Research interests

Plant viruses are primarily transmitted by insect vectors such as aphids, whiteflies, and thrips. Therefore, in-depth research on plant resistance mechanisms against insects and viruses is crucial for ensuring sustainable agricultural development and food security. Our research group focuses on the tripartite interactions among Solanaceae crops, viruses, and insects. The work aims to elucidate the early key steps in virus transmission and pathogenicity by insect vectors, investigate the regulatory mechanisms of rapid crop responses to viral infection, identify important plant resistance genes and secondary metabolites, and clarify the role and regulatory mechanisms of volatile compounds in plant airborne immunity, thereby providing theoretical foundations and applied technologies for the green control of viral diseases. The main research directions include:

1. Identifying volatile compounds released by plants that attract insect vectors, natural enemy insects, or mediate antiviral responses.
2. Identifying characteristic volatile profiles of infected plants and elucidating the mechanisms by which viruses alter plant metabolic synthesis pathways.
3. Uncovering the response mechanisms by which plants activate resistance reactions during the early stages of viral infection.
4. Discovering novel plant resistance genes and antiviral pathways.

Employment

2020-2024: Postdoctoral Researcher, Tsinghua University

2024-Present: Tenure-track Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University 

Education

2009-2013: B.S., College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University

2013-2020: Ph.D., School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University

Selected Publications (#co-first author, *corresponding author)

• Wang Y.#*, Gong, Q.#, & Liu, Y. Multifaceted roles of autophagy in plant-virus-insect interactions. The New phytologist, 10.1111/nph.70478.2025
• Wang Y#*, Gong Q#, Liu Y. Interplant communication: An emerging battlefield in plant-aphid-virus interactions. Science China Life Sciences, 1-3, 2024.
• Gong Q#, Wang Y#, Zhang X#, Zhao J, Liu Y*, Hong Y*. Plant airborne defense against insects, viruses, and beyond. Trends in Plant Science, 29(3): 283-285, 2024.
• Gong Q#, Wang Y#, He L, Huang F, Zhang D, Wang Y, Wei X, Han M, Deng H, Luo L, Cui F, Hong Y, Liu Y*. Molecular basis of methyl salicylate-mediated plant airborne defence. Nature, 622(7981): 139-148, 2023. (Selected as both a‘Highly Cited Paper’and a‘Hot Paper’in ESI)
• Wang Y#, Gong Q#, Jin Z#, Liu Y*, Hong Y*. Linking calcium and RNAi signaling in plants. Trends in Plant Science, 27 (4): 328-330, 2022.
• Wang Y#, Gong Q#, Huang F, He L, Liu Y*. Live imaging and quantitation of insect feeding-induced Ca²⁺ signal using GCaMP3-based system in Nicotiana benthamiana. STAR Protocols, 3(1): 101040, 2022.
• Gong Q#, Wang Y#, Jin Z#, Hong Y, Liu Y*. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of RNAi-related gene expression during plant-virus interactions. Stress Biology, 2(1): 33, 2022.
• Wang Y#, Gong Q#, Wu Y, Huang F, Ismayil A, Zhang D, Li H, Gu H, Ludman M, Fatyol K, Qi Y, Yoshioka K, Hanley-Bowdoin L, Hong Y, Liu Y*. A calmodulin-binding transcription factor links calcium signaling to antiviral RNAi defense in plants. Cell Host & Microbe, 29 (9): 1393–1406, 2021. (Recommended by H1 Connect. Honored with‘2021 Chinese Scientists with Cell Press Most Picked Award’)
• Wang Y#, Wu Y#, Gong Q, Ismayil A, Yuan Y, Lian B, Jia Q, Han M, Deng H, Hong Y, Hanley-Bowdoin L, Qi Y*, Liu Y*. Geminiviral V2 protein suppresses transcriptional gene silencing through interaction with AGO4. Journal of Virology, 93(6): e01675-18, 2019.