Dr. Qingmei Guan

Professor,

College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University

3 Taicheng Rd.,

Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100

Email: qguan@nwsuaf.edu.cn

Education

l Ph.D in Plant Science from University of Maryland, USA. 2013

l M.S. in Pomology from Northwest A&F University. 2005

l B. S. in Pomology from Northwest A&F University. 2002

Professional Experience

l 2014-Present  Professor, College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China

l 2013-2014  Research Associate, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

l 2009-2013  Research Assistant, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

l 2005-2008  Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer, Department of Food and Biological Engineering, Bengbu College, Anhui, China.

Research Interests

1. Molecular mechanisms of plant responses to abiotic stress (extreme temperatures and drought stress)

Adverse effects caused by abiotic stresses including drought, salinity, cold and heat stress result in huge yield loss of crops worldwide. To survive in a fixed environment, plants have to adjust their metabolisms and developmental programs to adapt to environmental stress or acclimate to the transitory stress. The ultimate goal of this project is to understand the Molecular mechanisms of plant responses to abiotic stress. We are using genetic, biochemical, genomic, and physiological approaches to try to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of plant stress responses with Arabidopsis thaliana and apple trees as plant materials.

2. Molecular marker-assisted apple breeding at whole-genome level with stress- resistant traits.

Another focus of my research is on the area of plant breeding. Currently, we are investigating the genetics of abiotic stresses in apple trees, with emphasis on the use of molecular markers at whole-genome level. The goal of this project is to obtain new apple cultivars with abiotic stress-resistant traits.

Courses:

Plant Breeding, Molecular Biology of Horticulture plants

Selected Publications

1. Liu X, Zhao C, Gao Y, Wang S, Li C, Xie Y, Chen P, Wang X, Huang L, Ma F, Feng H*, Guan Q*. (2020) A multifaceted module of MdBES1-MdMYB88 in plant growth and stress tolerance. Plant Physiology. 185(4):1903-1923. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiaa116.

2. Zhang D, Yang K, Kan Z, Dang H, Feng S, Yang Y, Li L, Hou N, Xu L, Wang X, Malnoy M, Ma F, Hao Y*, Guan Q*. (2020) The regulatory module MdBT2–MdMYB88/MdMYB124–MdNRTs regulates nitrogen usage in Apple. Plant Physiology. 185(4):1924-1942. doi: 10.1093/plphys/kiaa118.

3. Chen P, Yan M, Li L, He J, Zhou S, Li Z, Niu C, Bao C, Zhi F, Ma F, Guan Q*. (2020) The apple DNA-binding one zinc-finger protein MdDof54 promotes drought resistance. Hortic Res. 7:195

4. Xie Y#, Bao C#, Chen P#, Cao F, Liu X, Geng D, Li Z, Li X, Hou N, Zhi F, Niu C, Zhou S, Zhan X, Ma F, Guan Q*. (2020) ABA homeostasis is mediated by a feedback regulation of MdMYB88 and MdMYB124. J Exp Bot. 72(2):592-607. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eraa449.

5. Li X#, Chen P#, Xie Y, Yan Y, Wang L, Dang H, Zhang J, Xu L, Ma F, Guan Q*. (2020) Hortic Res. Apple SERRATE negatively mediates drought resistance by regulating MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 and microRNA biogenesis. Hortic Res. 7:98.

6. Geng D#, Shen X#, Xie Y, Yang Y, Bian R, Gao Y, Li P, Sun L, Feng H, Ma F, Guan Q*. (2020) Regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis by MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 contributes to pathogen and drought resistance in apple. Hortic Res. 7:102.

7. Zhao C#, Liu X#, He J, Xie Y, Xu Y, Ma F, Guan Q*. (2020) Apple TIME FOR COFFEE contributes to freezing tolerance by promoting unsaturation of fatty acids. Plant Science. 302:110695. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2020.110695.

8. Geng D, Li L, Yang Y, Ma F, Guan Q*. (2020) Factors Affecting Hydraulic Conductivity and Methods to Measure in Plants. Journal of Integrative Agriculture. Accepted.

9. Niu C, Li H, Jiang L, Yan M, Li C, Geng D, Xie Y, Yan Y, Shen X, Chen P, Dong J, Ma F, Guan Q*. (2019). Genome-wide identification of drought-responsive microRNAs in two sets of  Malus  from interspecific hybrid progenies. Hort Res. 6:75.

10. Li X #, Xie Y #, Lu L, Yan M, Fang, N, Xu J, Wang L, Yan Y, Zhao T, van Nocker, S, Ma F, Liang D*, Guan Q*.  (2019). Contribution of methylation regulation of MpDREB2A promoter to drought resistance of  Mauls prunifolia . Plant and Soil, 441(1), 15.

11. Geng D, Lu L, Yan M, Shen X, Jiang L, Li H, Wang L, Yan Y, Xu J, Li C, Yu J, Ma F, Guan Q*. (2019). Physiological and transcriptomic analyses of roots from  Malus sieversii  under drought stress. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 18(6): 1280-1294.

