Email: carlos.bezuidenhout@nwu.ac.za
Phone: +27 18 299 2315

SHORT CV - Prof. Carlos Bezuidenhout

Carlos was born in Uitenhage. After matriculating at Uitenhage High School he obtained a B,Sc, B.Sc Honours (Microbiology with distinction and full academic colours) and PhD (Biotechnology) from Rhodes University, Grahamstown. He also obtained a Teaching Diploma from the University of the Western Cape.

Carlos has worked in the chemical engineering industry and has extensive teaching experience at secondary school level. In 1999 he was appointed as researcher at the University of Zululand, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology. He was instrumental in establishing a molecular laboratory at University of Zululand. During 2001 Carlos was appointed as lecturer at UZ, responsible for teaching Biochemistry and Microbiology modules. In 2002 he was appointed as Senior Lecturer in the School for Environmental Sciences and Development at PU for CHE (Now North-West University), within the subject group of Microbiology. His responsibilities include teaching of undergraduate and post graduate modules in microbial and molecular genetics, genome analysis and biotechnology.

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RESEARCH INTERESTS - Prof. Carlos Bezuidenhout

Research Projects:

• NRF: Reuse of Industrial Process Waters
• NRF: Biofilm Microbial Analysis
• NRF: Analysis of Microbial Diversity
• WRC: Dual-Stage Membrane Bioreactor
• NRF: Integrated Research in Urban areas
           Project Leader Prof S.S. Cilliers
• NRF: Mycotoxins in Staple Foods
           Project Leader: Ms A.M. van der Walt

Although his research interests are varied, he is at present focussing on microbial diversity studies in which molecular methods are used to study the dynamics of microbial interactions under natural and stress conditions. The relevance of knowledge from such studies has a number of applications. It could be applied to (i) predict pollution events (ii) provide recommendations useful for natural rehabilitation (iii) create artificial streams and wetlands for rehabilitation (iii) membrane technology systems that are utilized in treatment of liquid and gaseous waste (iv) prediction and control of microbial induced corrosion, fouling and scaling in cooling towers (v) discovery of novel genes and genomes. Furthermore, is he an active member of the Marogo Research Programme and supervises projects on the molecular genotyping of mycotoxin producing fungal species as well as expression and regulation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of these genes. Another interest is the population dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes in natural populations.

Other research interest include:

a) Molecular Genotypic Characterization of Zulu Sheep.

b) Molecular Epidemiology of Multiple Antibiotic Resistance.

c) Molecular Population Genetics of Domestic Ostriches.

d) Use of molecular population genetics data of aquatic species (including waterbugs) as limnological parameters to indicate pollution events.

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CONTACT DETAILS - Prof. Carlos Bezuidenhout

Prof. Carlos Bezuidenhout
School of Environmental Sciences and Development
Potchefstroom campus
North-West University
Private Bag X6001
Potchefstroom 2520
South Africa 

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