1. Introduction to the Research Team
Our team is dedicated to sustainable forest resource development and biotechnological innovation, focusing on four core areas: discovery of forest-derived bioactive molecules, genetic improvement of economic tree species, biocontrol of invasive species, and plant-microbe interaction mechanisms. By integrating advanced separation/analytical technologies and molecular breeding strategies, we elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying stress resistance, secondary metabolism, and other key traits in trees, enabling the development of stress-resistant and high-quality varieties. We isolate and engineer microbial strains for controlling invasive plants like Mikania micrantha, creating high-efficacy biocontrol agents. Leveraging microbiome analysis, we decode critical molecular targets in mycorrhizal symbiosis and pioneer mycorrhiza-enhanced cultivation techniques and functional microbial inoculants. Committed to "basic research-technology-industry" full-chain innovation, we advance high-value utilization of forest resources, ecological security, and green industry development through an interdisciplinary research framework.
2. Specific Research Directions
(1) Bioactive Molecule Discovery from Forest Resources:
Focus on developing natural lead compounds by integrating modern separation/analytical techniques and bioactivity-guided strategies to identify bioactive molecules from forest-derived natural products.
(2) Genetic Improvement of Economic Tree Species:
Investigate molecular regulatory networks of stress resistance, fast growth, and secondary metabolism traits. Leverage multi-omics and molecular breeding technologies to mine key genetic resources and develop stress-tolerant, high-value-added varieties for efficient forestry resource utilization.
(3) Plant-Microbe Interaction and Biocontrol Applications
Explore stress-resistance mechanisms of symbiotic microorganisms and decode key molecular targets in plant-microbe interactions. Screen functional microbial strains to control invasive species (e.g., Mikania micrantha), and develop microbial inoculants and mycorrhizal cultivation techniques to enhance ecological security and green industry development.
3. Research Projects
National Natural Science Foundation of China: Molecular Mechanism of MmWRKY51 Transcription Factor in Regulating Flower Bud Differentiation of Mikania micrantha.
Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects: Control Mechanisms of Alternaria Toxins Against the Invasive Plant Mikania micrantha
Youth Talents Special Project of Yunnan Province, Regulatory Mechanisms of Light Quality on Morphogenesis in Plateau Tree Species
Yunnan Fundamental Research Projects: Multi-Omics Analysis of Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Flower Color Formation in Rosa roxburghii and Its Seedless Varieties
4. Team Leader
Ning Zhao: Senior Lab Specialist (full professor Level), [email protected]
5. Team Members
Dan Zong: Associate professor, [email protected]
Meirong Ren: Lecturer, [email protected]
Xiaofei Feng: Lab technician, [email protected]
6. Selected Publications
[1] Ning Zhao; Sangzi Ze; Naiyong Liu; Lianrong Hu; Mei Ji; Qiao Li; Bin Yang. Exogenous phytohormone application and transcriptome analysis of Mikania micrantha provides insights for a potential control strategy. Genomics, 2021,113(1),964 –975.
[2] Zhao, Ning; Mao, Xiangzhong; Liu, Ning;Liu, Laiyong; Zhang, Zhixiao; Ze, Sangzi; Yang, Bin. Transcriptomic Characterization of Odorant Binding Proteins in Cacia cretifera thibetana and Their Association with Different Host Emitted Volatiles. Insects, 2021, 12, 787-803.
[3] Li Wen; Yang, Bin Liu, Naiyong; Zhu, Jiayin; Li Zongbo; Ze Sangzi.; Yu Jinde; Zhao Ning. Identification and Characterization of the Detoxification Genes Based on the Transcriptome of Tomicus yunnanensis. Diversity 2022, 14, 23-40.
[4] Chen Liang, Ling Liu, Zhixiao Zhang, Sangzi Ze , Mei Ji , Zongbo Li , Jinde Yu , Bin Yang，Ning Zhao*， Do Mixed Pinus yunnanensis Plantations Improve Soil’s Physicochemical Properties and Enzyme Activities? Diversity 2022,14, 214-230.
