Developmental Biology

Developmental Biology is a secondary doctoral discipline under the primary discipline of Biology, comprising the Plant Development Teaching and Research Section and the Animal Development Teaching and Research Section. The discipline includes a Biology Postdoctoral Research Station and the Institute of Flower Bioengineering. The team consists of 4 professors, seven associate professors, two lecturers, and three research staff, all of whom hold doctoral degrees. Team members have presided over 50 major research projects, including Key Projects and General Program projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National High-Tech R&D Program (“863 Program”), and the "948 Program". The discipline has secured research funding in the past five years, totaling tens of millions of RMB. More than 200 research papers, including 40 SCI-indexed articles and 22 authored or co-authored monographs, have been published. Achievements include four patents, 10 new variety registrations, and 13 national, provincial, and ministerial awards.

The discipline’s primary research directions include: plant flower organ developmental biology; plant reproductive biology; anthocyanin biosynthesis and light signal transduction; innovation and utilization of plant stress-resistant germplasm resources; establishment of plant bioreactors for medicinal proteins; bioinformatics; mammalian gamete preservation and utilization; transgenic animals as bioreactors; proliferation and differentiation of mammalian pancreatic stem cells; molecular mechanisms of muscle development; molecular mechanisms of mammalian embryo implantation; and molecular mechanisms of somatic cell-induced reprogramming. The disciplinary team primarily undertakes teaching responsibilities for undergraduate and graduate courses, including Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Immunology, Modern Molecular Biology Experiments, and Introduction to Biophysics. Molecular Biology and Advanced Experiments in Modern Molecular Biology are recognized as university-level elite courses, with the Molecular Biology course being awarded the Heilongjiang Provincial Elite Course designation in 2009. The discipline leader is Professor Xu Zhichao.

Cell Biology Discipline

I. Relevant Research in Animal Research Direction of Cell Biology Discipline

Team Members: Teng Chunbo, Sui Guangchao, Wang Yang, Wang Chunsheng, Shi Jinming, Liang Yang, Zheng Jian, Nie Yuzhe, and Li Dangdang.

(1) Research and Application of Forest-derived Bioactive Substances

China, particularly its vast forested Northeastern region, boasts abundant plant diversity. Many of these plants synthesize rich bioactive compounds, constituting critical medicinal plant resources and forming the foundation of China’s pharmaceutical development. Therefore, exploring and researching forest-derived bioactive components will enable more scientific and effective utilization of these extensive reserves. Our team employs advanced biochemical, molecular biological, cellular biological, and omics approaches to investigate the therapeutic applications of forest-derived bioactive substances in diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Key research focuses include the following:

1) Pharmacological Mechanism Research

Utilizing omics methodologies, we systematically analyze the targeted biological processes of bioactive substances within cells, elucidating their molecular mechanisms in inhibiting pathological progression and preventing diseases. This establishes a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of forest-derived bioactive substances.

2) Molecular Target Research

Through molecular fishing technology, we enrich and identify intracellular biomacromolecules that interact with bioactive substances. By resolving the molecular mechanisms of binding and associated biological functions between these substances and their targets, we provide fundamental data for the innovation and modification of pharmaceutical molecules.

3) Combination Drug Administration Research

Many forest-derived bioactive substances can selectively inhibit pathological cells while protecting normal cells, whereas existing clinical drugs often exhibit toxic side effects on the body. Therefore, combining forest-derived bioactive substances with clinical drugs achieves disease-inhibiting efficacy while reducing adverse effects on patients. We will integrate cell- and animal model-based approaches with omics methodologies to dissect the synergistic effects of combination drug administration and the pharmacodynamic mechanisms underlying disease-inhibiting activity.

4) Drug Delivery Research

Precise drug delivery is critically significant for disease treatment. Forest-derived bioactive substances can be developed into natural biomedical materials to assist drug delivery and control drug release, particularly in applications involving precision-controlled release of anticancer drugs, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and targeting effects.

(2) Fundamental Research on the Molecular and Cellular Basis of Human Diseases Including Cancer and Diabetes

Aberrant gene expression and protein activity dysregulation within cells constitute the primary causative factors underlying various human diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Deciphering the biological processes governing gene expression and protein functionality and elucidating the molecular mechanisms driving disease onset and progression hold significant implications for preventing and treating human diseases. The Cell Biology discipline's fundamental research on human diseases encompasses the following aspects:

1) Regulatory Mechanisms of Tissue Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

Using pancreatic and muscular systems as primary models, we investigate the regulatory mechanisms governing the proliferation and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells, conduct fundamental research on progenitor cell-based therapies for diabetes and muscular dystrophy, and explore the molecular mechanisms through which forest-derived bioactive substances and trace metal elements influence stem/progenitor cells and tumor cells.

