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Dr Msizi Mhlongo

Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of Department (Teaching and Learning)
Name: Msizi Mhlongo
Location: C2 Lab 401 Auckland Park Kingsway Campus
Biochemistry Staff  Staff Members

Contact Details:
Tel: +27 (0) 11 559 4573

Email: mmhlongo@uj.ac.za

About Dr Msizi Mhlongo

Dr. Msizi Mhlongo’s research is divided into two main themes:

  1. Plant-Microbe/Microbe-Microbe Interactions and Plant Defense Priming: Dr Mhlongo’s research explores the intricate biochemical exchanges involved in plant-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions, which are vital for external stimuli perception, signal transduction and metabolic responses. His work also delves into how plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) prime plants for defense against biotic stress. By utilising advanced metabolomics approaches combined with machine learning algorithms, Dr. Mhlongo aims to unravel these chemical exchanges, the resulting metabolic perturbations in interacting organisms and the mechanisms through which PGPR enhance plant resilience. This research advances the understanding of ecological interactions, promotes sustainable agricultural practices and supports environmental health, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of zero hunger (SDG 2), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and life on land (SDG 15).
  2. 2. Natural product and drug discovery: Here, Dr Mhlongo investigate the pharmacological properties of South African medicinal plants, focusing on their anti-COVID-19, cancer and anti-plasmodial activity. His research integrates modern technologies like LC-MS-based metabolomics, network pharmacology and machine learning to unravel the complex biochemical mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of these plants. By analysing the metabolite profiles of medicinal plants, Dr Mhlongo aim to identify bioactive compounds and elucidate their modes of action at the molecular level. This multidisciplinary approach not only contributes to the discovery of novel therapeutic agents but also advances the understanding of traditional medicine in modern healthcare, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of good health and well-being (SDG 3) and innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9).

Links:

Google scholar profile: ‪Msizi Innocent Mhlongo – ‪Google Scholar

ORCiD Profile: Msizi Mhlongo (0000-0002-6418-6620) – ORCID

Research articles

  1. Khoabane, R., Mhlongo, M. I. and George, M. J. (2023). Phytochemical characterization of some herbal concoctions made and sold in Lesotho that are claimed to treat COVID-19 and related respiratory ailments. Orapuh Journal. 4: e1006. doi: 10.4314/orapj.v4i1.6.
  2. Mashabela, M. D., Tugizimana, F., Steenkamp, P. A., Piater L. A., Dubery, I. A. and Mhlongo M. I. (2023). Metabolite profiling of susceptible and resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars responding to Puccinia striiformis f sp. Tritici infection. MBC Plant Biol.23:293. doi:10.1186/s12870-23-04313-9.
  3. Mashabela, M. D., Tugizimana, F., Steenkamp, P. A., Piate,r L. A., Dubery, I. A. and Mhlongo M. I. (2023). Metabolomic evaluation of PGPR defence priming in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars infected with Puccinia striiformis sp. tritici (stripe rust). Front. Plant Sci. 14:1103413. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1103413.
  4. Ramatapa, T. Msobo, A., Maphari, P. W., Ncube, N. E., Nogemane, N. and Mhlongo, M. I. (2022). Identification of plant-derived bioactive compounds using affinity mass spectrometry and molecular networking. Metabolites, 12, 863. doi: 10.3390/metabo12090863.
  5. Mbedzi, D. T., Mathomu, L. M., Mhlongo, M. I. and Madala N. E. (2022). Ultraviolet (UV) light-induced geometrical isomerization of cinnamic acid containing molecules: A plausible, non-enzymatic approach to modify metabolite composition of plant extracts. Afr. J. Bot.150, 845 -850. doi: 10.1016/j.sajb.2022.08.043.
  6. Mashabela, M. D., Tugizimana, F., Steenkamp, P. A., Piater, L. A., Dubery, I. A. and Mhlongo M. I. (2022). Untargeted metabolite profiling to elucidate rhizosphere and leaf metabolome changes of wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) treated with the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Paenibacillus alvei (T22) and Bacillus subtilis. Front. Microbiol. 13:971836. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.971836.
  7. Mhlongo, M. I., Piater, L. A., and Dubery I. A. (2022). Profiling of volatile organic compounds from four plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria by SPME–GC–MS: A metabolomics study. Metabolites, 12, 763. doi: 10.3390/metabo12080763.
  1. Mashabela, M. D., Piater L. A., Dubery, I. A., Tugizimana, F., and Mhlongo M. I. (2022). Rhizosphere tripartite interactions and PGPR-mediated metabolic reprogramming towards ISR and plant priming: A metabolomics review. Biology, 11, 346. doi: 10.3390/biology11030346.
  2. Zeiss, D. R., Mhlongo, M. I., Tugizimana, F., Steenkamp, P. A., and Dubery, I. A. (2019). Metabolomic profiling of the host response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) following infection by Ralstonia solanacearum. J. Mol. Sci. 20, 3945. doi: 10.3390/ijms20163945.
  3. Mhlongo, M. I., Piater, L. A., Madala, N. E., Labuschagne, N., and Dubery, I. A. (2018). The chemistry of plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere and the potential for metabolomics to reveal signaling related to defense priming and induced systemic resistance. Front. Plant Sci. 9, 112. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00112.