Caroline Knox

Caroline Knox is Associate Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, South Africa, where she has held academic appointments since 2004 and served as Head of Microbiology from 2009 to 2021. She is a leading researcher in applied virology, focusing on the development of baculovirus-based biopesticides for sustainable control of agricultural insect pests.

Education & Post-doctoral Training

• PhD, University of the Witwatersrand (1988–1992)
• Post-doctoral Fellow, Hadassah Medical School, Israel (1994–1997)
• Post-doctoral Fellow, University of St Andrews, Scotland (1997–2003)

Research Interests

Prof Knox’s laboratory investigates the genetic and biological characterisation of baculoviruses as environmentally benign alternatives to chemical insecticides. Her group studies virus–host interactions, genome stability under field conditions, and strategies to overcome insect resistance. A parallel line of work examines human enteric viruses in water and food matrices, providing critical data for public-health surveillance in Africa.

Current projects leverage next-generation sequencing, molecular phylogenetics, and in-silico modelling to design next-generation viral biopesticides targeting Thaumatotibia leucotreta, Cydia pomonella, Plutella xylostella, and other lepidopteran pests of citrus and vegetable crops. Collaborative links with Citrus Research International and the Centre for Biological Control ensure rapid translation of laboratory discoveries into registered commercial products.

Recent Publication Trends

Between 2016 and 2023 the Knox group has published more than 20 peer-reviewed papers, reflecting two dominant themes: (i) molecular optimisation of granuloviruses and nucleopolyhedroviruses for improved field performance, and (ii) environmental surveillance of human pathogenic viruses in aquatic ecosystems and shellfish. The work integrates genomics, structural virology, and applied entomology, underscoring the dual focus on agricultural biotechnology and public-health virology.

Scientific Awards

No major awards or fellowships are explicitly listed in the provided material.

Research Supervision & Funding

Prof Knox currently supervises five postgraduate students: two PhD candidates (Dr Michael Jukes, Dr Marcel van der Merwe) and three MSc students (Siyabonga Poswa, Siviwe Tole, Tadiwa Kambani). Her research is supported through partnerships with the Centre for Biological Control (Rhodes University), Citrus Research International, and national funding agencies.

Laboratory & Collaborations

The Knox Lab operates within the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Core facilities include insect-rearing units, BSL-2 virology suites, and high-throughput sequencing platforms. International collaborators span the UK, France, Israel, and several African institutions.