Developmental Biology of Strawberry and Germplasm Innovation
Team name
Developmental Biology of Strawberry and Germplasm Innovation
Principal Investigator
Research Objectives
Our team work on strawberry and raspberry, two typical Rosaceae species, and focus on two core questions in fruit crops production: fleshy fruit development and fungal pathogen diseases. Our study aims to: 1). Elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the fleshy fruit initiation and developmental diversity in different Rosaceae species, which was recently found to be regulated by crosstalk among phytohormone signaling（auxin, GA and BR），fruit “identity” genes (MADS-box)，and epigenetic factors; 2). Investigate the molecular interaction pattern between fungal pathogens (Botrytis cinerea and powdery mildew) and host target genes/gene products, develop new strategies against the fungal pathogens invasion; 3). Develop new genome editing tools (Prime editing, Gene activation and large fragment insertion) for gene functional study in strawberry and raspberry, and achieve germplasm improvement and de novo domestication of strawberry and raspberry.
Team members
l ZhiminMa , Ph.D from China Agricultural University, China. Molecular mechanism underlying fleshy fruit initiation in strawberry
l Lijing Ma, Ph.D from University of Bologna, Italy. Interaction between Botrytis cinerea and host genes in strawberry
l Yuekun Yang, Ph.D from Huazhong Agricultural University, China. Developmental mechanisms of fruit development in raspberry.
l Sun Yan, M.S. from Hebei Agricultural University, China. Administrative assistant.
l Sufang Li, M.S. from Central South University of Forestry and Technology, China. Development of a DNA‑free genome editing and protoplast regeneration method in strawberry.
l Feijian Sun, M.S. from University of Nottingham, UK. The function of the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) gene family in heat stress response in woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca).
l Meng Zhang, M.S. from Shenyang Agricultural University, China. Bioinformatics analysis.
l Xiaojie Lin , M.S. from Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University, China. Molecular mechanism underlying fruit stone development in Raspberry.
l Jihan Wang, M.S. from Shandong University of Technology, China. Molecular mechanism underlying fleshy fruit initiation in Strawberry.
l Xia Liang, M.S. from Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University. Propagation and routine management of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) EMS mutant library.
l Xianyan Han, Visiting Ph.D Student from Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China. Exploration and molecular mechanism of resistance genes to strawberry anthracnose.
l Caicun Zhu，M.S. from SiChuan Agricultural University, China. Molecular mechanisms underlying Botrytis cinerea-strawberry interaction.