediated-cell death and disease resistance when no disease is present to avoid unnecessary defense responses. We conclude that PM resistance induced by RPW8 in flax may mainly be activated through SA signaling pathways, and perhaps similarly to the ethylene signaling in Arabidopsis.

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  14. Flax Genomic Workshop - Workshop organizer

    2023 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  15. MTA AGR-19473 for incoming plant materials

    2022 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  16. Mutational Genetics In Diploid Potato In The CRISPR Era
    Fofana, B.*1, A. Somalraju1, D. Main1, M. Zaidi1, B. Bizimungu2
    1Charlottetown Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 4N6, Canada; 2Fredeicton Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 95 Innovation Road, PO Box 20280, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Z7
    Cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fourth most consumed food crop after rice wheat and maize. Cultivated potato is a clonally propagated, autotetraploid crop species with a narrow genetic diversity. Its highly heterozygous, complex genome, and tetrasomic inheritance make its genetic studies and improvement more difficult than grain crops. Recently, diploid potato breeding has regained an interest in the potato genetics community. Genetically, diploid potatoes are easy to work with, can be used as gene donors in the breeding process of cultivated potatoes, and can also be grown on their own as varieties. However, diploid breeding continuum faces many challenges including anti-nutritional factors and self-incompatibilities. Mutations are known as the key drivers for evolution and diversification in plants. In breeding and varietal selection, sources for variation are always sought as starting materials, and in the absence of desired natural variations in breeding populations, targeted or random mutagenesis is applied to induce variations. Recently, a mutagenized pre-breeding diploid potato population was developed at AAFC Charlottetown. Dr. Fofana will give an update on this genetic resource, its characterization, and its potentials in the CRISPR era.

    2022 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  17. Potato greening: gaining an understanding through ‘omics approaches
    K. Dougherty1, T. F. Mitterboeck1*, M. Lague1, M. Zaidi2, B. Bizimungu1, and B. Fofana2. 1Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 4Z7 (e-mail:fatima.mitterboeck@agr.gc.ca); and 2Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada C1A 4N6.

    Potato ‘greening’ occurs when tubers are exposed to light, and results from a de novo synthesis of chlorophyll and a simultaneous formation of steroidal glycoalkaloids, which are toxic to humans and animals. Potato is the largest vegetable crop in Canada, and this greening causes substantial loss of products. Currently, there are no potato cultivars that are resistant to light–induced greening available on the market. The goal of this study is to understand the genetic components and molecular mechanisms of light-induced greening, and to use this knowledge to develop gene-editing tools to generate cultivars resistant to greening. From a core germplasm collection of over 800 mutant potato clones, two clones were observed to be tolerant to light-induced greening. These two non-greening clones, along with a greening control, underwent whole genome sequencing as well as transcriptomic sequencing after light exposure. Here, we will show our findings on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and structural variants (SV) that differentiate the non-greening from greening clones. Deploying the non-greening trait into popular potato cultivars would be of high interest to the industry and stakeholders both for tuber appearance, quality, safety, marketability, and food waste reduction.

    2022 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  18. Fighting against potato greening
    Louis G. Sebarese LG1, Mohsin Zaidi1, Christian Lacroix2, Fatima Mitterboek3, Benoit Bizimungu3, and Bourlaye Fofana1
    1Charlottetown Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 4N6, Canada
    2University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 4P3, Canada
    3Fredericton Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 4Z7, Canada
    Potato is the largest vegetable crop in Canada, with an export value of $1.8B in 2019. As a major food source, potato nutritional quality and safety are critical for the public health. Potato greening, also known as potato sunburn, causes 2-3% loss at the farm gate and up to 17% during postharvest and retail storage. It results from a de novo synthesis of chlorophyll in the cortical parenchyma cells under the periderm after light exposure and leads to a simultaneous formation of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs). Whereas chlorophyll itself is not a health hazard, SGAs are toxic to humans and animals. Development of potato cultivars that are resistant to light-induced greening is a viable strategy for an economic and environmental sustainability. We will present and discuss our approach and preliminary results towards an understanding of the tuber greening phenomenon in potato.

    2022 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  19. Mutational genetics in the CRISPR era: where do we stand at AAFC?

    2022 - Consulter les détails de la publication

  20. Living laboratories Initiative progress report. Lightning presentation science updates. Rodd Royalty, Charlottetown, Feb 22, 2022 (Oral presentation).

    2022 - Consulter les détails de la publication

Installation de recherche

440, avenue University
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4N6
Canada

Affiliations

Affiliations

  • Professeur Auxilliaire, Departement de Biologie, UPEI, 2008 – present

  • Professeur Auxilliaire,  Departement des Sciences Végétales, Alimentaires, et Environmentales, Faculte d'Agriculture Université Dalhousie , April 2020 - Présent

  • Membre de la Société Canadienne de Biologie végétale, Octobre 2006-présent

  • Membre de la Societé Américaine de Biologie végétale, Octobre 2008-présent

  • Membre et Secrétaire de la Société Canadienne des Sciences Horticoles, April 2016 - présent

Langue

Anglais
Français