Professor, Doctoral Supervisor
Educational Background:
1998 Ph.D., Fujian Agricultural University.
1995 Master’s degree, Fujian Agricultural University.
1992 Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Wuhan University.
Study Abroad Experience:
1999–2006 Postdoctoral Researcher, Indiana University, USA.
1996–1997 Visiting Scholar, John Innes Centre, UK.
Research Focus:
The interaction between plants and pathogens, primarily investigating the molecular mechanisms of plant immunity and its signal transduction pathways.
1. Molecular Mechanisms of Plant Immunity
Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, we employ genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry approaches to isolate and identify key components of plant immune signaling pathways, elucidating the molecular mechanisms of plant immunity. Through studies on Arabidopsis interactions with powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis) and Pseudomonas syringae, we have made significant progress in understanding plant immune mechanisms.
2. Resistance Mechanisms in Major Crop Diseases
Rice Blast Disease:
Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is one of the most devastating diseases in rice production. Although significant progress has been made in recent years, including the cloning of several rice blast resistance genes, the mechanisms underlying these genes remain poorly understood. Using genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, and biochemistry, we study the molecular interactions between rice and Magnaporthe oryzae, aiming to identify and clone genes regulating blast resistance as well as effector proteins in the pathogen.
Wheat Powdery Mildew and Rust Diseases:
Powdery mildew and rust are the most significant diseases affecting wheat production. Due to the complexity of the wheat genome, research on wheat diseases remains limited. Using the diploid wheat ancestor Triticum urartu and leveraging advances in wheat functional genomics, we aim to identify broad-spectrum and durable resistance genes against powdery mildew and rust, providing valuable genetic resources for wheat breeding.
Selected Publications:
1. Lu L, Fang J, Xia N, Zhang J, Diao Z, Wang X, Liu Y, Tang D*, Li S*. Phosphorylation of the transcription factor OsNAC29 by OsMAPK3 activates diterpenoid genes to promote rice immunity. Plant Cell. 2024 Dec 12:koae320. doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae320.
2. Liu N.#, Jiang X.#, Zhong G.#, Wang W., Hake K., Matschi S., Lederer S., Hoehenwarter W., Sun Q., Lee J.*, Romeis T.*, Tang D.* CAMTA3 repressor destabilization triggers TIR-domain protein TN2-mediated autoimmunity in the Arabidopsis exo70B1 mutant. Plant Cell. 2024 doi: 10.1093/plcell/koae036.
3. Wang, H., Zou, S., Li, Y., Lin，F., Tang, D.*. An ankyrin-repeat and WRKY-domain-containing immune receptor confers stripe rust resistance in wheat. Nature Communications 11, 1353 (2020). doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-15139-6.
4. Zhao Y., Wu G., Shi H., and Tang D.*. RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 902 Associates with and Phosphorylates BRASSINOSTEROID-SIGNALING KINASE1 to Regulate Plant Immunity. Molecular Plant. 2019. 12:59-70
5. Shen, Q., Bourdais, G., Pan, H., Robatzek, S., Tang, D*. The Arabidopsis glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein LLG1 associates with and modulates FLS2 to regulate innate immunity. PNAS. 2017, 114:5749-5754
Research Projects:
2016.01–2020.12: Plant Disease Resistance, National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars.
2015.01–2019.08: Mechanisms of Receptor Kinases in Controlling Important Traits, Major Basic Research Development Program Project.
2018.01–2020.12: Calcium-regulated signalling network meets atypical NLR immune receptor: Control of CPK5-dependent plant defence initiation and immune signal propagation through TN2 and EXO70B1, National Natural Science Foundation International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Program.
2019.01–2023.12: Molecular mechanisms of plant immunity regulated by a wheat NLR immune receptor, National Natural Science Foundation Key Project.
2022.01–2024.12: Molecular Mechanisms of Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinases Regulating MAPK Cascades and Transcription Factors in Plant Disease Resistance, National Natural Science Foundation International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Program.
2022.12–2027.11: Deciphering Immune Signaling Networks of Resistance and Susceptibility Genes in Major Food Crops, National Key Research and Development Program Project.
E-mail：dztang@fafu.edu.cn