Research Area

Forage-microbe association

Introduction

LI Xinran received her Bachelor's degree from Wuhan University in 2006 and earned her Ph.D. from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2013. From 2014 to 2022, she conducted postdoctoral research at the John Innes Centre and later at The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge.

Using alfalfa and forage oats as experimental materials, her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which plant-microbe symbiosis enhances nutrient use efficiency and stress tolerance, aiming to identify valuable gene resources and provide genetic and material support for developing high-quality forage germplasms. Her group's research encompasses:

1. Elucidating the molecular regulatory networks underlying the interactions among environmental factors, forage crops, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

2. Investigating the functions of rhizosphere microorganisms in forage development, nutrient utilization, and tolerance to environmental stresses.

3. Developing superior forage germplasms through molecular breeding approaches.