Ruiyang Wang: Plant Physiology First Author

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Ruiyang Wang, first author of “Transcription factors GmERF1 and GmWRKY6 synergistically regulate low phosphorus tolerance in soybean”

Current Position: Master candidate in Henan Agricultural University

Education: Henan Agricultural University (Bachelor’s degree) Henan Agricultural University (Master candidate)

Non-scientific Interests: Reading, Ball games

Brief biography: I focused on the molecular mechanism research and breeding application of important functional genes for low phosphorus (LP) tolerance in soybean, since I studied at Henan Agricultural University and supervised by professor Dan Zhang in 2020. In this paper, combining with transcriptome analysis, spatio-temporal expression pattern analysis, haplotype analysis and domestication analysis, we found that GmERF1 was a key candidate gene related to phosphorus efficiency. Functional analysis showed that GmERF1 could regulate soybean root architecture and tolerance to LP stress by mediating ethylene content in roots of transgenic plants. Further analysis identified GmERF1 and GmWRKY6 interact with each other and jointly inhibit the expression of a series of downstream target genes such as GmPHT1s in the phosphorus metabolic pathway. Our study not only provides a new gene resource for efficient molecular breeding of soybean phosphorus, but also provides a reference model for plant adaptation to LP stress.

第一作者：王瑞阳

目前职位：河南农业大学硕士研究生

教育经历：河南农业大学 学士

河南农业大学 硕士研究生

兴趣爱好：阅读，球类运动

个人简介：于2020年加入河南农业大学农学院张丹教授课题组，研究方向主要集中在大豆耐低磷重要功能基因的分子机制研究及育种应用。本研究结合转录组分析、时空表达模式分析、单倍型分析及驯化分析表明，GmERF1是一个与磷效率相关的关键候选基因；功能分析表明该基因能够通过调节转基因植株根系的乙烯含量进而调控大豆根系构型以及对低磷胁迫的耐受性；进一步分析发现GmERF1和GmWRKY6存在相互作用且共同抑制磷代谢途径中GmPHT1s等下游一系列靶基因的表达。我们的研究不仅为大豆磷高效分子育种提供了新的基因资源，而且为植物响应低磷胁迫的适应机制提供了一个参考模型。

Feng Tao: Plant Physiology First Author

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Feng Tao, first author of “Neofunctionalization of tandem duplicate genes encoding putative β-L-arabinofuranosidases in Arabidopsis”

Current Position: Beijing Do.Care Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd, Product Manager

Education:

B.S. Lanzhou University

M.S. University of Glasgow

Ph.D. Wayne State University

Non-scientific Interests: Jogging, Cooking, and Travelling

Brief biography:

My research experience during my Ph.D. study is like the experience in Marathon. Both the journeys and the feelings during the journey are the same. Especially the feelings at the finish line, I challenged myself and obtained other several fruitful results. Among them, one achievement is the article “Neofunctionalization of tandem duplicate genes encoding putative beta-L-arabinofuranosidases in Arabidopsis”. With the guidance of Dr. Chuanzhu Fan, I studied recent duplicate genes in Arabidopsis. In this article, I tried to use all the available resources and data to comprehensively prove that AT5G12950 and AT5G12960 function as b-L-arabinofuranosidases but have divergent biological functions. This study will guide future studies of the possible important function of β-L-arabinofuranose in pollen. Unfortunately, my current job is away from plant research due to several reasons. However, I believe all the experience would be helpful for my current and future career, and I will still make more contributions in the scientific area.

第一作者：陶枫

目前职位：北京科创鼎诚医药科技有限公司，管线经理

教育经历：

学士 兰州大学

硕士 格拉斯哥大学

博士 韦恩州立大学

兴趣爱好：跑步，烹饪和旅游

个人简历：

我博士期间的研究经历如同我参加马拉松比赛，其中的旅程和感受都是一样的，尤其是在终点线时的心情: 挑战了自我并有很多其他的收获。而其中的一项成果即是这篇文章“拟南芥的一对编码阿拉伯呋喃糖酶串联重复基因在产生后所表现的新功能”。在导师Chuanzhu Fan博士的指导下，我的研究主题是关于拟南芥的新重复基因。而在这篇文章里，我尝试利用所有可用的资源和数据来完整地证明了新重复基因AT5G12950和AT5G12960既都是阿拉伯呋喃糖酶，但同时又具有不同的生物学功能。本研究为今后阿拉伯呋喃糖在花粉中可能的重要功能研究提供了生物学指导。遗憾的是，由于各种原因，我目前的工作与植物研究无关。但博士期间的收获将始终帮助我现在和未来的职业，而我也将继续在科学领域上做出更多的贡献。

