Dr. Huan Chen Associate Professor/Doctoral Advisor/PI Address: A-0-307; B-329B, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University E-mail: huan.chen@sjtu.edu.cn Research direction: Plant-pathogen interactions, salicylic acid signaling and systemic acquired resistance. Areas of expertise: Plant-bacteria interactions, pathogen effectors, phytohormones, abiotic stresses, gene regulation, ubiquitination, intercellular trafficking.

 

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Chen (ORCID: 0000-0003-1182-3144) is a principal investigator and a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). He obtained his Ph.D. in Gyeongsang National University (GNU, South Korea) and conducted postdoctoral research at GNU and University of South Carolina (USC), US. He has keen interests and passion in studying defense hormone salicylic acid signaling and plant-microbe interactions using multidisciplinary scientific approaches. To ultimately exploit broad-spectrum and durable disease resistance in food crops and human health, his group continue to focus on (i) studying salicylic acid signaling and systemic acquired resistance, (ii) uncovering strategies employed by phytopathogen effector proteins to alter host immunity and physiology, (iii) and dissecting how the environment affects plant-microbe interactions in plant disease pyramid.

Till 2025, he has published over 46 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals with total impact factors over 500. As the first and corresponding-author, more than 20 articles have been published in a wide range of journals including Cell Host & Microbe, Nature Plants, Science Advances, Molecular Plant, Advance Science, New Phytologist, Trends in Plant Science, Trends in Microbiology, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology (Cover story), Plant Cell Environment, Virulence, etc.

Dr. Chen is the associate editor of Plant Biotechnology Journal and a member of the editorial boards of Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions journal. The lab has been being supported by the SJTU Double First-Class Fund, National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China NSFC, Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, etc.

 

POSITIONS

08/2022-present, Associate Professor/Doctoral Advisor/PI, Department of Plant Science, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), China

05/2014-03/2022, Postdoctoral Scientist, Plant Immunity, Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia, SC, US

05/2011-02/2014, Postdoctoral Scientist, Cell Communications, World Class University (WCU) project, Division of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea

 

EDUCATIONS

06/2006-02/2011, Ph.D. Environmental Biotechnology, Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea

09/2004-08/2006, M.S. Molecular Biology, Division of Applied Life Science, Graduate School of Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea

09/2000-06/2004, B.S. Biological Sciences (Education), School of Life Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, China

 

RESEARCH CONTENT

1. Salicylic acid signaling and systemic immunity

2. Pathogenesis of phytopathogens

3. Environment-plant-pathogens interactions

 

ACADEMIC SERVICES

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (Associate Editor, Editorial Board)

Plant Biotechnology Journal (Associate Editor)

Frontiers in Microbiology (Guest Editor)

Stress Biology (Guest Editor, 11/2023-12/2024)

 

TEACHING & MENTORING

Current Lab Members: Dr. Xuening Zhang (2023.07, Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation), Dr. Yanbin Guan (2025.03), Yan Qiao (PhD student, 2023.04), Xiwang Zhao (PhD student, 2024.04), Maosen Wang (PhD student, 2024.04), Huilin Lv (MS student, 2023.09).

Former Members: Mengya Sun (MS, 2022.09-2025.03); Siyue Chan (Shanghai Chuansha High School) and Xinyi Hu (Shanghai Wusong High School), 2023-2024.

Plant Molecular Immunology (Hormones and Plant Health; HORT8011, English, graduate course), 09/2024~Present, SJTU, China.

Outreach Science lab (Detecting citrus greening pathogens, high-school students), 2019-2020, USC.

Biochemistry (BIOL 541, undergraduate course), 09/2014, USC.

Mentored 7 Honors Undergraduate Students at USC: Justin Wright (2021, Magellan mini-grant awardee); Connor Lewis (2020, Magellan scholarship awardee); Michael Clinton (2019-2020, Chen et al., 2019, Molecular Plant); John Korin (2018, Qi et al., 2018, Molecular Plant); Jon McGill (2017, co-author in Chen et al, 2017, Cell Host & Microbe); Aaron Mennitt (2016) ; Richard Bidwell (2015), 2015-2021, USC.

 

FUNDING & AWARDS

Program for High-Level Overseas Talents Introduction (Shanghai Magnolia Award), Shanghai, China, 2023

ASPIRE-I, IIB (#130100-21-56863), "Interaction Between EDS1 and WRKY Transcription Factors Confers Transcriptional Reprogramming in Plant Immunity, USC, 07/2021-09/2022.

