Molecular characterization of Mycoplasma gallisepticum strains from South African poultry

This dissertation is dedicated to my parents Mamatsaba and Ohentse, my siblings Lerato and Lebogang, my cousin siblings Diau, Keneilwe, Ntsane and my grandmother Sponkie. 2 Acknowledgements I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the following: God, for I am a product of his mercy and love. This has been a successful year and I know I could not have done it alone. Thank you Father. Prof. Bragg for his everlasting support. Thank you for believing in me and making my studies the more interesting. I couldn't have asked for a better supervisor. Kulsum Kondiah for her useful advices, willingness to help and friendship. Thank you " G " Tracy and Desai from Allerton for providing me with the South African samples. Dr, N. Nkomo from Immunovet in Zimbabwe for providing samples isolated in Zimbabwe. Arina Jansen for the initial translation of the summary into Afrikaans. Prof. Koos Albertyn for interesting discussions on molecular biology, valuable advice and critical checking of the Afrikaans version of the summary. Antonio Garcia-Moyano for his dedication in helping me with the DGGE assays and advices. Nandipha Mfenyana for a short lecture on MEGA while I dosed off. My mother Mamatsaba whom I love more than anything in this world: Thank you for always being a pillar of strength for me and everybody else. You have taught me all the good things I know. Make no mistake, all my successes are also yours. My father Ohentse, thank you for being a father I never had. You are a man of great caliber who gives our family great dignity. My younger brothers and my cousin siblings: I am one of you and here I am. Indeed if I can do it, all of you can perfect it. I want all of you to be the best you possibly can. Thank you for always missing me when I am away. The Shopo family for all their support, especially Tshidi. You have taught me the real meaning of patience. Grandma Moipone, thanks for naming me Lehlohonolo, it's working My friends Obakeng and Tshiu. Guys, we have made it this far and much more is still to come. Thank you for all the joys and sorrows. Siphelele and Bongani: thank you for being such good friends. My other valuable friends: Moleboheng and Nthuseng keep it up. To my friend and roommate Segomoco, thank you for peace and …