[5] Chen Liang，Ling Liu，Zhixiao Zhang，Sangzi Ze，Ling Pei，Lichen Feng，Mei Ji，Bin Yang，Ning Zhao*，Transcriptome analysis of critical genes related to flowering in Mikania micrantha at different altitudes provides insights for a potential control，BMC Genomics，2023，24:14-32.
[6] Ling Pei, Yanzhu Gao, Lichen Feng, Zihan Zhang, Naiyong Liu, Bin Yang , Ning Zhao*. Phenolic Acids and Flavonoids Play Important Roles in Flower Bud Differentiation in Mikania micrantha: Transcriptomics and Metabolomics. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023, 24, 16550.
[7] Ning Zhao, Kai Li, Huifen Ma , Lianrong Hu , Yingxue Yang ，Ling Liu, Molecular Characterization of Odorant-Binding Protein Genes Associated with Host-Seeking Behavior in Oides leucomelaena. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024, 25,9436.
[8] Feng Lichen, Lianrong Hu, Jingyi Bo, Mei Ji, Sangzi Ze, Yan’e Ding, Bin Yang, and Ning Zhao. 2024. "Identification and Biological Characteristics of Alternaria gossypina as a Promising Biocontrol Agent for the Control of Mikania micrantha" Journal of Fungi 10, 10: 691.
[9] Dan Zong, Huan Liu, Peihua Gan†, Shaojie Ma, Hongping Liang, Jinde Yu, Tao Jiang, Sunil Kumar Sahu, Qingqing Yang, Deguo Zhang, Laigeng Li, Wenwen Shao, Jinlong Yang, Yonghe Li, Xuanmin Guang, and Chengzhong He. Chromosomal-scale genomes of two Rosa species provideinsights into genome evolution and ascorbate accumulation. Plant Journal, 2024, 117(4): 1264-1280.
[10] Dan Zong, Yan Xu†, Xiaolin Zhang, Peihua Gan, Hongli Wang, Xiayi Chen, Hongping Liang, Jintao Zhou, Yu Lu, Peiling Li, Shaojie Ma, Jinde Yu, Tao Jiang, Shengxi Liao, Meirong Ren, Linzhou Li, Huan Liu, Sunil Kumar Sahu, Laigeng Li, Sibo Wang, and Chengzhong He. A multiomics investigation into the evolution and specialized metabolisms of three Toxicodendron cultivars. Plant Journal, 2024, 120(6): 2683-2699.
[11] Nan Li, Hailin Li, Zhihua Chen, Jiayu Feng, Tiansu Guo, Haiyang Guo, Xiaolin Zhang, Yi Yan, Chengzhong He and Dan Zong. Transcriptome and metabolome based mechanisms revealing the accumulation and transformation of sugars and fats in Pinus armandii seed kernels during the harvesting period. 2024, 72, 21533-21547.
[12] Dan Zong, Zhensheng Qiao, Jintao Zhou, Peiling Li, Peihua Gan, Meirong Ren, and Chengzhong He. Chloroplast genome sequence of triploid Toxicodendron vernicifluum and comparative analyses with other lacquer chloroplast genomes. BMC Genomics, 2023, 24: 56.
[13] Xiaolin Zhang, Jiayu Feng, Yiran Luo, Xiaomeng Duan, Chengzhong He and Dan Zong*. In vitro propagation of triploid Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F. A. Barkl. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant. 2024, 60, 783-791.
[14] Haiyang Guo, Tiansu Guo, Hailin Li, Shaojie Ma, Xiaolin Zhang, Chengzhong He, and Dan Zong. DNA methylation analysis of growth differences between upright and inverted cuttings of Populus yunnanensis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024, 25, 5096.
[15] Meirong Ren, Shuhua Jiang, Yanyan Wang, Xinhua Pan, Feng Pan, and Xinli Wei. Discovery and excavation of lichen bioactive natural products. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2023, 14: 1-16
[16] Xiaofei Feng, Rong Xu, Ning Zhao, Dongmei Wang, M.engren Cun, Bin Yang. Isolation, identification, and characterization of endophytic Bacillus from Walnut (Juglans sigillata) root and its biocontrol effects on walnut Anthracnose. Agriculture, 2022, 12, 2102.
