Zingeria biebersteiniana, a grass species with the lowest known chromosome number among angiosperms (n=2), represents a unique system for cytogenetic and genome evolution research. We have established the first reproducible Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation protocol for this species, enabling stable plant regeneration and transgene expression using an optimized tissue culture system. This breakthrough expands the utility of Z. biebersteiniana as a model for functional genomics, molecular biology, and grass research.

The method was published on December 8, 2025. Ryan Koeth, a graduate student in the ASU Plant Biology and Conservation MS program, is the first author of this work. Other contributors are Dr. Shahzad Shah and undergraduate lab researcher Calvin Juel-Rigney. The paper can be accessed here.  

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom (https://www.harvestingwisdompodcast.com/), host Mike McMahon welcomes Dr. Changbin Chen, a plant scientist at Arizona State University, discusses how modern plant science and breeding can address agriculture’s most pressing challenges under climate stress. Drawing on his expertise in plant genetics, breeding, and soil science, Dr. Chen explains how understanding plant genomes enables the development of crops that perform well in extreme environments—such as regions with short growing seasons, poor soils, limited water, and high temperatures.

The conversation highlights strategies for improving crops like tomatoes, grapes, hemp, and melons by selecting and breeding traits related to heat tolerance, stress resilience, and efficient resource use. Dr. Chen emphasizes the importance of genetic diversity in seeds as a foundation for future crop improvement and food security. The episode also explores how public–private partnerships in agricultural research, along with locally adapted breeding programs, are essential for sustaining food production in places like Arizona as climate change intensifies.

The podcast was released on Aug 5, 2025 and received over 25,000 views within its first month.  Here is the link to the podcast. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEjWNZk8Auw) .

Dr. Chen attended the 2025 Penn State Special Plant Science Symposium, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in State College, Pennsylvania from Aug. 2 to Aug. 3, 2025. The symposium convened a distinguished group of speakers presenting on a wide range of topics in plant science, including plant evolution, genetics, developmental biology, and strategies for crop improvement in the context of environmental change. In addition to core scientific presentations, the program featured sessions led by experts in scientific editing, publication practices, and securing research funding.

The symposium was organized in honor of Dr. Hong Ma’s 65th birthday, celebrating his distinguished contributions to plant biology research and his enduring legacy in mentorship and academic leadership.

Early today, Amy Sawyer, a graduate student in the Plant Biology and Conservation MS program, successfully defended her thesis. Amy earned her bachelor’s degree in Horticultural Science from Utah State University and worked in the horticulture retail industry for several years before joining ASU to pursue her master’s degree. Her research included indoor farming and potential space-farming trials at Biosphere 2 using the lab’s recently developed tomato varieties, 'Ground Jewel', 'Ground Dew', and 'Desert Dew', as well as field evaluations of thin-skinned Asian melon varieties. Amy will continue her graduate training as a PhD student at Kansas State University, where she will focus on cover crop research.

Left: Amy Sawyer presenting her thesis during her defense.

The ASU News Instagram channel featured Chen Lab research focused on agriculture in extreme environments and in the face of climate change. A series of photographs is available here.  Photographed by Samantha Chow.

Dr. Changbin Chen attended the 2025 EMBO Workshop, “Meiosis: Exploring Diversity to Discover the Fundamentals,” held June 22–26 in Engelberg, Switzerland. The international meeting brought together scientists from around the world to discuss diverse aspects of meiosis—including homolog pairing, recombination, DNA double-strand break repair, and chromosome segregation—across a wide range of organisms and evolutionary contexts. The workshop provided valuable opportunities for scientific exchange, networking, and the development of new ideas and collaborations in meiosis and chromosome biology.

Left: Dr. Denise Zickler, a leading expert in meiosis research, presenting her recent work at the 2025 EMBO Workshop in Engelberg, Switzerland.

Dr. Chen was featured in ASU News for developing a new tomato variety, 'Desert Dew', which is well suited to short growing seasons and challenging environmental conditions. The full article is available  here.  A related story will be published in Farm Show Magazine (Vol. 49, Issue 6, 2025) and will be accessible here. Farm Show Magazine reaches more than 120,000 readers. . 

Left: Changbin Chen (right) stands in front of trials of the "Desert Dew" tomato conducted at Biosphere 2. With him is Kai Staats, research director for the Space and Mars Program at BioSphere 2.

The lab released a new tomato variety, 'Desert Dew'. ‘Desert Dew’ is a new dwarf tomato variety developed from a cross between ‘Zac-Heart’ and ‘Micro-Tom’ and selected from the same breeding pool as ‘Ground Jewel’ and ‘Ground Dew.’ ( Link). Formerly known as MTX851, it combines a compact, determinate growth habit, short life cycle, and high fruit yield with strong field performance across multiple locations. The red, plum-shaped fruits have a pointed tip and an elevated vitamin C content of 34.6 mg per 100 g of fresh weight—nearly double the U.S. average for red tomatoes—making ‘Desert Dew’ a promising, water-efficient option for sustainable tomato production. The release paper was published on HortScience on March 28, 2025.