 

Shuyan Song: The Plant Cell First Author

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Shuyan Song, first author of “The functional evolution of architecturally different plant geranyl diphosphate synthases from geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase” 

Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow in State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology & ZJU‐Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou

Education：2017-2022 Ph.D in Nanjing university; 2013-2015 MS in Huazhong Agricultural University; 2009-2013 BS in Huazhong Agricultural University

Non-scientific Interests: Musical, reading; cycling

Brief bio: I joined Prof. Shan Lu’s lab at Nanjing University for a PhD project about the functional evolution of the plant GGPPS family. Previous research of LuLab discovered the multifaceted functions of GGPPS family members in supplying and branching GGPP metabolite flux for terpenoids synthesis, and different strategies were adopted by rice and pepper GGPPS homologs to produce GPP. We wondered the functional evolution of the plant GGPPS family members and how they evolved to produce GPP. By combining phylogenetic analysis with functional characterization of GGPPS homologs from a wide range of photosynthetic organisms, we investigated how different GPPS architectures have evolved within the GGPPS protein family. Our results reveal that GGPPS gene family expansion and functional divergence began early in nonvascular plants, and that independent parallel evolutionary processes gave rise to homomeric and heteromeric GPPSs. Our study elucidated an evolutionary path for the formation of GPPSs with different architectures from GGPPSs and uncovered the molecular mechanisms involved in this differentiation. After graduation, I joined Prof. Ronghui Pan’s lab to investigate the lineage-specific metabolites produced via peroxisomes in rice, and develop strategies for the plant peroxisome engineering modification.

姓名：宋书言

目前职位：浙江大学杭州国际科创中心/浙江大学农业与生物技术学院，博士后。

教育经历：南京大学，博士；华中农业大学，硕士；华中农业大学，学士。

兴趣爱好：音乐剧，阅读，骑车。

个人简介：我于2017年加入南京大学卢山老师课题组攻读博士学位，围绕植物GGPPS家族的功能演化机制展开研究。实验室之前的研究发现在水稻和辣椒中，GGPPS家族成员不仅参与GGPP的合成与代谢分流，也采用不同的模式负责GPP的供应，于是我们好奇植物GGPPS家族的功能演化及其参与GPP合成的分子机制。通过将系统发育分析与功能表征相结合，我们研究多个物种中植物GGPPS基因家族的功能，发现该家族的扩增和功能分化在非维管植物中就开始了，并且独立演化出同源聚体和异源聚体两种结构的GPPS，我们阐明了植物GPPS形成的演化路径，并揭示其功能演化的分子机制。博士毕业后，我加入浙江大学潘荣辉老师课题组从事博士后研究，接下来我将对水稻过氧化物酶体介导的特有次生代谢物合成机制，以及植物过氧化物酶体工程改造展开研究。

Xin-Meng Zhu: Plant Physiology First Author

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Xin-Meng, co-first author of “Symbiosis between Dendrobium catenatum protocorms and Serendipita indica involves the plant hypoxia response pathway”

Current Position: Master at Yunnan University

Education: Bachelor, Linyi University；Master, Yunnan University

Non-scientific Interests: volleyball, traveling

Brief bio:  In 2020, I conducted research on the molecular mechanism of symbiosis between plants and mycorrhizal fungi under the guidance of Prof. Jiangyun Gao and Prof. Jiajia Han. Orchid mycorrhizal are often highly specific compared with other mycorrhizal , however, the molecular mechanism of orchid mycorrhizal symbiosis is largely unknown. The study of the symbiotic relationship between orchids and fungi has important scientific significance and application prospect for understanding the relationship between plants and fungi. In the future, I will continue to explore the interesting story of mycorrhizal symbiosis.

目前职位：云南大学，生态与环境学院，硕士研究生在读。

教育经历：临沂大学，学士；云南大学，硕士。

兴趣爱好：排球，旅行。

个人简介：2020年，我有幸进入高江云老师课题组，在韩佳嘉老师指导下，开展植物与菌根真菌共生的分子机制方面的研究。兰科菌根与其他菌根类型相比有着特异性，然而兰科菌根的分子机制在很大程度上是未知的。研究兰科植物与真菌之间的共生关系对于理解植物和真菌相互关系具有重要科学意义和应用前景。后续我也将继续挖掘菌根共生中的有趣故事。

Zhi-Xiong Xu: Plant Physiology First Author

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Zhi-Xiong Xu, co-first author of “Symbiosis between Dendrobium catenatum protocorms and Serendipita indica involves the plant hypoxia response pathway”

Current position: Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Assistant engineer.

