1. Engineering new optogenetic tools
2. Investigating the mechanism of plant growth and development
3. Studying the mechanisms of plant immune responses

Ph.D 2017.11-2022.12  Wuerzburg University, Wuerzburg, Germany
MSc  2014.09-2017.06  Jilin University, Changchun, China 
BSc 2010.09-2014.07  Jilin University, Changchun, China 

2024.12-present Principal Investigator, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
2023.01-2024.07   Postdoctral Scientist, Wuerzburg University, Germany

Optogenetics, designed by using photoreceptors, is a noninvasive method to control either gene expression or cellular functions by light exposure. Optogenetic approaches have numerous advantages over conventional techniques with adjustable activity; high spatial precision and high temporal resolution. Our group is dedicated to advancing new optogenetic technologies by engineering systems with precise and tailored kinetics. Pollen tube growth and stomatal movement play critical roles in plant growth, development, and overall physiological function. In our previous research, ACR1 2.0 were effectively employed to regulate pollen tube growth and control stomatal movement with precision. We are committed to utilizing diverse optogenetic tools to orchestrate various signals within plants, aiming to precisely regulate their growth and development. In response to pathogen attacks, plants trigger a complex defense signaling network including [Ca2+]cyt increases, plasma membrane depolarization, ROS signaling, and phytohormone alterations. How individual of these signaling elements are channeled into specific physiological outcomes is poorly understood. Our group are applying optogenetic tools to targeted manipulation of specific signaling element and investigating their role in plant immune responses.

M. Ding, S. Gao，Non-invasive optogenetic stimulation of distinct stress responses in plants. Nature Research Briefing (2024).
M. Ding#, Y. Zhou#, D. Becker#, S. Yang#, M. Krischke, S. Scherzer, J. Yu-Strzelczyk, M. J. Mueller, R. Hedrich*, G. Nagel*, S. Gao*, K. R. Konrad*, Probing plant signal processing optogenetically by two channelrhodopsins. Nature 633，872–877 (2024).
D. Graus, K. Li, J.M. Rathje, M. Ding, M. Krischke, M.J. Muller, T.A. Cuin, K.A.S. Al-Rasheid, S. Scherzer, I. Marten, K.R. Konrad*, and R. Hedrich*, Tobacco leaf tissue rapidly detoxifies direct salt loads without activation of calcium and SOS signaling. The New phytologist 237, 217-231 (2022).
S. Huang#, M. Ding#, M. R. G. Roelfsema, I. Dreyer, S. Scherzer, K. A. S. Al-Rasheid, S. Gao, G. Nagel, R. Hedrich*, K. R. Konrad*, Optogenetic control of the guard cell membrane potential and stomatal movement by the light-gated anion channel GtACR1. Science advances 7, eabg4619 (2021). (Co-first author).
Y. Zhou#, M. Ding#, S. Gao#*, J. Yu-Strzelczyk#, M. Krischke, X. Duan, J. Leide, M. Riederer, M. J. Mueller, R. Hedrich, K. R. Konrad*, G. Nagel*, Optogenetic control of plant growth by a microbial rhodopsin. Nature plants 7, 144-151 (2021). (Co-first author).
Y. Zhou, M. Ding, G. Nagel, K. R. Konrad, S. Gao*, Advances and prospects of rhodopsin-based optogenetics in plant research. Plant physiology 187, 572-589 (2021). Y. Zhou, M. Ding, X. Duan, K. R. Konrad, G. Nagel, S. Gao*, Extending the Anion Channelrhodopsin-Based Toolbox for Plant Optogenetics. Membranes 11, (2021).
M. Ding#, H. Dong#, Y. Xue, S. Su, Y. Wu, S. Li, H. Liu, H. Li, J. Han, X. Shan*, Y. Yuan*, Transcriptomic analysis reveals somatic embryogenesis-associated signaling pathways and gene expression regulation in maize (Zea mays L.). Plant molecular biology 104, 647-663 (2020).
B. Liu, S. Su, Y. Wu, Y. Li, X. Shan, S. Li, H. Liu, H. Dong, M. Ding, J. Han, Y. Yuan, Histological and transcript analyses of intact somatic embryos in an elite maize(Zea mays L.) inbred line Y423. Plant Physiol Bioch 92, 81-91 (2015).