团队立足全重实验室整体布局，聚焦玉米优异基因资源高效挖掘与育种应用，紧密对接我国高产、耐逆玉米新品种培育重大战略需求。团队以解析玉米高产耐逆遗传基础与分子调控网络为核心目标，系统开展玉米抗逆、株型、穗型等关键农艺性状的基因克隆与育种利用研究。近年来，团队克隆调控玉米籽粒装载铁元素关键基因ZmNAC78、磷养分高效基因PILNCR2、耐盐基因ZmCIPK12、抗根倒伏基因ZmRLR1等重要功能基因12个，相关研究成果在Science、Advanced Science、Genome Biology、New Phytologist、Plant Physiology等国际主流期刊发表SCI论文20余篇，授权国家发明专利5项。
1. 代表性论文
(1) Pengshuai Yan, Qingguo Du, Huan Chen, Zifeng Guo, Zhonghua Wang, Jihua Tang, Wen-Xue Li. Biofortification of iron content by regulating a NAC transcription factor in maize. Science (2023), DOI: 10.1126/science.adf3256.
(2) Yafei Wang, Zhonghua Wang, Qingguo Du, Kai Wang, Chunqin Zou, Wen-Xue Li. The long non-coding RNA PILNCR2 increases low phosphate tolerance in maize by interfering with miRNA399-guided cleavage of ZmPHT1s. Molecular Plant (2023), DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.05.009.
(3) Wenshuai Lv, Pengshuai Yan, Huan Chen, Guangxian Li, Yiyue Zhao, Yanhui Chen, Qingguo Du, Wen-Xue Li. Natural variations of ZmRLR1 mediate the root lodging resistance of maize by regulating root ascorbate and auxin homeostasis. Advanced Science (2026), DOI:10.1002/advs.202519638.
(4) Yiru Wang, Cheng He, Qiqi Wang, Rui Li, Yang Qin, Hongwu Wang, Mingyue Gou, Xuebin Zhang, Huiyong Li, Quansheng Huang, Xinfang Liu, Jinliang Yang, Frank F. White, Junjie Fu, Sanzhen Liu, Jun Zheng. Large DNA and protein language models enhance discovery of deleterious mutations in maize. Genome Biology (2025), DOI:10.1186/s13059-025-03890-2.
(5) Jie Zhang, Riliang Gu, Xinxin Miao, H. Schmidt Renate, Zhenxiang Xu, Jiawen Lu, Yuting Ma, Tao Yang, Pingxi Wang, Yangyang Liu, Xi Wang, Xuemei Du, Nannan Zheng, Sihan Zhen, Chengyong Liang, Yuxin Xie, Yongrui Wu, Lin Li, Jochen C. Reif, Yong Jiang, Jianhua Wang, Junjie Fu, Hongwei Zhang. GWAS-based population genetic analysis identifies bZIP29 as a heterotic gene in maize. Plant Communications (2025), DOI:10.1016/j.xplc.2025.101289.
(6) Zhu Wanchao, Li Weifu, Zhang Hongwei, Li Lin. Big data and artificial intelligence-aided crop breeding: Progress and prospects. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology (2025), DOI:10.1111/jipb.13791.
(7) Tao Zhou, Jie Zhang, Yan Liang, Riliang Gu, Yuting Ma, Wanchao Zhu, Juan Li, Xuemei Du, Xi Wang, Pingxi Wang, Yangyang Liu, Sihan Zhen, Junjie Fu, Lin Li, Hongwei Zhang. Nonadditive regulation confers phenotypic variation in hybrid maize. New Phytologist (2025), DOI:10.1111/nph.20453.
(8) Jian Li, Xinyun Han, Yiru Wang, Yangsong Chen, Xunji Chen, Yuhang Guo, Zhen Chen, Xiaodong Wang, Chun Liu, Wenyue Wang, Rui Li, Zhifeng Chen, Yang Qin, Jian Hua, Jun Zheng. A CBL-interacting protein kinase ZmCIPK12 confers salt tolerance in maize. New Phytologist (2025), DOI:10.1111/nph.70602.
(9) Yuxin Chen, Yiru Wang, Minghao Sun, Jian Li, Yang Qin, Quansheng Huang, Jun Zheng. Molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis gene ZmCNX6 regulates vivipary and drought tolerance in maize. The Crop Journal (2025), DOI:10.1016/j.cj.2025.07.004.
(10) Chen Huan, Gong Xiaoping, Guo Yu, Yu Jingjuan, Li Wen-Xue, Du Qingguo. ZmbZIP27 regulates nitrogen-mediated leaf angle by modulating lignin deposition in maize. The Crop Journal (2024), DOI:10.1016/j.cj.2024.09.004.
2. 代表性专利、软著与专著
(1) 玉米ZmNAC78基因在调控玉米籽粒铁含量中的应用，杜庆国、闫鹏帅、李文学，ZL202311599478.6；
(2) ZmMARD1基因在增强玉米抗倒伏能力中的应用，李文学、吕文帅、杜庆国、闫鹏帅，ZL202511547625.4；
(3) 蛋白ZmERF018及其编码基因在玉米干旱响应中的应用，郑军、王逸茹、王小东，ZL202311854017.9；
(4) 玉米ZmLAC9基因在植物适应盐胁迫中的应用，李文学、杜庆国、秦瑞东、胡玉梅，ZL202310571720.2；
(5) 蛋白ZmHDT103 及其编码基因在调控植物干旱抗性中的应用，郑军、王逸茹、王小东，ZL202410049475.3。