Educational experience: 2018/9-2021/6, Yunnan University, ecology, Master of Science; 2014/9-2018/6, Kunming University, biology, Bachelor of Science.

Non-Scientific Interests: play basketball.

Brief Bio:

In 2014, I entered the Department of Life Science and Technology of Kunming University to study, which cultivated my keen interest in biology and planted a seed of science in my heart. In 2018, I had the honor to join the team of professor Gao Jiangyun in Yunnan University as a postgraduate student. I followed associate professor Han Jiajia to carry out research on the symbiotic relationship between orchid plants and mycorrhizal fungi. After more than three years of research and exploration, our study revealed that S. indica is widely compatible with orchids and that ADH and its related hypoxia-responsive pathway are involved in establishing successful symbiotic relationships in germinating orchids. At present, I have been employed in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of Chinese Academy of Sciences and undertaken the biological monitoring work, which opens another chapter in my story with plants. I hope I can find more wonderful stories about plants.

姓名：徐志雄

目前职位：中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园 助理工程师

教育经历：

2018/9-2021/6 云南大学 生态学 理学硕士

2014/9-2018/6 昆明学院 生物学 理学学士

兴趣爱好：打篮球

个人简介:

2014年，我进入昆明学院生命科学与技术系学习，培养了我对生物学的浓厚兴趣，并在我的心里埋下了一颗科学的种子。2018年，我有幸以硕士研究生的身份进入云南大学高江云研究员的团队，跟随韩佳嘉副研究员开展兰科植物与菌根真菌的共生关系的研究。经过三年多的研究与探索，我们发现了一株真菌印度梨形孢可以与多种兰科植物建立共生关系，乙醇脱氢酶及其相关的低氧应答途径参与了兰科植物种子共生萌发过程中的共生关系建立。目前，我已在中国科学院西双版纳热带植物园入职并且承担生物监测工作，开启了我与植物的故事的又一个新篇章。希望我能发现更多关于植物的精彩故事。

Endosperm cellularization and dehydration tolerance in the embryo

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Xu, Sato, et al. explore the longstanding mystery of why endosperm cellularization is essential for embryo survival and reveal a connection to dehydration responses.

Background: In most angiosperms, the endosperm initiates as a coenocyte and starts to cellularize after a defined number of nuclear divisions. This process of cellularization is frequently disrupted in hybrid seeds generated after crosses between different flowering plant species or plants that differ in ploidy and is thus a major obstacle to plant breeding. Restored endosperm cellularization allows researchers to rescue hybrid embryos, revealing an essential role of this process for embryo survival. Despite the importance of endosperm cellularization, why this developmental transition causes embryo arrest remained unknown.

Question: To address the functional importance of endosperm cellularization for embryo survival, we generated transcriptome data of triploid embryos that are surrounded by uncellularized endosperm and triploid embryos surrounded by cellularized endosperm.

Findings: Here we showed that embryos surrounded by an uncellularized endosperm mount an osmotic stress response that is connected to increased levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and ABA responses. By manipulating ABA biosynthesis and signaling, we revealed a causal connection between ABA-mediated osmotic stress and embryo arrest. Based on this data we propose that endosperm cellularization is required to establish dehydration tolerance in the developing embryo, ensuring survival during seed maturation. Researchers have known for decades that endosperm cellularization is essential for embryo survival, but what makes this transition relevant remained unknown. Our work provides important insights into this phenomenon.

Next steps: We found that ABA can suppress triploid seed abortion, but the detailed mechanism remains to be explored. We would like to understand the role of the ABA pathway for embryo survival by characterizing when, where, and how it acts during seed development.

Reference:

Wenjia Xu, Hikaru Sato, Heinrich Bente, Juan Santos-González, Claudia Köhler (2023) Endosperm cellularization failure induces a dehydration stress response leading to embryo arrest. https://doi.org/10.1093/plcell/koac337

Tingting Bao: Plant Physiology First Author

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Tingting Bao, first author of “Allelic Variation of Terpene Synthases Drives Terpene Diversity in the Wild Species of Freesia Genus”

Current Position:

Ph.D candidate from Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, China

Education:

2019-Now: Ph.D student, Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, China

2016-2019: Master, Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, China

2012-2016: Bachelor, Jilin Normal University, China

Non-scientific Interests:

Badminton, Movie

Brief bio:

Since 2016, I am working in the Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Northeast Normal University, China, trying to demystify the diverse and amazing volatile terpene synthesis underlying floral scent of horticultural plants.

