Xiaofei Cheng | Molecular Biology | Best Research Article Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Prof. Dr. Xiaofei Cheng | Molecular Biology | Best Research Article Award

Vice Dean | Northeast Agricultural University | China

Professor Xiaofei Cheng is a distinguished molecular plant pathologist and biochemist at the College of Agriculture, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China. His research focuses primarily on the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-virus interactions, with a particular emphasis on host immune modulation, viral pathogenicity, and RNA virus replication and movement. Through extensive collaborative research with national and international institutes, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the National Centre for Biotechnology (CSIC, Spain), Professor Cheng has made pioneering contributions to understanding how plant viruses exploit host cellular machinery to establish successful infections. A central theme of Cheng’s research involves elucidating how RNA viruses manipulate plant immunity. His team discovered that plant viruses can hijack host phosphatases to attenuate MAPK-mediated immunity, enabling robust infection. Moreover, his studies revealed the existence of pathogen protease-activated molecular decoys, offering potential for engineering customized resistance in plants. Cheng also uncovered viral strategies to target NPR1, a master regulator of salicylic acid (SA)-mediated defense, thereby suppressing antiviral immunity. His research extends to virus-encoded small proteins, viral replication vesicle formation, and intercellular virus movement. Earlier, Cheng’s work demonstrated that sumoylation of viral RNA polymerase promotes infection by subverting NPR1-mediated immunity, and that viral suppressor proteins such as VPg can degrade key host silencing factors via autophagy pathways. With over 96 publications, 1,635 citations, and an h-index of 23 (Scopus), Professor Cheng has established himself as a leading figure in molecular plant virology and biotechnology. His findings not only deepen our understanding of host-pathogen molecular interplay but also pave the way for developing virus-resistant crop varieties, contributing significantly to global agricultural sustainability.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | Research Gate

Featured Publications

  • Luan, Y., Jiang, X., Wang, Y., Chai, M., Li, F., Wang, A., Wu, X., & Cheng, X. (2025). A plant RNA virus hijacks a membrane-anchored dual-specificity phosphatase to attenuate MAPK-mediated immunity for robust infection. The Plant Cell.

  • Fan, X., Zhao, Y., Ji, W., Rodamilans, B., Simón-Mateo, C., García, J. A., Wu, X., & Cheng, X.* (2025). A pathogen protease-activated molecular decoy for customized resistance in plant. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 23, 2403–2405.

  • Jiang, X., Yang, Y., Li, Y., Wang, Y., Rodamilans, B., Ji, W., Wu, X., García, J. A., Wu, X., & Cheng, X. (2025). Plant viruses convergently target NPR1 with various strategies to suppress salicylic acid-mediated antiviral immunity. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 67(5), 1395–1412.

  • Chai, M., Li, L., Li, Y., Yang, Y., Wang, Y., Jiang, X., Luan, Y., Li, F., Cui, H., Wang, A., Xiang, W., Wu, X., & Cheng, X.* (2024). The 6-kilodalton peptide 1 in plant viruses of the family Potyviridae is a viroporin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 121(21), e2401748121.

  • Liu, J., Wu, X., Fang, Y., Liu, Y., Bello, E. O., Li, Y., Xiong, R., Li, Y., Fu, Z. Q., Wang, A., & Cheng, X.* (2023). A plant RNA virus inhibits NPR1 sumoylation and subverts NPR1-mediated plant immunity. Nature Communications, 14, 3580.

Somboon Tanasupawat | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Analytical Chemistry

Prof. Dr. Somboon Tanasupawat | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Academic Background and Early Career

Prof. Dr. Somboon Tanasupawat has an extensive academic background in microbiology and agricultural chemistry. He obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural Chemistry from Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan, an M.Sc. in Microbiology from Kasetsart University, Thailand, and a Diploma in Microbiology and Biotechnology from Osaka University, Japan. His early academic pursuits provided a strong foundation in microbial taxonomy, biotechnology, and applied microbiology.

🔬 Professional Endeavors and Research Focus

Currently, Prof. Tanasupawat is a Professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. His research expertise spans microbial taxonomy, industrial microbiology, and biotechnology. His contributions in identifying and characterizing novel microbial species have significantly advanced microbiological research.

📚 Research Contributions and Publications

With a prolific research career, Prof. Tanasupawat has published over 380 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributed 45 book chapters with internationally recognized publishers. His work in microbial taxonomy and applied microbiology has played a vital role in developing microbial applications for pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental sciences.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions

His outstanding contributions to microbiology have been acknowledged with several prestigious awards, including:

  • Scientist Award – Nagai Award (1996) from the Nagai Foundation, Tokyo, recognizing his early scientific achievements.

  • National Outstanding Research Award (2020) from the National Research Council of Thailand, highlighting his groundbreaking research in microbiology.

📖 Editorial and Academic Influence

Prof. Tanasupawat is an editorial board member of several scientific journals, further demonstrating his leadership in the microbiology community. His role as a mentor and researcher continues to influence microbiological advancements and guide future generations of scientists.

🌱 Legacy and Future Contributions

With his extensive research experience, Prof. Tanasupawat continues to contribute to microbial taxonomy and biotechnology, exploring new applications of microorganisms in pharmaceutical, environmental, and industrial fields. His legacy will remain in the identification and utilization of beneficial microbes, shaping the future of applied microbiology and microbial research worldwide.

📖Notable Publications

Description of Komagataeibacter gen. nov., with proposals of new combinations (Acetobacteraceae)

Authors: Y Yamada, P Yukphan, HTL Vu, Y Muramatsu, D Ochaikul, …

Journal: The Journal of General and Applied Microbiology

Year: 2012

Lactobacillus acidipiscis sp. nov. and Weissella thailandensis sp. nov., isolated from fermented fish in Thailand

Authors: S Tanasupawat, O Shida, S Okada, K Komagata

Journal: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology

Year: 2000

Ideonella sakaiensis sp. nov., isolated from a microbial consortium that degrades poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Authors: S Tanasupawat, T Takehana, S Yoshida, K Hiraga, K Oda

Journal: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology

Year: 2016

Proteinase-producing halophilic lactic acid bacteria isolated from fish sauce fermentation and their ability to produce volatile compounds

Authors: N Udomsil, S Rodtong, S Tanasupawat, J Yongsawatdigul

Journal: International Journal of Food Microbiology

Year: 2010

Exopolysaccharide-producing lactic acid bacteria strains from traditional Thai fermented foods: isolation, identification and exopolysaccharide characterization

Authors: T Smitinont, C Tansakul, S Tanasupawat, S Keeratipibul, L Navarini, …

Journal: International Journal of Food Microbiology

Year: 1999