ASPIRE-I, IIB (#13010-18-47842), A Cooperation of Essential Activators of Salicylic Acid Signaling NPR1 and EDS1 in Plant Immunity, USC, 07/2018-09/2019.

Young Pioneer Researcher, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea, 2013.

Best Poster Award, The 51th Annual Meeting and International Symposium of Korean Society of Life Science, South Korea, 2010.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Soochow University, China, 2004.

C.W. Chu Scholarships, Soochow University, Suzhou, China, 2002 and 2003.

First Class Scholarships, Soochow University, Suzhou, China, 2002 and 2003.

 

PUBLICATIONS

HUAN CHEN-ORCID: 0000-0003-1182-3144

HUAN CHEN - Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=uj76wkEAAAAJ&hl=en

1. Li K, Qiao Y, Chen H*, Liu F* (2025). Small molecules unlock broad-spectrum plant resistance. Nature Plants, Jan;11(1):11-13. News & Views (*Co-corresponding author)
2. Ikram AU, Islam F, Ahmed S, Ling T, Feng F, Sun Z*, Chen H*, Chen J* (2025). All Roads Lead to Rome: Pathways to Engineering Disease Resistance in Plants. Advances Science, Feb;12(5):e2412223. Review (*Co-corresponding author)
3. Zhang M, Zhao X, Li Cheng*, Chen H*, Liu F* (2025) Regulated activation of helper NLRs triggers cell death. Molecular Plant Apr 25:S1674-2052. Spotlight (*Co-corresponding author)
4. Ikram AU, Chen H*, Chen J* (2025). H2O2 sulfenylates CHE to activate systemic acquired resistance. Trends in Plant Science, Mar;30(3):238-240. Spotlight (*Co-corresponding author)
5. Liu W*, Chen H*, Ma C, Huang L (2025). Decoding citrus Huanglongbing resistance and AI-driven innovation in bacterial pathogen control. J Integr Plant Biol. Commentary (*Co-first author).
6. Ikram AU, Xin K, Chen G*, Chen H*, Chen J (2025). Erucamide provides broad-spectrum bacterial resistance through targeting type III secretion system. New Plant Protection. (*Co-corresponding author)
7. Khan M, Islam F, Chen H*, Chen J* (2025). A fungal effector hijacks a plastid protein to dampen plant immunity; PR1 is here for rescue. Stress Biology. (5:23). Letter (*Co-corresponding author)
8. Zhu F, Li K, Cao M, Zhang Q, Zhou Y, Chen H, Alkhazindar M, Ji Z (2025). NbNAC1 enhances plant immunity against TMV by regulating isochorismate synthase 1 expression and the SA pathway. Plant Journal, Feb;121(4):e17242.
9. Ikram AU, Jing Y, Chen H*, Chen J* (2025). Two paths, one goal: mechanism of calcium homeostasis to balance plant growth and immunity. Science China Life Sciences, Jan;68(1):306-308. (*Co-corresponding author)
10. Ikram AU, Jing Y, Chen H*, Chen J* (2024). Bacteria deploy water channels to aid infection in plants. Trends in Plant Science, Jun;29(6):620-622. Spotlight (*Co-corresponding author) 
11. Zhu F, Cao MY, Zhang QP, Mohan R, Schar J, Mitchell M, Chen H, Liu F, Wang D, Fu ZQ (2024). Join the green team: Inducers of plant immunity in the plant disease sustainable control toolbox. Journal of Advanced Research, Mar:57:15-42.
12. Zhu F*, Wang XW, Chen H*, Wen J* (2024). Chiral nanopesticides: the invincible opponent of plant viruses. Trends in Plant Science, Feb;29(2):120-122. Spotlight (*Co-corresponding author).
13. Wang Y, Risteski P, Yang Y, Chen H, Droby G, Walens A, Jayaprakash D, Troester M, Herring L, Chernoff J, Tolic IM, Bower J, Vaziri C (2023). The TRIM69-MST2 signaling axis regulates centrosome dynamics and chromosome segregation. Nucleic Acids Research, Oct 27;51(19):10568-10589.
14. Islam F, Liu S, Chen H*, Chen J* (2023). Reprogramming of hormone-mediated antiviral responses in plants by viruses: A molecular tug of war on the salicylic acid-mediated immunity. Molecular Plant. Oct 2;16(10):1493-1495. Spotlight (*Co-corresponding author).
15. Chen H, Chen J, Zhao Y, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2022). Pseudomonas syringae pathovars. Trends in Microbiology, Sep;30(9):912-913. (IF 18.230).
16. Chen H, Li M, Qi G, Zhao M, Wang D, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2021). Two interacting transcriptional coactivators NPR1 and EDS1 cooperatively control plant immune responses. Science Advances, Nov 5;7(45): eabl7173. (IF 14.957). 
17. Qi G, Chen H, Zheng H, Tang X, Chen J, Wang Y, Bai MY, Liu F, Wang D, Fu ZQ (2021). The BZR1-EDS1 module coordinates plant growth-defense coordination. Molecular Plant, Dec 6;14(12):2072-2087.. (IF 21.949).
18. Chen H, Chen J, Li M, Chang M, Xu K, Shang Z, Zhao Y, Palmer IA, Zhang Y, McGill J, Alfano JR, Nishimura MT, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2017). A Bacterial type III effector targets the master regulator of salicylic acid signaling NPR1 to subvert plant immunity. Cell Host & Microbe, Dec 13;22(6):777-788.e7. (IF 31.316).