2) Regulatory Mechanisms of Gene Expression in Cancer Cells

Employing breast cancer and liver cancer as experimental models, we study epigenetic molecular mechanisms that regulate the expression of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Key molecular regulatory mechanisms under investigation include: histone modifications, non-coding RNA functions, G-quadruplex formation, mRNA stability and precursor splicing, enhancer formation, phase separation of transcriptional regulatory proteins, etc.

II. Plant-Oriented Research in Cell Biology Discipline

Team Members:Zhan Yaguang, Zeng Fansuo, Niu Ben, Yin Jing, You Xiangling, Fan Guizhi, Qi Fenghui

The plant research focus of the Cell Biology discipline encompasses three primary areas:

(1) Centered on the overarching objectives of genetic improvement and cell engineering utilization, we conduct applied basic research, extending into both fundamental and applied research domains, using forest plants from China’s Northeastern region as primary study subjects.

(2)Targeting frontier scientific challenges and critical technologies, we systematically explore forest plant gene resources related to stress resistance, fast growth, cell wall development, wood quality, secondary metabolism, and ornamental traits. This includes investigating key trait formation's molecular basis and regulatory mechanisms, coupled with conventional and molecular breeding strategies to develop elite cultivars and novel plant varieties.

(3) Leveraging bioengineering technologies such as cell engineering and metabolic engineering, we mine valuable medicinal bioactive compounds (e.g., terpenoids, phenolics, and saponins) from forest plants, their symbiotic microbes, and other beneficial arboreal microorganisms. We follow this with high-efficiency synthesis, development, and utilization of these components.

Key research focuses include the following:

1. Multi-purpose Elite Cultivar Breeding, Propagation Technology Innovation, and Molecular Mechanism Research on Key Trait Formation in Precious Northeast Broadleaf Tree Species

We intensively explore gene resources related to stress resistance, fast growth, cell wall development, wood quality, and ornamental traits in the precious Northeast broadleaf tree species. Integrated with conventional breeding, we develop novel cultivars such as Fraxinus mandshurica (Manchurian ash), with particular emphasis on resolving bottleneck challenges in propagation through technological integration, innovation, and supporting mechanism studies. Specific research components include:

(1) Intraspecific and interspecific F1 hybridization to aggregate superior traits (fast growth, stress resistance, high quality, pest/disease resistance) for multi-purpose elite cultivar development. Concurrently, we employ mutagenesis and ploidy breeding combined with gene editing technologies for molecular breeding, accelerating germplasm innovation and shortening breeding/utilization cycles.

(2) We conduct integrated technological innovation in vegetative propagation and rejuvenation mechanism studies to address clonal propagation bottlenecks like age-related effects in Northeast broadleaf trees. This establishes scaled production systems for elite propagation materials to enhance the utilization rate of clonal elite cultivars and advance the elite cultivar development process.

(3) Investigating the molecular mechanisms and regulatory technologies that underlie critical trait formation (e.g., wood development, juvenile-to-mature phase transition) provides theoretical foundations and technical support for forest tree improvement and utilization. This enhances molecular-level research capabilities while accelerating advancements in elite cultivar breeding and propagation.

2. Synthesis Regulation and High-efficiency Utilization of Forest-derived Bioactive Substances

Using key forest and understory medicinal plants—including Betula platyphylla (white birch), Eleutherococcus senticosus, Panax notoginseng, Cannabis sativa (industrial hemp), and Apocynum venetum—we investigate the regulation of high-efficiency synthesis and the molecular regulatory mechanisms of anti-tumor bioactive components, such as terpenoids, phenolics, and saponins. Key research components include:

(1) Mining and identifying critical functional genes in the biosynthetic pathways of triterpenes, saponins, cannabidiol, and apocynin flavonoids. We use gene editing and pathway engineering technologies to genetically enhance medicinal plants and develop novel germplasm, providing innovative approaches and materials for efficiently utilizing forest-derived bioactive substances.

