Impact
Dr. Jiang Danhua leads pioneering research in plant epigenetics, environmental adaptation, and crop functional genomics. His work deciphers the complex epigenetic mechanisms governing plant traits, while also exploring innovative strategies to bolster crop resilience to environmental stresses in the face of climate change. Additionally, he tackles the challenges of urban agriculture by breeding optimized vegetable varieties, contributing to sustainable agriculture and global food security.
Collaborations, Achievements & Honours
- Awarded the EMBO long-term fellowship for postdoctoral research at the Gregor Mendel Institute
- Established his research group at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in September 2018
- Joined Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) as a Principal Investigator in April 2024
Research Areas
Epigenetics, Plant environmental response and adaptation, Crop functional genomics and breeding
Question
What are the epigenetic mechanisms underlying complex plant traits and how can we leverage genetic and epigenetic regulation to improve crop performance in response to environmental stresses and the demands of modern agriculture?
Approach
Dr. Jiang adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating high-throughput omics, functional genomics, and biochemical techniques to explore epigenetic regulation in plants. His research group focuses on three main areas:
- Epigenetic regulation of plant traits Investigating how epigenetic modifications—such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA-mediated regulation—affect gene expression patterns and influence plant development and adaptation.
- Plant high-temperature response and adaptation Deciphering the molecular mechanisms that govern plant responses to elevated temperatures, identifying key genes and pathways involved in heat tolerance, and enhancing crop performance under warming climates.
- Functional genomics of vegetable crops and their breeding Studying the genetic and molecular regulation of traits crucial for urban farming, including plant architecture, growth rate, yield, and quality. This research aims to develop new vegetable varieties optimized for modern agriculture, promoting sustainable food production in urban settings.
Bio
Dr. Jiang Danhua earned his Master’s Degree from Shanghai University and PhD from the National University of Singapore. He received the prestigious EMBO long-term fellowship to conduct postdoctoral research at the Gregor Mendel Institute. In September 2018, he established his research group at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. In April 2024, he joined Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) as a Principal Investigator.
Principal Investigator
Jiang Danhua
The lab studies plant functional genomics and epigenetic regulation in plant trait determination, aiming to improve crop yield and resilience to enhance global food security.