Crop Genetics and Breeding Platform
Crop Genetics and Breeding Platform
Platform Leader
Research Foci
Trait Discovery (Gene Mapping, Cloning, and Functional Verification)
Rapid Trait Introgression
Generation of Elite Germplasm and New Varieties
Development of New Breeding Methods
Generation of New Traits through Gene Editing
Target Crops
Wheat, Corn (popcorn), Tomato, Watermelon, Melon, Cucumber, Winer Squash (Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata), Chinese Cabbage and Industry Peper
Supporting Facilities
Molecular Biology Laboratory, Genetic Transformation Laboratory, Plant Pathology Laboratory, Plant Growth Chamber, Intelligent Greenhouse, Plastic Greenhouse and Net House, Open-field Experimental Sites (Weifang, Shandong, and Sanya, Hainan)
Research and Development Model
Independent Research and Development, Open Collaboration (including contracted research projects), Training and Technical Support for other organization.
Team
Team Leader Members:
Dr. Yun Deng
Researcher
Contact Address: No. 699 Binhu Road, Fangzi District, Weifang, Shandong, China
Email: yun.deng@pku-iaas.edu.cn
Education
2017-2024, PhD major in Plant Pathology, Huazhong Agricultural College, China.
2002-2005, MS major in Vegetable Genetics and Breeding, Nanjing Agricultural University, China
1998-2002, BS major in Vegetable Science, Huazhong Agricultural College, China.
Working Experience
March 2020 - Present, Researcher, Research Associate, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China
July 2005- February 2020, Research Associate, Research Assistant, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
Research Interests
Genetics and Breeding in Cucurbit Crops
-Construction and utilization of EMS mutant library
-Construction of the reference genomes (T2T, Pangenome)
-Exploration, rapid introgression and pyramid of valuable genes
-Construction and utilization of rapid breeding system including haploid induction and speed breeding techniques
-Generation of enhanced germplasm and breeding of commercial varieties.
Selected Publications
Yilin Zhang†, Mingxia Zhao†, Jingsheng Tan†, Minghan Huang†, Xiao Chu , Yan Li, Xue Han, Taohong Fang, Yao Tian, Robert Jarret, Dongdong Lu, Yijun Chen, Lifang Xue, Xiaoni Li, Guochen Qin, Bosheng Li, Yudong Sun, Xing Wang Deng, Yun Deng*, Xingping Zhang* and Hang He*, Telomere-to-telomere Citrullus Super-pangenome Provides Direction for Watermelon Breeding, Nature Genetics 2024 Aug;56(8):1750-1761. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01823-6.
Yun Deng, Xin Liu, Shoucheng Liu, Xiaoni, Lifang, Tian Bai, Binghua Xu, Guoqing Li, Yudong Sun, Xingping Zhang. 2024. Fine mapping of ClLOX, a QTL for powdery mildew resistance in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.). Theor Appl Genet, 137(3):51. doi: 10.1007/s00122-023-04520-w.
Yun Deng, Shoucheng Liu, Yilin Zhang, Jingsheng Tan, Xiaopeng Li, Xiao Chu, Binghua Xu, Yao Tian, Yudong Sun, Bosheng Li, Yunbi Xu, Xing Wang Deng, Hang He, Xingping Zhang.2022. A telomere-to-telomere gap-free reference genome of watermelon and its mutation library provide important resources for gene discovery and breeding. Molecular Plant, 15, 1268-1284.
Guo S, Zhao S, Sun H, Wang X, Wu S, Lin T, Ren Y, Gao L, Deng Y, Zhang J, Lu X, Zhang H, Shang J, Gong G, Wen C, He N, Tian S, Li M, Liu J, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Jarret R, Levi A, Zhang X, Huang S, Fei Z, Liu W, Xu Y. 2019. Resequencing of 414 cultivated and wild watermelon accessions identifies selection for fruit quality traits. Nature Genetics, 2019, 51:1616-1623.
China Patents
Yun Deng, Xingping Zhang, XingWang Deng. A method for creating watermelon mutants by EMS mutagenesis, ZL202110010385.X, 2022
CHINA PVP
2023， “Lvguan 6” （China PVP No. CNA20191002914）
2023， “Zhongnonghuami” （China PVP No. CNA20191002918）
2023， “Zhongnong 11” （China PVP No. CNA20191002919）
2023， “Zhongnongcuiyu 9” （China PVP No. CNA20191002922）
2023， “Zhongnongmiguan” （China PVP No. CNA20191004267）
2023， “Zhongnongmiguan” （China PVP No. CNA20191004267）
2019， “Zaochuncuiyu” （China PVP No. CNA20150810.9）
Honorables and Awards
2023 Shen Nong Chinese Agricultural Science and Technology Second Prize
2018 Henan Province Science and Technology Progress Third prize
2015 Henan Province Science and Technology Progress Second Prize
2012 Henan Province Science and Technology Progress Second Prize
Research Achievements
Generation of the first T2T gap-free watermelon reference genome and an EMS mutant library induced by pollen mutagenesis.