(2) Regulating high-efficiency biosynthesis of bioactive substances using plant tissues and cells while deciphering regulatory mechanisms involving environmental factors, nutrient components, and signaling molecules. Transcriptomic and metabolomic technologies are applied to resolve the regulatory networks of terpenoid and phenolic metabolism. Synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies are leveraged to synthesize bioactive compounds and their precursors, enhancing utilization efficiency.

(3) Isolating and characterizing endophytic fungi from stress-resistant forest trees and medicinal plants to explore their biological functions and medicinal value. To investigate their pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications, we conduct large-scale fermentation and cultivation of macro-medicinal fungi such as Sanghuangporus sanghuang and Inonotus obliquus (Chaga).

3. Regulatory Mechanisms of Saponin Biosynthesis in Selected Araliaceae Plants and Bioreactor-based Large-scale Production Research

Araliaceae plants, including Panax notoginseng, Aralia elata, and Eleutherococcus senticosus, are critical traditional Chinese medicinal resources, with their primary bioactive constituents being pentacyclic triterpenoids. Investigating the saponin biosynthesis regulatory mechanisms in these three Araliaceae species and developing bioreactor-based large-scale production technologies will establish a theoretical foundation for the industrial biosynthesis of saponins from Araliaceae plants. This research also offers novel technical alternatives for producing pharmaceutically and nutraceutically active compounds such as ginsenosides.

4. Mining and Utilization of Beneficial Microbial Resources in Forest Trees

We conduct a systematic collection of disease-suppressive and growth-promoting microbial resources from ecologically and economically valuable forest trees, including Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood), Xanthoceras sorbifolium, Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica (Mongolian pine), and Ricinus communis (castor bean). This research investigates the assembly mechanisms of symbiotic microbiomes and elucidates their molecular basis for enhancing growth, suppressing diseases, and conferring stress resistance. Concurrently, targeting devastating forest diseases such as pine wilt disease, we isolate and screen microbial strains with biocontrol potential, characterize their disease-suppression mechanisms, and develop high-efficiency microbial biocontrol agents for forest protection.

Microbiology Discipline

Team Members: Zhao Min, Feng Fujuan, Yang Hongyi, Liu Chengwei, Zhang Jie, Liu Changli, Wang Chunlei, Lu Lei, Wang Hongwei, Yang Hongyan, Wang Pengchao, Li Xiaoyan, Cui Daizong

1. Creation of Critical Enzymes and Construction of Universal High-Efficiency Expression Systems

To address the demand for efficient and large-scale production of high-value compounds—including industrially significant chemicals, novel compounds with application potential, and complex molecules—in agriculture/forestry, environmental protection, fine chemical engineering, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, we integrate interdisciplinary approaches spanning biology, physics, chemistry, informatics, and mathematics. Leveraging computational biology, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data technologies, we decipher structure-function relationships of enzyme proteins and develop core algorithms and toolkits for enzyme molecular design.

Key objectives include:

Designing and engineering industrial enzyme catalysts with high activity, stability, and operational robustness to enhance catalytic performance and industrial applicability, thereby providing novel, practical biocatalysts for new products and processes.

Developing eukaryotic and prokaryotic host systems with well-defined intellectual property rights. We investigate molecular mechanisms underlying high-efficiency enzyme protein expression and cellular secretion in agroforestry-derived microbes, creating molecular toolkits for optimized expression of enzymes critical to agriculture/forestry, environmental remediation, and chemical industries.

Establishing high-efficiency synthetic system platforms to achieve proprietary, large-scale secretory expression systems for bulk enzymes. Pilot-scale fermentation processes will be optimized and scaled up to resolve bottleneck challenges in enzyme supply for agriculture/forestry, environmental protection, and chemical sectors.

We explore the ecological significance of ubiquitous enzyme structure synthesis in modern bacterial cells and validate the hypothesis of widespread semiconductor-based photosynthesis. We develop microbially synthesized enzyme structures for applications in medical diagnostics, imaging, and biosensing technologies.

2. Mechanistic Research on High-Efficiency Degradation and Saccharification of Lignocellulose

Enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulose is a critical step for converting lignocellulosic biomass into liquid fuels via sugar platforms. During the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose, lignin acts as a natural physical barrier, hindering the accessibility of cellulose and hemicellulose to enzymes, thereby reducing saccharification efficiency and increasing costs. Laccase-mediated pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass represents an auspicious approach. Building upon our acquired high-performance lignin-degrading laccases, we focus on elucidating the interaction mechanisms between laccase catalytic activity and substrates.

