Lilin Xu
Ithaca,NY
Summary
- Researching plant nutrient stress response mechanisms to improve crop biofortification and adaptability, and identifying genes and pathways regulating phytonutrient and micronutrient metabolism to enhance the nutritional value and health benefits of food crops.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Researcher
Cornell University-CALS & USDA-ARS
01.2024 - Current
- Project 1: β-Carotene signaling regulates flowering time in Arabidopsis -Supervisor: Prof. Li Li
- We identified β-carotene as a signaling molecule that promotes floral transition by activating SEP3 and SEP1 (key flowering time regulator), which in turn bind and activate the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) promoter. This defines a regulatory pathway linking carotenoid metabolism to flowering time.
- Project 2: B and L-2 synergistically regulate carotenoid accumulation in squash-Supervisor: Prof. Li Li & Michael Mazourek
- QTL-seq and fine mapping identified B and L-2 as ChlH and APRR2-4 in squash, respectively. Functional and biochemical analyses revealed that they synergistically activate PSY-A expression to promote carotenoid biosynthesis, uncovering the molecular basis of high carotenoid accumulation in squash fruit.
- Project 3: UMPKGr drives chlorophylls accumulation in cauliflower curd by enhancing chloroplast translation efficiency.-Supervisor: Prof. Li Li
- A glycine insertion at position 316 in BoUMPK enhances its stability and accumulation, which improves chloroplast RNA metabolism and translation efficiency, ultimately promoting chlorophyll biosynthesis in cauliflower curds.
- Project 4: L-2 promote chlorophylls accumulation by regulating Chlh gene in squash.-Supervisor: Prof. Li Li & Michael Mazourek
- L-2 promotes ChlH gene transcription by directly binding its promoter, thereby enhancing chlorophyll accumulation in squash fruit flesh.
Doctoral and Master's Researcher
09.2019 - 12.2023
- Project: The functional study on RLCKs in Arabidopsis-Supervisor: Prof. Shaojian Zheng
- We identified plasma membrane-localized receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) that recruit and activate IPK1/2 / PLCs via 14-3-3 protein phosphorylation, defining a lipid-dependent IP6 biosynthesis pathway in eukaryotes.
- Project: Gene identification for dwarf mutant in cucumber-Supervisor: Prof. Tao Wu
- We identified an EMS-induced mutagenesis dwarf cucumber mutant, Csdw, caused by a mutation in CsCLAVATA1, which likely regulates plant height by influencing shoot apical meristem development.
Education
Ph.D. - Plant Molecular Biology
Zhejiang University
China12.2023
M.Sc. - Vegetable Science
Northeast Agricultural University
China06.2019
B.Sc. - Horticulture
Jiangxi Agricultural University
China06.2016
Skills
- Molecular and Biochemical Techniques: Immunobloting, ICP-MS, Co-IP, DNA / RNA / Protein extraction, qRT-PCR, Pull-down, EMSA, Protein purification, Phosphorylation assay, CHX assay of protein stability
- Genetic Engineering: Construction of transgenic lines (Overexpression, CRISPR/Cas9, GUS-lines etc), EMS mutagenesis, SNP genotyping, QTL-mapping, Cucumber and Cauliflower transgenic through cotyledon infection, RNAi, VIGS, RNA / Ribosome-Seq, RNA-gel-blot
- Interaction Assay: Yeast One / Two / Three-hybrid, BiFC, Tobacco Split-LUC, Chip-qPCR, MST
- Cellular and Microscopy Techniques: Protoplast extraction, Paraffin section, Confocal microscopy, Subcellular localization
Accomplishments
1, Xu, L.L. et al (2024). A clade of receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases and 14-3-3 proteins coordinate inositol hexaphosphate accumulation. Nature Communications, 15, 5107. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49102-6 (sole first author).
2, Emalee, W, Xu, L.L. et al (2025). ORANGE family proteins: multifunctional chaperones shaping plant carotenoid level, plastid development, stress tolerance, and more. Molecular Horticulture, 1: 43 (co-author).
3, Xu, L.L. et al (2018). CLAVATA1-type receptor-like kinase CsCLAVATA1 is a putative candidate gene for dwarf mutation in cucumber[J]. Molecular Genetics and Genomics: 1-13. doi: 10.1007/s00438-018-1467-9 (sole first author).
4, Cao W, Xu, L.L. et al (2018). Csvl gene encodes chorismate synthase involving in the formation of leaf variegation in cucumber. Breeding Science 2018(8) (co-author).
5, Zhou X.S, Xu, L.L. et al. β-Carotene signaling regulates flowering time in Arabidopsis. Nature Plant, in submission (Co-first-author).
6, Xu, L.L. et al. B and L-2 synergistically regulate carotenoid accumulation in squash (Cucurbita pepo). Plant Cell, in submission (sole first author).
7, Xu, L.L. et al. UMPKGr drives chlorophylls accumulation in cauliflower curd by enhancing chloroplast translation efficiency. Plant Cell, in submission (Co-corresponding author).
8, Xu, L.L. et al, L-2 promote chlorophyll accumulation by regulating Chlh gene in squash. Plant physiology, in preparation (sole first author).
Honors and Awards
Excellent Ph.D. Thesis Award (2024), Excellent graduate honor (2023), Excellent Ph.D. scholarship (4 times), Chinese National scholarship (1 time).
Timeline
Postdoctoral Researcher
Cornell University-CALS & USDA-ARS
01.2024 - Current
Doctoral and Master's Researcher
09.2019 - 12.2023
M.Sc. - Vegetable Science
Northeast Agricultural University
B.Sc. - Horticulture
Jiangxi Agricultural University
Ph.D. - Plant Molecular Biology
Zhejiang University