TEAMS
> Research Interests
> Major Ongoing Projects
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal nucleotide base modification on mRNA molecules in eukaryotes. m6A is catalyzed by RNA methyltransferases, and can be removed by RNA demethylases, thus is dynamically regulated. It has been found that m6A functions in mRNA processing, alternative splicing, secondary structure folding and cellular location determination, as well as translation, thereby participates in diverse biological processes. We are interested in understanding the functions of m6A during floral organ development, and the molecular evolutionary pattern of this prevalent modification across eukaryotes. Our preliminary studies have revealed interesting common as well as unique features of m6A in model eukaryotes.
Orchid (Orchidaceae) is one of the most species-enriched family of flowering plants, with over approximately 28,000 species recognized. The diversity in the color, shape, scent, and architecture of orchid flowers is highly impressed and has attracted evolutionary biologist and developmental biologist since Charles Darwin’s time. Phalaenopsis equestris is one of the most commonly used model plant for the understanding of flower development programs in orchids. We are interested in understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the development of labellum (lip) and pollinium, two of the many representative characters of orchid flowers, using different varieties of P. equestris plants as research systems. We are gaining interesting results in exploring the mechanisms of pollinium developmental programs, with the aid of functional genomics, genetics and molecular biology.
> Selected Publication (#, equal contribution;*, correspondence)
> Team Members
![]() | Principal Investigator (PI) |
Education Background
2003.09 - 2009.06, Department of Physics, Fudan University, Ph.D.
1999.09 - 2003.06, Department of Physics, Anhui University, Bachelor
Experience
2014.08 - : P.I., Associate Professor, Shanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences / Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden
2012.05 - 2014.07, Postdoctoral research at The College of Medicine, University of Iowa
> Research Assistants
![]() | Liu, Xiang | ![]() | Li, Chao |
![]() | Zhuang, Haiyan | ![]() | Wang, Ling |
> Graduate student
![]() | Li, Wenjia E-mail: liwenjia@sibs.ac.cn | ![]() | Zhang, Xia M.S. CandidateTel: 021-37792288*662 E-mail: zhangxia_9393@163.com |