Key methodologies include:

Characterizing diverse substrates (e.g., alkaline lignin, hydrolyzed lignin) pre- and post-degradation using Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR) and chromatographic techniques.

Analyzing lignin degradation dynamics by monitoring changes in key functional groups, molecular morphology, size distribution, and dispersity to clarify the mechanistic basis of high-efficiency lignin-degrading laccases.

Investigating cellulase performance bottlenecks using microcrystalline cellulose, filter paper cellulose, and lignocellulose as substrates. Chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses track enzymatic hydrolysis processes, while microscale examination of glucose and xylose release kinetics elucidates fundamental cellulase action mechanisms. This work establishes a molecular foundation for enhancing cellulase activity and production through targeted regulation.

3. Research on Microbe-Plant Interactions

This research direction employs molecular ecology theories to analyze energy flow, material cycling, and informational exchange within agroforestry microecosystems, emphasizing interdisciplinary integration to address critical scientific questions in microbe-plant interactions. We prioritize upgrading traditional agroforestry production systems through microbial ecology and molecular biology principles. Leveraging regional resource advantages and forestry characteristics, we focus on elucidating interaction mechanisms and applications between plants and symbiotic fungi, such as mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi.

Key research components:

Using Northeast China’s characteristic plants (e.g., Vaccinium spp. [blueberries], Rubus spp. [raspberries]) and microbes (e.g., mycorrhizal/endophytic fungi) as study models, combined with modern microbiomics technologies, we characterize the structural composition and functional diversity of symbiotic microbiomes in economically valuable forest plants. This includes identifying key genes, proteins, microRNAs, and target genes involved in plant-microbe interactions, and deciphering microbial colonization mechanisms.

Employing fluorescent protein labeling and other technologies, we investigate the establishment of fungal-plant symbiotic systems and their functional interplay with different microorganisms and environmental factors. This reveals the roles of symbiotic microbes in plant growth, environmental adaptation, and evolutionary processes, while providing theoretical guidance for the efficient cultivation of economically valuable forest species.

Exploring root ecosystem stability and critical factors influencing plant development in economic forest systems.

Developing practical technologies such as mycorrhizal cultivation techniques and microbial inoculants for agroforestry applications.

4. Biodiversity Conservation Mechanisms and Long-term Protection Strategy Research

Our research team prioritizes biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization as core objectives, conducting studies on conservation mechanisms and long-term protection strategies.

(1) Foundational Research on Biodiversity Conservation in Forest Ecosystems

We perform biodiversity surveys, assessments, and monitoring in Northeast China’s forest ecosystems, completing baseline resource inventories for multiple protected areas and compiling scientific expedition reports. Leveraging multi-year datasets, we will provide a critical scientific evaluation of conservation efficacy within China’s protected area management framework. A key focus involves analyzing climate change impacts on forest biodiversity, particularly soil microbial diversity response mechanisms under global climate change scenarios, including temperature rise and precipitation pattern shifts.

(2) Sustainable Resource Utilization Under Biodiversity Conservation Frameworks

Addressing the strategic demand for understory economic development in state-owned forest regions, we investigate key scientific questions regarding Northeast forests’ characteristics, potential, and integrated utilization prospects of economic plant resources. We have established extensive baseline data on plant germplasm resource reserves and habitat conditions, systematically collecting and preserving priority species resources.

5. Biosynthetic Pathway Elucidation and High-efficiency Production of Natural Products

Microbial-derived natural products (secondary metabolites) are vital pharmaceutical resources, significantly contributing to human health. We investigate bioactive natural products synthesized by forest-understory microbial communities, elucidating their biosynthetic pathways and enzymatic reaction mechanisms. We also explore and activate latent functional genes to discover novel natural products.

Key approaches include:

Functional analysis of enzymes within metabolic pathways to identify or engineer high-efficiency catalytic enzymes. Genes encoding these enzymes are introduced into heterologous expression hosts, enabling synthetic pathway construction for high-value compounds through gene integration across taxa.

Rational design of microbial metabolic pathways to enhance target metabolite flux. Gene expression regulation tools are developed to achieve dynamic and precise control of gene expression levels across synthetic pathways.

Application of cofactor engineering, biosensors, and protein scaffolding to elevate target metabolite synthesis efficiency.

