Research directions: (1) Taking monocotyledonous model plant rice and dicotyledonous model plant Arabidopsis as research objects, carry out research on the molecular mechanism of plant absorption and utilization of trace elements iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). (2) Through screening and identifying local varieties of rice and upland rice rich in mineral nutrition, and using traditional breeding methods to cultivate rice and upland rice varieties with high and stable yield and rich in mineral nutrition, and using gene editing to directly target the key factors that absorb mineral nutrition to improve the mineral nutrition content of the current main varieties of rice and upland rice.  

Group Leader: Prof. LIANG Gang 

Articles

1.Yang FX, Lu CQ, Wei YL, Wu JQ, Ren R, Gao J, Ahmad S, Jin JP, Xv YC, Liang G et al: Organ-Specific Gene Expression Reveals the Role of the Cymbidium ensifolium-miR396/Growth-Regulating Factors Module in Flower Development of the Orchid Plant Cymbidium ensifolium. Frontiers in Plant Science 2022, 12. 

2.Li Y, Lei RH, Pu MN, Cai YR, Lu CK, Li ZF, Liang G: bHLH11 inhibits bHLH IVc proteins by recruiting the TOPLESS/TOPLESS-RELATED corepressors. Plant Physiology 2022, 188(2):1335-1349. 

3.Li CY, Li Y, Xu P, Liang G: OsIRO3 negatively regulates Fe homeostasis by repressing the expression of OsIRO2. Plant Journal 2022, 111(4):966-978. 

4.Cai YR, Liang G: CITF1 Functions Downstream of SPL7 to Specifically Regulate Cu Uptake in Arabidopsis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2022, 23(13). 

5.Li Y, Lu CK, Li CY, Lei RH, Pu MN, Zhao JH, Peng F, Ping HQ, Wang D, Liang G: IRON MAN interacts with BRUTUS to maintain iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2021, 118(39). 

6.Chen WQ, Zhao LR, Liu L, Li X, Li Y, Liang G, Wang HP, Yu DQ: Iron deficiency-induced transcription factors bHLH38/100/101 negatively modulate flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Science 2021, 308. 

7.Cai YR, Li Y, Liang G: FIT and bHLH Ib transcription factors modulate iron and copper crosstalk in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell and Environment 2021, 44(5):1679-1691. 

8.Zhang HM, Li Y, Pu MN, Xu P, Liang G, Yu DQ: Oryza sativa POSITIVE REGULATOR OF IRON DEFICIENCY RESPONSE 2 (OsPRI2) and OsPRI3 are involved in the maintenance of Fe homeostasis. Plant Cell and Environment 2020, 43(1):261-274. 

9.Liang G, Zhang HM, Li Y, Pu MN, Yang YJ, Li CY, Lu CK, Xu P, Yu DQ: Oryza sativa FER-LIKE FE DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR (OsFIT/OsbHLH156) interacts with OsIRO2 to regulate iron homeostasis. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 2020, 62(5):668-689. 

10.Lei RH, Li Y, Cai YR, Li CY, Pu MN, Lu CK, Yang YJ, Liang G: bHLH121 Functions as a Direct Link that Facilitates the Activation of FIT by bHLH IVc Transcription Factors for Maintaining Fe Homeostasis in Arabidopsis. Molecular Plant 2020, 13(4):634-649. 

11.Yin J, Zhang XQ, Zhang GS, Wen YY, Liang G, Chen XL: Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid is a key regulator of guard mother cell terminal division in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Experimental Botany 2019, 70(3):897-907. 

12.Yang FX, Zhu GF, Wei YL, Gao J, Liang G, Peng LY, Lu CQ, Jin JP: Low-temperature-induced changes in the transcriptome reveal a major role of CgSVP genes in regulating flowering of Cymbidium goeringii. Bmc Genomics 2019, 20. 

13.Ji KL, Fan YY, Ge ZP, Sheng L, Xu YK, Gang LS, Li JY, Yue JM: Maximumins A-D, Rearranged Labdane-Type Diterpenoids with Four Different Carbon Skeletons from Amomum maximum. Journal of Organic Chemistry 2019, 84(1):282-288. 