 #Featured by the F1000Prime Faculty (Frank White, 2018): Recommended as a new finding, good for teaching and interesting hypothesis article.

 #Highlighted in “NPR1 in JazzSet with Pathogen Effectors” (Sun et al., 2018), Trends in Plant Science. 

19. Liu L, Li Y, Xu Z, Chen H, Zhang J, Manion B, Liu F, Zou L, Fu ZQ, Chen G (2022). The Xanthomonas type III effector XopAP prevents stomatal closure by interfering with vacuolar acidification. J. Integr. Plant Biol. (IF 9.106).
20. Liu N, Chen H, Wang X, Wang D, Fu ZQ (2022). TIRggering cell death via two enzymatic reactions. Molecular Plant 15(8): 1263-1265. Spotlight. (IF 21.949).
21. Chang M, Chen H, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2022). PTI and ETI: convergent pathways with diverse elicitors. Trends Plant Science. Spotlight. (IF 22.102).
22. Chen J, Chen H, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2022). A war on the cell wall. Molecular Plant. Spotlight. (IF 13.164).
23. Khan MSS, Islam F, Chen H, Chang M, Wang D, Liu F, Fu ZQ, Chen J (2022). Transcriptional coactivators: Driving Force of Plant Immunity. Front. Plant Sci. Review (IF 6.627).
24. Chen J*, Zhang J, Kong M, Freeman A, Chen H*, Liu F* (2021). More stories to tell: NONEXPRESSOR OF PATHOGENESIS RELATED GENES1, a salicylic acid receptor. Plant Cell & Environment: 44(6):1716-1727. (*Co-corresponding author). Review (IF 7.947).
25. Meng F, Yang C, Cao J, Chen H, Pang J, Zhao Q, Wang Z, Fu ZQ, Liu J (2020). A bHLH transcription activator regulates defense signaling by nucleo-cytosolic trafficking in rice. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 62(10), 1552-1573. (IF 9.106).
26. Chen H, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2019). Deceiving the chaperone. Nature Plants Nov;5(11):1110-1111. News & views. (IF 17.352).
27. Chen H, Clinton M, Qi G, Wang D, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2019). Connecting the Dots: a new and complete salicylic acid biosynthesis pathway. Molecular Plant 12(12): 1539-1541. Spotlight. (IF 21.949).
28. Palmer IA, Chen H, Chen J, Chang M, Li M, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2019). Novel salicylic acid analogs induce a potent defense response in Arabidopsis. Int J. Mol. Sci 20(13):3356. (IF 6.208).
29. Chen J, Mohan R, Zhang Y, Li M, Chen H, Palmer IA, Chang M, Qi G, Spoel SH, Mengiste T, Wang D, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2019). NPR1 promotes its own and target gene expression in plant defense by recruiting CDK8. Plant Physiol. pp.00124. (IF 8.005).
30. Chang M, Zhao J, Chen H, Li G, Chen J, Li M, Palmer IA, Song J, Alfano JR, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2019). PBS3 protects EDS1 from proteasome-mediated degradation in plant immunity. Molecular Plant 12(5):678-688. (IF 21.949).
31. Chen H, Palmer I, Chen J, Thompson S, Liu F, and Fu Z.Q (2018). Specific and accurate detection of the citrus greening pathogen Candidatus liberibacter spp. using conventional PCR on citrus leaf tissue samples. JOVE. (IF 1.424).
