The exchange program between MPG and CAS has led to extensive contacts and collaborations between the Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology in Potsdam-Golm (MPI-MP) and the Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (IPPE), SIBS. Successful collaboration on scientific projects of common interest has been beneficial both to Chinese scientists working in the field of molecular plant physiology, genetics, and signal transduction, and those at MPI-MP. As a further means to strengthen this network of relations, a partner group on “Plant Molecular Physiology and Signal Transduction” at the National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, lead by Prof. Hong-Wei Xue, was established on 1st, August, 2000 and closely linked to the research groups at MPI-MP. The partner group focuses on the studies of mechanisms of plant hormone, signal transduction and crop functional genomics. Middle-term evaluation meeting was held on January, 2003.

Each student in our lab can be well trained with molecular biology techniques, such as isolation and purification of mRNA and genomic DNA from eukaryotic cells, PCR, vector construction, and gene isolation via cDNA library screening and homologous cloning. Our lab also has established other molecular biology important systems, including Southern and Northern blotting analysis, in situ hybridization, quantitative RT-PCR, and fluorescent differential display PCR.

expression of recombinant proteins in E. coli, S. cerevisiae, and Baculovirus-infected insect (S. frugiperda) cells; SDS-PAGE, 2D-PAGE, and Western blotting; recombinant protein purification via polyhistidine-tag; physiological and biochemical analysis of recombinant proteins. Protein-DNA interaction analysis via yeast-based one-hybrid system, and protein-protein (subunit, peptide) interaction analysis via yeast-based two-hybrid system and co-immunoprecipitation.

High-efficiency plant tissue culture, protoplast culture and genetic transformation via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation; normative rice and Arabidopsis green house; GUS fusion studies of promoter regions; detection of protein expression using GFP as marker; microscope for DIC and fluorescence observation; We also have abundant mutant population and marker lines for detailed gene function studies.

Plant mutant generation via T-DNA tagged systems; cDNA macroarray preparation, hybridization and analysis; TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) platform for EMS mutant screening.

Webpage and rice insertion population database (SHIP) facilitate information and resource exchanging between different labs. And perfect file manage and back system through the server and intranet also has been established in our lab. Researchers can analyze and exchange their experimental results easily.