Mr. Zhang Xiaoyu

Professor

Institute of Bast Fiber Crops,CAAS

Deputy Director, Southwest Industrial Hemp Research Center,

PI, Team of Germplasm Resources Collection and Utilization of Industrial Crops

zhangxiaoyuyyy@gmail.com

• +86 18711070880

Education Background:

· Ph.D., Crop Science, December, 2019                                        

Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University

Advisor: Dr. Liuling Yan, Dr. Mike Anderson,

· M.S., Soil and Crop Sciences, 2014                                            

Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Work Experience:

·    Professor, Genome Editing and Molecular Breeding, IBFC, 2024.01

·    Associate Professor, Genome Editing and Molecular Breeding, IBFC, 2022.01

·    Assistant Professor, Genome Editing and Molecular Breeding, IBFC, 2020.06

Research Experience:

Worked on gene function characterization for spike development and flowering time

· Developed isogenic lines from genome edited plant and reveal the genetic effect of genes on inflorescent number.

Worked on collection, preservation, identification, and sharing services of germplasm resources for the Cannabaceae family (Cannabis and hop)

· Studied QTL mapping, map-based gene cloning, and characterizing gene function in transcriptional and post-translational levels

· Studied the molecular mechanism of CONSTANS-like gene family enhancing flower development.

· Provided substantial insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating inflorescence development in Cannabis and hop.

Worked on establishment of genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted mutagenesis Cannabis and hop

· Established a stable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in cannabis and hop research.

· Reported the first successful generation of edited cannabis plants with disruptions in CsPDS1 and identified the first stable insertion of T-DNA in plant genome.

· Discovered that CsMIKC1 is the first gene discovered that can affect Cannabis yield, which is a landmark in Cannabis research.

· Used CRISPR technology to create mutants and explore genetic regulatory networks in Cannabis and hop.

Publications:

1. Xu G, Liu Y, Yu S, Kong D, Tang K, Sun J, Cheng C, Deng C, Dai Z, Chen X, Tang Q, Jia G, Li C, Su J, Zhang X. CsMIKC1 regulates inflorescence development and grain production in  Cannabis sativa plants. Horticulture Research. https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae161.

2. Zhang X, Jia H, Li T, Wu J, Nagarajan R, Lei L, Powers C, Kan C, Hua W, Liu Z, Chen C, Carver B, Yan L. TaCol-B5 modifies spike architecture and enhances grain yield in wheat.  Science. 2022, 376: 180–183.

3. Li, L, Yu, S, Chen, J, Cheng, C, Sun, J, Xu, Y, Deng, C, Dai, Z, Yang, Z, Chen, X, Tang, Q, Su, J, Zhang X*. Releasing the Full Potential of Cannabis through Biotechnology. Agronomy. 2022, 12(10), p.2439.

4. Zhang D, Zhang X, Xu W, Hu T, Ma J, Zhang Y, Hou J, Hao C, Zhang X, Li T. TaGW2L, a GW2-like RING finger E3 ligase, positively regulates heading date in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).  The Crop Journal. 2022.DOI: 10.1016/j.cj.2021.12.002.

5. Fan M, Zhang X, Nagarajan R, Zhai W, Rauf Y, Jia H, Ma Z, Yan L. Natural variants and editing events provide insights into routes for spike architecture modification in common wheat.  The Crop Journal. 2022.DOI: 10.1016/j.cj.2022.04.009.

6. Zhang X, Xu G, Cheng C, Lei L, Sun J, Xu Y, Deng C, Dai Z, Yang Z, Chen X, Liu C, Tang Q, Su J. Establishment of an Agrobacterium‐mediated genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated targeted mutagenesis in Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.).  Plant Biotechnology Journal. 2021, 19: 1979-1987.

7. Liu M, Lei L, Miao F, Powers C, Zhang X, Deng J, Tadege M, Carver B, Yan L. The STENOFOLIA gene from Medicago alters leaf width, flowering time and chlorophyll content in transgenic wheat.  Plant Biotechnology Journal. 2018, 16: 186-196.

8. Zhang X, Zhang X, Liu X, Chen S, Shao L, Sun H, Liu X. Optimized timing of using canopy temperature to select high-yielding cultivars of winter wheat under different water regimes.  Experimental Agriculture. 2018, 54(2): 257-272.

9. Wang Y, Zhang X, Liu X, Zhang X. Soil Water Regime Affecting Carbon Isotope Discrimination and its Correlation with Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Winter Wheat.  Crop Science. 2016, 56: 760-772.

10. Zhang X, Zhang X, Liu X, Shao L, Sun H, Chen S. Improving winter wheat performance by foliar spray of ABA and FA under drought.  Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. 2016, 35: 83-96.

11. Zhang X, Zhang X, Liu X, Shao L, Sun H, Chen S. Incorporating root distribution factor to evaluate soil water status for winter wheat.  Agricultural Water Management. 2015, 153: 32-41.

12. Zhang X, Zhang X. Anti-transpirant studies and applications in agriculture.  Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture. 2014, 22(8):938-944.

13. Wang Y, Zhang X, Liu X, Zhang X, Shao L, Sun H, Chen S. The effects of nitrogen supply and water regime on instantaneous WUE, time-integrated WUE and carbon isotope discrimination in winter wheat.  Field Crops Research. 2013, 144: 236-244.

Patent of Invention:

Zhang X, Liu Y, Cheng C, Su J, et al. Establishment of a Growth Regulator‐mediated genetic transformation in Cannabis. CHINA, 202311769311.X, 2023.12.21.