32. Li M, Chen H, Chen J, Chang M, Palmer IA, Gassmann W, Liu F, Fu ZQ (2018). TCP transcription factors interact with NPR1 and contribute redundantly to systemic acquired resistance. Front Plant Sci. 14;9:1153. (IF 6.627).
33. Qi G, Chen J, Chang M, Chen H, Hall K, Korin J, Liu F, Wang D, Fu ZQ (2018). Pandemonium breaks out: Disruption of salicylic acid-mediated defense by plant pathogens. Molecular Plant 11(12):1427-1439. Review (IF 21.949).
34. Wu L*, Chen H*, Curtis C, Fu ZQ (2014). Go in for the kill. How plants deploy effector-triggered immunity to combat pathogens. Virulence 5:7, 1012. (*Co-first author). (IF 5.428).
35. Chen H, Ahmad M, Rim Y, Lucas WJ, Kim JY (2013). Evolutionary and molecular analysis of Dof transcription factors identified a conserved motif for intercellular protein trafficking. New Phytologist, Jun;198(4):1250-1260. (IF 10.323). 
36. Chen H, Jackson D, Kim JY (2014). Identification of evolutionarily conserved amino acid residues in homeodomain of KNOX proteins for intercellular trafficking. Plant Signaling & Behavior 9:e28355. (IF 2.734). 
37. Kumar D, Chen H, Rim Y, Kim JY (2015). GAL4 transactivation-based assay for the detection of selective intercellular protein movement. Plasmodesmata. Methods Mol Biol. 1217:231-43. Method (IF 1.187).
38. Han X, Kumar D, Chen H, Wu S, Kim JY (2014). Transcription factor-mediated cell-to-cell signaling and its regulation. J Exp Bot. 65:1737-49. Review (IF 7.298). Q1-1
39. Ahmad M, Rim Y, Chen H, Kim JY (2013). Functional characterization of Arabidopsis Dof transcription factor AtDof4.1. Russ. J. Plant Physiol. 60: 116-123. (IF 1.419). Q3-4
40. Je J, Chen H, Song C, Lim CO (2014). Arabidopsis DREB2C modulates ABA biosynthesis during germination. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 452:91-98. (IF 3.322). 
41. Chen H, Je J, Song C, Hwang JE, Lim CO (2012). A proximal promoter region confers tissue-specific expression of Arabidopsis DREB2C under heat stress. J Integr Plant Biol. Sep;54(9):640-51. (Cover Story). (IF 7.061).
42. Chen H, Hwang JE, Lim CJ, Kim DY, Lee SY, Lim CO (2010). Arabidopsis DREB2C functions as a transcriptional activator of HsfA3 during the heat stress response. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. Oct 15;401(2):238-44. (IF 3.322).
43. Hwang JE, Lim CJ, Chen H, Je J, Song C, Lim CO (2011). Overexpression of Arabidopsis dehydration responsive element binding protein 2C confers tolerance to oxidative stress. Mol Cells 33: 1-10. (IF 4.250).
44. Hwang JE, Hong JK, Lim CJ, Chen H, Je J, Yang KA, Kim DY, Choi Y., Lee SY, Lim CO (2010). Distinct expression patterns of two Arabidopsis phytocystain genes, AtCYS1 and AtCYS2, during development and abiotic stress. Plant Cell Rep 29: 905-915. (IF 4.964).
45. Lim CJ, Hwang JE, Chen H, Hong JK, Yang KA, Choi MS, Lee KO, Chung WS, Lee SY, Lim CO (2007). Over-expression of the Arabidopsis DRE/CRT-binding transcription factor DREB2C enhances thermotolerance. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 362: 431-436. (IF 3.322).
46. Gu QY, Shen SD, Xiang WY, Chen H (2005). Studies on the solid culture of somatic cells from Porphyra haitanensis. J Suzhou Univ (Nat Sci) 21(3).

 

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