Dr. Zhiguo Han
Researcher
Contact Address: No. 699 Binhu Road, Fangzi District, Weifang, Shandong, China
Email: zhiguo.han@pku-iaas.edu.cn
Education
2001-2006 PhD Major in Genetics, Nanjing Agricultural University, China
1997-2001 BS Major in Crops, Shanxi Agricultural University, China
Working Experience
July 2020 - Present, Researcher, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Institute, China
February 2020 - June 2020, Manager, Huazhi Biotechnology Co., Ltd., China
April 2016 - January 2020, Vice Manager, Wuhan Life Science and Technology Center, China National Seed Group Co., Ltd., China
July 2010 - March 2016, Associated Researcher, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
July 2008 - June 2010, Postdoc researcher, PGEC, University of California, Berkeley, USA
September 2006 - July 2008, Postdoc researcher, the University of Texas at Austin, USA
Research Interests
l Plant biotechnology
l Genetic improvement of crops
l Safety assessment of bioengineering crops
Selected publication
Pan, Wenbo#, Zhentao Cheng#, Zhiguo Han, Hong Yang, Wanggen Zhang*, Huawei Zhang*. 2022. Efficient transformation and genome editing of watermelon assisted by genes that encode developmental regulators. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B (Biomedicine & Biotechnology) 23:339-344.
Li, Ruyu*#, Zhiguo Han#, Qian Yin, Meiru Li, Mingyong Zhang, Zhenzhen Li, Ping Wang, Li Jiang, David W. Ow*. 2022. Target lines for in planta gene stacking in Japonica rice. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23: 9385-9399.
Jiang, Li, Ruyu Li*, Zhiguo Han, Xiaohui Zhao, Dong Cao, David W. Ow*. 2022. Target lines for recombinase mediated gene stacking in soybean. Theoretical Applied Genetics 135: 1163-1175.
Li, Yamei#, Ruyu Li#*, Zhiguo Han, Haitang Wang, Sixian Zhou, Yongqing Li, Yumei Wang, Junsheng Li, David W. Ow*. 2022. Recombinase-mediated gene stacking in cotton. Plant Physiology 188:1852-1865.
China patents
Han, Zhiguo, Weiping Wang, Haiwen Zhang, Jiaoming Song, Wenbo Pan, Huawei Zhang, Wanggen Zhang. Method and application of fused genes and genetic transformation in watermelon, ZL202110897621.4, 2023-5-30, CN113528559B, China.
Han, Yu, Zhiguo Han, Qiao Yang, Dan Zuo, Wei Huang, Jicui An, Peixiuzi Tian, Yazhou Yang, Junqing Zhou, Xiaoyi Zhu, Rongjian Ye, Wanggen Zhang. Transgenic event and method of development of maize with herbicide resistance, ZL201911111428.2, 2022-09-06, CN112795571B, China.
Ow, David, Zhiguo Han. Application of a kind of constructs available for gene stacking. ZL201510032720.0, 2017-7-17, CN104673824B, China.
Dr. Xianwen Zhu
Research Associate
Contact Address: No. 699 Binhu Road, Fangzi District, Weifang, Shandong, China
Email: xianwen.zhu@pku-iaas.edu.cn
Education
2010-2015, PhD major in Plant Science, North Dakota State University, USA
2003-2006, MS major in Vegetable Genetics and Breeding, Nanjing Agricultural University, China
1996-2000, BS major in Agronomy, Anhui Science and Technology University, China
Working Experience
August 2020-Present, Research Associate, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China
October 2017-July 2020, Department Manager, Jiangsu Hope Analytech Inc., China
January 2016-March 2017, Agronomist, Northern Plains Ag Research, Inc., USA;
April 2006-February 2010, Visiting Scientist, North Dakota State University, USA
July 2000-May 2002, Technician, Anhui Green Rain Agriculture Co. Ltd, China
Research Interests
Breeding and genetics in Wheat and Popcorn
l Exploration, introgression and pyramid of valuable genes
l Generation of new germplasm and development of elite lines
l Construction and utilization of rapid breeding system including haploid induction and chromosome doubling techniques
Publications
Xianwen Zhu, Yingxiong Hu, Hongjian Zheng, Xingping Zhang, Yunbi Xu. Molecular breeding in specialty maize: progress and prospects (in Chinese). Acta Agriculturae Shanghai, 2023, 39(5):1-12
Xianwen Zhu, YunBi Xu, Jian Li, Xingpin Zhang. Establishment of heterotic groups for hybrid wheat breeding (in Chinese). Chin Sci Bull, 2022, 67(26): 3152-3164. doi: 10.1360/TB-2022-0392
Xianwen Zhu, Jeffrey D. Boehm Jr., Shaobin Zhong, Xiwen Cai. Genomic compatibility and inheritance of hexaploid-derived Fusarium head blight resistance genes in durum wheat. Plant Genome. 2022, e20183. doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.20183
Xianwen Zhu, Shaobin Zhong, Shiaoman Chao, Yong Qiang Gu, Shahryar F. Kianian, Elias Elias, Xiwen Cai. 2015. Toward a better understanding of the chromosomal region harboring Fusarium head blight resistance QTL Qfhs.ndsu-3AS in durum wheat. Theor Appl Genet 129 (1), 31-43. doi: 10.1007/s00122-015-2606-x
Xianwen Zhu, Shaobin Zhong, Xiwen Cai. 2016. Effects of D-genome chromosomes and their A/B-genome homoeologs on Fusarium head blight resistance in durum wheat. Crop Science, 56(3): 1049-1058. doi:10.2135/cropsci2015.09.0535
Rachel I. McArthur, Xianwen Zhu, Rebekah E. Oliver, Daryl L. Klindworth, Steven S. Xu, Robert W. Stack, Richard R.-C. Wang, Xiwen Cai. Homoeology of Thinopyrum junceum and Elymus rectisetus chromosomes to wheat and disease resistance conferred by the Thinopyrum and Elymus chromosomes in wheat. Chromosome Res, 2012, 20:699–715.
