Research | Dr. Yuanke Liang | Plant Molecular Biologist

Research Overview

My research focuses on plant-microbe interactions and stress resilience for agricultural biotechnology and sustainable farming.

When I'm not in the lab playing with DNA and proteins, I'm dreaming up ways to make crops stronger and happier. My research isn't just about fancy science papers – it's about creating real-world magic that helps plants thrive even when conditions get tough!

Research Experience

Scientist | MPI of Molecular Plant Physiology, Germany (2025 - Present)

Laboratory: Prof. Dr. Caroline Gutjahr

Investigating nutrient-responsive mechanisms in arbuscular mycorrhiza symbiosis with applications for developing sustainable biofertilizers and enhancing crop productivity in low-input agricultural systems.

For more information please visit our lab website

Postdoctoral Researcher | University of Geneva, Switzerland (2023 - 2025)

Laboratory: Prof. Dr. Roman Ulm

Explored UV-B perception and signaling in Marchantia polymorpha, with potential applications for enhancing crop UV tolerance and developing UV-protective agricultural technologies.

For more information please visit lab website

PhD Researcher | VIB-PSB-UGent, Belgium (2018 - 2023)

Laboratory: Prof. Dr. Lieven De Veylder

Identified key ERF transcription factors in plant regeneration, with applications for crop improvement, tissue culture efficiency, and developing resilient plant varieties for commercial agriculture.

For more information please visit lab website

Education Background

Master in Crop Genetics and Breeding

Rice Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, China (2016 - 2018)

Promoter: Prof. Dr. Jianqing Zhu

Thesis: Evaluation and animal feeding experiment of selenium-rich red rice nutrition.

Visiting Graduate

Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China (2017 - 2018)

Analyzed the function of rice tiller-regulating genes.

Bachelor in Plant Science and Technology

Faculty of Agronomy, Sichuan Agricultural University, China (2012 - 2016)

Promoter: Prof. Dr. Rongjun Chen

Thesis: Cloning and constructing the expression vector of the promoter of a stress response gene OsUF7 from rice.

Presentations and Conferences

4th National Symposium on Plant Photobiology (2024), Weifang, China – Oral presentation
5th UV4Plants Network Meeting (2024), Göttingen, Germany – Poster
7th UNIGE Postdoc Day (2024), Geneva, Switzerland – Best Poster Award
YRSPP Meeting (2024), Utrecht, Netherlands – Oral presentation and poster
PSB Symposium (2022), Ghent, Belgium – Oral presentation
1st European School of Metabolomics (2022), Marseille, France – Oral presentation