From 2016 to 2019, I worked with my supervisor Dr. Xiang Gao and co-supervisor Dr. Li Wang characterizing the terpene synthases (TPSs) accounting for the volatilized-terpene heterogeneity in Lathyrus odoratus cultivar flowers. The data has already been published in Plant and Cell Physiology in 2020. Since 2019, I am mainly focusing on Freesia genus. My major work turns to decipher the effects of allelic TPS variations on interspecific terpene diversity under the supervisions of Dr. Xiang Gao and Dr. Yueqing Li. In this study, we characterized a total of 15 TPS genes responsible for floral volatile terpenes of 8 wild Freesia species. Furthermore, we took TPS2, TPS6 and TPS10 as examples to uncover how their alleles controlling terpene synthesis and affecting the terpene diversity among Freesia species. Our results shed light on the genetic basis of floral volatile terpene biosynthesis, dynamic evolution of duplicated TPSs in the Freesia genus, and may contribute to the establishment of ornamental flower varieties with desired fragrances.

姓名：包婷婷

当前职位：东北师范大学生命科学学院在读博士研究生

教育经历：

2019至今 东北师范大学 博士

2016-2019 东北师范大学 硕士

2012-2016 吉林师范大学 学士

兴趣爱好: 羽毛球 电影

个人简介：2016年，我进入东北师范大学分子表观遗传学教育部重点实验室学习，试图解析园艺植物花香之谜。2016年至2019年，在高翔教授和王丽教授的指导下，完成了“决定不同品种香豌豆花朵挥发性萜类化合物异质性的关键萜类合酶（TPSs）”的研究，相关数据已于2020年发表在“Plant and Cell Physiology”杂志。2019年至今，在高翔教授和李月庆副教授的指导下，完成了“萜类合酶（TPSs）等位变异驱动香雪兰属野生种间萜类挥发物多样性”的研究。在这项研究中，我们以8个香雪兰野生种为实验材料，共鉴定了15条TPS基因，此外，我们以TPS2、TPS6和TPS10为例，揭示了它们的等位基因是如何控制香雪兰属萜类的合成并影响其多样性的。研究结果揭示了香雪兰属种间花挥发物多样性的分子基础，在部分代表性野生种间建立了花香味与TPS等位基因变异的关系，本研究结果为野生植物TPS基因的功能多样性和进化提供了全新的视角，此外，功能验证的TPS蛋白和关键氨基酸残基也将有助于培育具有迷人香味的花卉新品种。

 

Yueying Liu: Plant Physiology First Author

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Yueying Liu, first author of “Regulation of capsule spine formation in castor” 

Current Position：

Prof. Zhimin Zheng laboratory in State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, a PhD student (Will graduate in June 2023)

Education：

Sep. 2017-June 2023：College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University，a PhD student (Master and doctoral reading)

Sep. 2013-June 2017: College of Life Science, Hebei University，Bachelor of Science

Non-scientific Interests：Photography, Reading, Travelling

Brief bio:

I joined Prof. Zhimin Zheng’s laboratory of Northeast Forestry University (State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding) in 2017 and master and doctoral reading. I worked on genetics and breeding on castor. My major research is genetic analysis on capsule spine phenotype in castor. Further, I engaged in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology of white birch (Betula platyphylla Suk.). Interested in research fields, such as molecular genetics and breeding, plant cell differentiation, gene editing and small RNA. To date, several studies have been published in journals such as Plant Physiology, Frontiers in Plant Science, and research related to CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, which I participated in as a co first author, is currently being submitted.

In this study, we used a map- and sequencing-based cloning strategy to identify RcMYB106 as a causative gene likely responsible for differences in the spine phenotypes of castor capsules and identified its function. Then we detected the downstream target gene RcWIN1. Results of biochemical experiment illustrated that RcMYB106 could positively activate RcWIN1 expression. This further explains the regulatory networks that could underlie spine formation on castor capsules. RcMYB106 therefore likely represents the first gene to be successfully cloned in castor using this kind of mapping strategy, which could also provide a way to further study important traits and their causative genes in other non-model plants. At the same time, it also revealed the regulatory pathway for castor spine phenotype, and further provided a novel idea for castor breeding.