12. Zhai R, Wang Z, Yang C, Lin-Wang K, Espley R, Liu J, Li X, Wu Z, Li P, Guan Q, Ma F, Xu L*. (2019). PbGA2ox8 induces vascular-related anthocyanin accumulation and contributes to red stripe formation on pear fruit. Hortic Res. 6:137.

13. Zhao XY, Qi CH, Jiang H, You CX, Guan QM, Ma FW, Li YY, Hao YJ. (2019). The MdWRKY31 transcription factor binds to the MdRAV1 promoter to mediate ABA sensitivity. Hortic Res. 6:66.

14. Guo T, Wang N, Xue Y, Guan Q, van Nocker S, Liu C, Ma F*. (2019). Overexpression of the RNA binding protein MhYTP1 in transgenic apple enhances drought tolerance and WUE by improving ABA level under drought condition. Plant Sci. 280:397-407.

15. Geng, D., Chen, P., Shen, X., Zhang, Y., Li, X., Jiang, L., Xie, Y., Niu, C., Zhang, J., Huang, X., Ma, F., Guan, Q*. (2018). MdMYB88 and MdMYB124 Enhance Drought Tolerance by Modulating Root Vessel and Cell Wall in Apple. Plant Physiology. 178(3):1296-1309.

16. Xie, Y., Chen, P., Yan, Y., Bao, C., Li, X., Wang, L., Shen, X., Li, H.; Liu, X., Niu, C., Zhu, C., Fang, N., Shao, Y., Zhao, T., Yu, J., Zhu, J., Xu, L., van Nocker, S., Ma, F., Guan, Q*. (2018). An Atypical R2R3 MYB Transcription Factor Increases Cold Hardiness by CBF-Dependent and CBF-Independent Pathways in Apple. New Phytologist. 218(1):201-218.

17. Xu, J., Zhou, S., Gong, X., Song, Y., van Nocker, S., Ma, F.*, Guan, Q*. (2018). Single-base methylome analysis reveals dynamic epigenomic differences associated with water deficit in apple. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 16(2):672-687.

18. Li, X. #, Kui, L. #, Zhang, J., Xie, Y., Wang, L., Yan, Y., Wang, N., Xu, J., Li, C., Wang, W., van Nocker, S., Dong, Y. *, Ma, F. *, and Guan, Q*. (2016). Improved hybrid de novo genome assembly of domesticated apple (Malus x domestica). Gigascience. 5(1):35.

19. Zhou, S. #, Li, M. #, Guan, Q., Liu, F., Zhang F., Chen, W., Yin, L., Qin, Y., and Ma, F*. (2015) Physiological and proteome analysis suggest critical roles for the photosynthetic system for high water-use efficiency under drought stress in  Malus . Plant Science. 236:44-60.

20. Zhan X*, Qian B, Cao F, Wu W, Yang L, Guan Q, Gu X, Wang P, Okusolubo TA, Dunn SL, Zhu JK, Zhu, J*. (2015). An Arabidopsis PWI and RRM motif-containing protein is critical for pre-mRNA splicing and ABA responses. Nature Communications. 6:8139.

21. Guan, Q., Yue, X., Zeng, H., and Zhu, J*. (2014). The protein phosphatase and its interacting partner NAC019 are required for heat stress-responsive gene regulation and thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell. 26(1):438-453.

22. Guan, Q., Wu, J., Yue, X., Zhang, Y., and Zhu, J*. (2013). A nuclear calcium-sensing pathway is critical for gene regulation and salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis. PLoS Genetics. 9(8): e1003755.

23. Guan, Q., Wu, J., Zhang, Y., Jiang, C., Liu, R., Chai, C., and Zhu, J*. (2013). A DEAD box RNA helicase is critical for pre-mRNA splicing, cold-responsive gene regulation, and cold tolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell. 25: 342-356.

24. Guan, Q., Lu, X., Zeng, H., Zhang, Y., and Zhu, J*. (2013). Heat stress induction of miR398 triggers a regulatory loop that is critical for thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant Journal. 74: 840-851.

25. Guan, Q., Wen, C., Zeng, H., and Zhu, J*. (2013). A KH domain-containing putative RNA-binding protein is critical for heat stress-responsive gene regulation and thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. Molecular Plant. 6: 386-395.

26. Li, W.#, Guan, Q.# (co-first author), Wang, Z.-Y., Wang, Y., and Zhu, J*. (2013). A bi-functional xyloglucan galactosyltransferase is an indispensable salt stress tolerance determinant in Arabidopsis. Molecular Plant. 6: 1344-1354.

27. Lu, X., Guan, Q., and Zhu, J*. (2013). Downregulation of CSD2 by a heat-inducible miR398 is required for thermotolerance in Arabidopsis. Plant Signaling & Behavior. 8(8). pii: e24952.

28. Jeong, S.I., Fukudome, A., Aksoy, E., Bang, W.Y., Kim, S., Guan, Q., Bahk, J.D., May, A.K., Russell, W.K., Zhu, J., Koiwa, H*. (2013). Regulation of Abiotic Stress Signaling by Arabidopsis C-terminal Domain Phosphatase-like 1 Requires Interaction with a K-homology Domain-containing Protein. PLoS ONE. 8(11): e80509.