Xiwen Cai, Steven S. Xu, Xianwen Zhu. Mechanism of haploidy-dependent unreductional meiotic cell division in poly wheat. Chromosomal, 2010,119:275-285.
Dr. Mingxia Zhao
Research Associate
Contact Address: No. 699 Binhu Road, Fangzi District, Weifang, Shandong, China
Email: mingxia.zhao@pku-iaas.edu.cn
Education
2012-2017, PhD major in Plant Pathology, North Dakota State University, USA
2008-2011, MS in Genetics, Qingdao Agricultural University, China
2004-2008, BS in Bioscience, Qingdao Agricultural University, China
Working Experience
July 2022 - Present, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, China
January 2019 - June 2022, Postdoctoral Fellow at Kansas State University, USA
January 2018 - December 2018, Research scientist, North Dakota State University, USA
Research Interests
·Mapping of functional genes for important traits of watermelon
·Gene cloning and functional validation.
·Searching for disease resistance genes in watermelon.
Publications
Zhao M, Peng Z, Qin Y, T M Tamang, Zhang L, Tian B, Chen Y, Liu Y, Zhang J, Lin G, Zheng H, He C, Lv K, Klaus A, Marcon C, Hochholdinger F, Trick H, Liu Y, Cho M, Park S, Wei H, Zheng J, White F, Liu S. Bacterium-enabled transient gene activation by artificial transcription factors for resolving gene regulation in maize, The Plant Cell. 2023 Aug;35(8), 2736-2749.
Zhao M, Wang G, Leng Y, Wanjugi H, Xi P, Grosz MD, Mergoum M, Zhong S. Molecular mapping of Fusarium head blight resistance in the spring wheat line ND2710. Phytopathology. 2018 Aug;108(8):972-9.
Zhao M, Leng Y, Chao S, Xu SS, Zhong S. Molecular mapping of QTL for Fusarium head blight resistance introgressed into durum wheat. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 2018 Sep;131(9):1939-51.
Zhao MX, Sun HY, Ji RR, Hu XH, Sui JM, Qiao LX, Chen J, Wang JS. In vitro mutagenesis and directed screening for salt-tolerant mutants in peanut. Euphytica. 2013 Sep;193(1):89-99.
Zhao M, Qiao LX, Sui JM, Tan L, Wang J. An efficient regeneration system for peanut: Somatic embryogenesis from embryonic leaflets. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. 2012 Apr;10(2):527-31.
Other team members:
Lugang Zhang (lead Chinese cabbage breeder), Yongchun Wang (molecular pathology), Xiaoni Li (pathology), Zhiqiang Meng (genome editing), Jingsheng Tan (molecular biology), Taohong Fang (molecular biology), Jing Sun (cell biology), Lifang Xue (marker development), Fanhui Kong (tomato breeding), Xiao Chu (watermelon breeding), Yao Tian (melon breeding), Juan Li (winter squash breeding), Xiaoyuan Yang (popcorn breeding), Zhanchao Li (wheat breeding), Shengnan Zhang (wheat breeding), Xiaochen Qiu (Chinese cabbage breeding), Li Gong (cucumber breeding), Kanglong Liu (tomato breeding), Zhiwei Liu (popcorn breeding), Mengyu Wang (watermelon breeding), Xinran Wang (melon breeding), Mengxue Lu (administrative support).
Visiting Scholars: Xin Liu, Ziwei Hu, Lixia Wang,Xinyang Xu
Visiting Students: Guan Wang, Shiqi Gong, Tian Bai
Former Members: Xueqiang Wang, Liang Wang, Zhaojin Zhu, Junqing Li, Zengmin Yue