14.Yao XN, Cai YR, Yu DQ, Liang G: bHLH104 confers tolerance to cadmium stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 2018, 60(8):691-702. 

15.Zhang HM, Li Y, Yao XN, Liang G, Yu DQ: POSITIVE REGULATOR OF IRON HOMEOSTASIS1, OsPRI1, Facilitates Iron Homeostasis. Plant Physiology 2017, 175(1):543-554. 

16.Wang C, Yao XN, Yu DQ, Liang G: Fe-deficiency-induced expression of bHLH104 enhances Fe-deficiency tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana. Planta 2017, 246(3):421-431. 

17.Lou DJ, Wang HP, Liang G, Yu DQ: OsSAPK2 Confers Abscisic Acid Sensitivity and Tolerance to Drought Stress in Rice. Frontiers in Plant Science 2017, 8. 

18.Liang G, Zhang HM, Li XL, Ai Q, Yu DQ: bHLH transcription factor bHLH115 regulates iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Experimental Botany 2017, 68(7):1743-1755. 

19.Li Y, Wang HP, Li XL, Liang G, Yu DQ: Two DELLA-interacting proteins bHLH48 and bHLH60 regulate flowering under long-day conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Experimental Botany 2017, 68(11):2757-2767. 

20.Liang G, Zhang HM, Lou DJ, Yu DQ: Selection of highly efficient sgRNAs for CRISPR/Cas9-based plant genome editing. Scientific Reports 2016, 6. 

21.Li XL, Zhang HM, Ai Q, Liang G, Yu DQ: Two bHLH Transcription Factors, bHLH34 and bHLH104, Regulate Iron Homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Physiology 2016, 170(4):2478-2493. 

22.Liang G, Ai Q, Yu DQ: Uncovering miRNAs involved in crosstalk between nutrient deficiencies in Arabidopsis. Scientific Reports 2015, 5. 

23.Liang G, He H, Li Y, Wang F, Yu DQ: Molecular Mechanism of microRNA396 Mediating Pistil Development in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology 2014, 164(1):249-258. 

24.Liang G, He H, Li Y, Ai Q, Yu DQ: MYB82 functions in regulation of trichome development in Arabidopsis. Journal of Experimental Botany 2014, 65(12):3215-3223. 

25.Jiang YJ, Liang G, Yang SZ, Yu DQ: Arabidopsis WRKY57 Functions as a Node of Convergence for Jasmonic Acid- and Auxin-Mediated Signaling in Jasmonic Acid-Induced Leaf Senescence. Plant Cell 2014, 26(1):230-245. 

26.He H, Liang G, Li Y, Wang F, Yu DQ: Two Young MicroRNAs Originating from Target Duplication Mediate Nitrogen Starvation Adaptation via Regulation of Glucosinolate Synthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Physiology 2014, 164(2):853-865. 

27.Liang G, Li Y, He H, Wang F, Yu DQ: Identification of miRNAs and miRNA-mediated regulatory pathways in Carica papaya. Planta 2013, 238(4):739-752. 

28.Liang G, He H, Yu DQ: Identification of Nitrogen Starvation-Responsive MicroRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plos One 2012, 7(11). 

29.Liang G, He H, Li Y, Yu DQ: A new strategy for construction of artificial miRNA vectors in Arabidopsis. Planta 2012, 235(6):1421-1429. 

30.Jiang YJ, Liang G, Yu DQ: Activated Expression of WRKY57 Confers Drought Tolerance in Arabidopsis. Molecular Plant 2012, 5(6):1375-1388. 

31.Liang G, Yang FX, Yu DQ: MicroRNA395 mediates regulation of sulfate accumulation and allocation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Journal 2010, 62(6):1046-1057. 

32.Yang FX, Liang G, Liu DM, Yu DQ: Arabidopsis MiR396 Mediates the Development of Leaves and Flowers in Transgenic Tobacco. Journal of Plant Biology 2009, 52(5):475-481.