论文：Regulation of capsule spine formation in castor

第一作者：刘月影

目前职位：东北林业大学林学院郑志民教授实验室，博士研究生（于2023年6月份毕业）

教育经历：2017年9月-2023年6月：东北林业大学生命科学学院，博士研究生

（硕博连读）；

2013年9月-2017年6月：河北大学生命科学学院，理学学士

兴趣爱好：摄影，阅读，旅行

个人简介：

我于2017年加入东北林业大学林郑志民教授团队（林木遗传育种国家重点实验室），在本实验室硕博连读，从事蓖麻遗传育种相关工作，期间主要对蓖麻蒴果果刺表型进行遗传分析，还从事林木白桦CRISPR-Cas9基因编辑技术相关工作，对植物分子遗传育种、植物细胞分化、基因编辑和小分子RNA等研究领域感兴趣。至今已在Plant Physiology、Frontiers in Plant Science等期刊发表多篇研究，目前以共同第一作者身份参与的CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑相关研究正在投稿中。

本研究论文主要内容如下，在蓖麻中通过2个独立的图位克隆遗传群体分离鉴定到了RcMYB106基因，并在蓖麻中对该基因进行生物学功能验证。通过转录组数据分析得到其下游靶基因RcWIN1基因，并通过双荧光素酶实验、EMSA和Y1H等实验对其进行上下游调控关系的鉴定，进而揭示了蓖麻蒴果果刺表型分子遗传调控网络。

Chengwei Song: Plant Physiology First Author

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Chengwei Song, first author of “PagUNE12 encoding a basic_helix-loop-helix transcription factor regulates the development of secondary vascular tissue in poplar”

Current Position: Henan University of Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Lecturer.

Education:

PhD Beijing Forestry University, Cell Biology (Principle supervisor: Prof. Jinxing Lin)

MSc. Henan University of Science and Technology, Master of Botany (Principle supervisor: Prof. Xiaogai Hou)

BSc. Henan University of Science and Technology, Bachelor of Science

Non-scientific Interests: History, Basketball

Brief bio:

I studied in Henan University of Science and Technology for my master’s degree, and mainly engaged in the research of develop molecular markers of peony based on retrotransposons. Recently, I obtained my PhD degree from the Beijing Forestry University with Prof. Jinxing Lin, and my research interests mainly focused on molecular mechanism of secondary vascular tissue development in poplar. Currently, I am a lecturer at Henan University of Science and Technology and studding the molecular mechanism of lignin biosynthesis affect flower stem development of tree peony.

In the present paper, we cloned a bHLH transcription factor gene PagUNE12 from 84K poplar. Overexpressing PagUNE12 significantly reduced plant height and internode length. According to cytological observations, overexpressing PagUNE12 in 84K poplar promoted the secondary xylem development with thicker secondary cell walls, and biochemical analysis showed that overexpressing PagUNE12 in 84K poplar enhanced lignin accumulated in the secondary xylem with lower ratio of syringyl (S) and guaiacyl (G) lignin units. Overall, our results demonstrated that PagUNE12 played an important role in regulating secondary growth in poplar, laying the foundation for generating optimized trees with improved wood quality for commercial afforestation.

 

姓名：宋程威

目前职位：河南科技大学，农学院，讲师

教育经历：

博士，北京林业大学，细胞生物学，导师：林金星教授，李瑞丽副教授

硕士，河南科技大学，植物学，导师：侯小改教授

本科，河南科技大学，理学学士学位

兴趣爱好：历史，打篮球

个人简介：

我硕士就读于河南科技大学，主要进行基于反转录转座子开发牡丹分子标记的研究。博士期间，我加入了北京林业大学林金星教授课题组，研究兴趣主要集中在杨树次生维管组织发育的分子机制研究。目前，我在河南科技大学任职，主要研究方向为牡丹木质素生物合成影响花茎发育的分子机制。

在本研究中，我们从84K杨树中克隆获得了一个bHLH转录因子PagUNE12，细胞学观察发现过表达PagUNE12促进84K杨次生木质部发育和次生细胞壁加厚，生化分析表明PagUNE12促进84K杨次生木质部木质素的积累，降低木质素单体S/G比值。我们的研究表明PagUNE12在调节杨树的次生生长发挥着重要作用，为林木性状遗传改良，进行优质木材经济造林奠定了基础。