Research Team
Marine Molecular Ecology and Chemical Ecology
Group Profile
Our team addresses national strategic needs and aligns with the core research directions of the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou). The focus is on systematic research into the genetic diversity of organisms in deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems, such as cold seeps and hydrothermal vents. The aim is to unravel key scientific questions regarding the unique environmental adaptation mechanisms, symbiotic relationships, and population connectivity of organisms in these extreme ecosystems. Additionally, the team explores synthetic gene clusters and bioactive compounds with application potential to promote the efficient utilization of marine resources, pioneering innovative development and utilization models of marine genetic resources.
Currently, the team’s primary research focuses are:
- Adaptation mechanisms and connectivity in extreme deep-sea environments.
- A three-dimensional integrated approach to discovering natural products (“deep-sea genes-chemistry-activity”).
Research Directions
Marine Molecular Ecology:
- Investigates the genomes of organisms from deep-sea cold seeps and hydrothermal vents, focusing on their adaptive evolutionary mechanisms and population connectivity.
- Studies symbiotic microbiomes within chemosynthetic ecosystems and the molecular mechanisms maintaining their symbiotic systems.
Marine Chemical Ecology:
- Employs multi-omics techniques such as genomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics to discover marine bioactive natural products, studying their molecular mechanisms of action and ecological effects.
- Focus areas include the development of compounds for anti-biofilm, antibiotics, anti-neurodegenerative diseases, and anti-fouling purposes. This includes biosynthetic pathway analysis, heterologous expression systems, and optimization of engineered strains.
Research Team
Prof. Pei-Yuan Qian
Director, Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou)
Email: boqianpy@ust.hk
Lab link: https://qianlab.hkust.edu.hk/biography
Team Member
Prof. Pei-Yuan Qian
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Assistantziyin Deng -
Core researchersLing-Li LIUBiosynthesis of microbial natural products -
Core researchersXIANZHE GONGExpanding tree of life and exploring their ecological roles -
postdochaiying MaResearch on the adaptation mechanism of marine organisms to the environment -
postdocdianhang JangResearch on the genomes of deep-sea organisms and their adaptation mechanisms. -
postdocchangyu ZhuResearch on microbial diversity and adaptation mechanisms. -
postdocguoyong YanResearch on the adaptation mechanisms of deep-sea organisms to extreme environments. -
postdocdapeng QinResearch on the discovery of lead compounds of marine natural medicines and their formation mechanisms. -
postdocWenkang YeMarine natural products, anti-infective drugs and biomaterials.
