Featured Research: Genomics & Biotechnology

  • Gallery

    How to do a beak transplant on a vulture

    The beak of the female African white-backed vulture was crushed when she was hit by a car in March 2023. Have a look at how University of Pretoria researchers found a way to help her eat again.

  • Story

    Another first for South Africa as UP veterinary team performs beak transplant on vulture

    What do you do when a vulture with a crushed beak needs a new beak and two attempts to fit an acrylic beak fail? You improvise and use the beak of a deceased vulture, successfully enabling the injured bird to feed again.

  • Infographic

    What do macadamias, artichokes, proteas and dinosaurs have in common?

    University of Pretoria researchers find that the common ancestor of the approximately 100 species of Protea found in South Africa and Australia’s related macadamia nut trees (such as Macadamia integrifolia) and waratah (Telopea speciosissima) dates back to when dinosaurs went extinct.

  • Story

    UP researchers decode genome of king protea

    University of Pretoria (UP) researchers are at the forefront of a very special first for South African plant sciences. They have unravelled the precise genetic make-up of the country’s national flower, the king protea (Protea cynaroides). It is the first plant that’s unique to South Africa – and the species-rich fynbos biome in particular – to have its entire genome sequenced in-depth.

  • Story

    RE.SEARCH Issue 5: Impact

    This issue of RE.SEARCH looks at the impact of the University of Pretoria's research from early childhood interventions and the use of traditional medicines for holistic nursing to the role of women in peacekeeping efforts. The issue also provides insight into the critical question of coal power supply and how it will affect the economic opportunities of communities in the future.

  • Web Series

    Fairy circles

    In this episode, we learn about a theory from researchers at the University of Pretoria that could explain 'fairy circles' in Namibia. The answer may be in a theory proposed by Prof Don Cowan. He explains more in this episode.

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

Share