Discipline of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program at Northeast Forestry University is a second-level discipline under the first-level discipline of Biology, offering both doctoral and master’s programs. Led by Prof. Lan Xingguo, the department comprises three professors, seven associate professors, and one lecturer, forming a young and innovative research team. Over the past five years, the team has secured 17 national-level and 15 provincial/ministerial-level research grants, published over 60 SCI-indexed journal articles (with a single-article citation peak of 229), authored five monographs, obtained 14 invention patents, and received the First Prize of the Heilongjiang Provincial Science and Technology Award (Natural Science Category).

Primary Research Focus: Functional Gene Mining and Regulatory Mechanism Exploration in Plant Abiotic Stress Responses. Centered on functional genomics, current research investigates halophytic model plants and saline-alkali soil-adapted species through abiotic stress (salinity, drought, temperature) mutant screening and stress-tolerance gene identification. This work aims to elucidate the molecular genetic basis and cellular signal transduction mechanisms underlying plant adaptation to abiotic stressors.

Key objectives include:

Analyzing and characterizing plant stress-specific genes to reveal compensatory effects and regulatory pathways in plants under environmental stress, thereby clarifying the biological functions of these genes in stress adaptation.

Conducting applied research on stress-tolerant plant breeding and specialized resource utilization for saline-alkali lands, alongside studies on vegetation restoration and process control in fragile ecological zones. These efforts provide professional consultation and evidence-based decision-making guidance for ecological rehabilitation and sustainable development of saline-alkali soils in Northeast China.

Discipline of Food Science and Engineering

The Heilongjiang Collaborative Innovation Center for Under-forest Economy supports the Food Science and Engineering discipline at Northeast Forestry University. It boasts a National First-class Undergraduate Program in Food Science and Engineering, a Master’s Program in the same field, a Professional Master’s Program in Food Processing and Safety, and a jointly established Doctoral Program in Forest Plant Resources. The discipline has been awarded the status of a National Agricultural Science and Education Talent Training Base and has received approval for two national-level "Science and Technology Backyard" construction projects—one focusing on forest food in the Greater Khingan Mountains and the other on berries in Yichun, Heilongjiang. In addition, it has independently established a provincial-ministerial key laboratory for utilizing forest food resources and has developed nine university-industry research and teaching practice bases.

Centering on northern China’s distinctive forest food resources, the discipline addresses challenges such as outdated research on forest products, low technological content, insufficient industry chain extension, and the need for eco-friendly development and utilization models. Research focuses on the separation and preparation of bioactive compounds, activity analysis, mechanisms of action, structure–activity relationship studies, and the creation of nutrition and health products and deep-processed specialty products.

Scientific research in this discipline has significantly advanced the modernization of berries, edible fungi, nuts, wild vegetables, and medicinal food resources in forest regions, laying a solid foundation for the internationalization of related forest food industries.

At the fundamental research level, the discipline centers on metabolic regulation of active ingredients, processing properties, and structure–function mechanisms. It has elucidated the metabolic pathways, rate-limiting enzymes, key substrates, signal molecules, and transduction mechanisms involved in synthesizing plant secondary metabolites. Furthermore, it has established mathematical models for processing and storage procedures and verified the functional efficacy from multiple perspectives.

The discipline has developed various innovative forest food products at the industry application level, characterized by convenient consumption, novel dosage forms, and high bioavailability. These achievements have significantly driven the development of core technologies in northern forest food industries and accelerated regional economic growth.

Over the past five years, the discipline team has undertaken 98 research projects with a total funding of 20.473 million yuan; received 14 awards at the provincial, ministerial, or higher levels; secured 22 authorized national patents; published 312 high-level papers, including 128 indexed in SCI/EI; and authored eight academic monographs and textbooks. In education, the team has conducted 15 teaching research projects, published 24 teaching-related papers, and won 3 teaching achievement awards. Collaborating with local forest enterprises, the discipline has jointly developed 30 new products and completed four industrial construction projects, generating remarkable economic and social benefits.

Team Members: Bao Yihong, Fu Qun, Zhang Zhi, Wang Ping, Wang Jinling, Zhao Yuhong, Li Dehai, Guo Qingqi, Liu Rong, Fan Ziluan, Chai Yangyang, Li Fangfei, Zhao Xin, Zhang Zhuo, Gao Chenzhe