Laboratory
我們運用各種 DNA 分析來回答許多植物與微生物的有趣問題，涵蓋生理、生態、演化等等方面，特別著重在植微交互作用與農業可應用微生物方面。
We utilize DNA analyses to answer interesting questions in the fields of physiology, ecology, and evolution of plants, especially on plant-microbe interactions.
Research Aims
1. The changes of microbiome following soil amendment/disturbance
Plant health is closely related to soil microorganisms. These microbes usually play important roles to promote plant growth, including production of plant hormones, acquisition of mineral nutrients, and inhibition of pathogens. By using metagenomic approaches and statistical analyses, we are able to identify the microbial specialists in different habitats and to understand how plants regulate microbial dynamics in response to different environmental stresses. The information would be useful for the application of agricultural microorganisms.
Effect of sod culture
Effect of chitin application
Effect of fire
2. Dynamic of endophytic microbiome in roots
We also study plants in badlands. By using metagenomic approaches and statistical analyses, we are able to identify the microbial specialists in badlands and to understand how plants regulate endophytic dynamics in response to the abiotic stresses.
3. Evolution of plant rapid movement: Mimosa genomics
The plants can move are fascinating to biologists. They interact with the environments by specialized motor organs, although most plants are not able to freely move their body. Plant movements are classified into two types, the slow nyctinastic movement and the rapid seismonastic movement. The sensitive plant Mimosa pudica is a classic model as it possesses both types of plant movement. With reverse genetic approaches based on genome information, we are going to identify special ion channels involved in the electrical signaling mediating the rapid movement of M. pudica.