Education

9/2003–12/2008, PhD, Major-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, China.

9/2006–5/2008, International Exchange Student, Institute for Clean Energy and Technology, Mississippi State University, USA.

9/1999–7/2003, Major-Agronomy, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, China

Employment

3/2009-present, Institute of Food Quality and Safety, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

Research interests

Food production is being challenged by deteriorating environment. Staying healthy is vital for the survival of crops under various environmental stimuli. My research focuses on the exogenous stimulation of plant immunity to combat both abiotic and biotic stresses, with two approaches adopted. First, natural chemicals are screened and identified for their role in the regulation of crop physiology in order to improve defensive capability without compromised growth and yield. Second, trying to keep crops healthy by the modulation of cultivation patterns. For each above approaches, the molecular targets or signaling pathways manipulated in crops are investigated by using biochemical and molecular biological methods.

Publications (*corresponding author)

1.         Cheng Y-W, Kong X-W, Wang N, Wang T-T, Chen J*, Shi ZQ. Thymol confers tolerance to salt stress by activating anti-oxidative defense and modulating Na⁺ homeostasis in rice root. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2020, 188:109894.

2.         Chen J*, Li H, Yang K, Wang Y, Yang L, Hu L, Liu R, Shi Z. Melatonin facilitates lateral root development by coordinating PAO-derived hydrogen peroxide and Rboh-derived superoxide radical. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2019, 143:534-544.

3.         Wang Y, Ye X, Yang K, Shi Z, Wang N, Yang L, Chen J*. Characterization, expression, and functional analysis of polyamine oxidases and their role in selenium-induced hydrogen peroxide production in Brassica rapa. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2019, 99:4082-4093.

4.         Hu L, Li H, Huang S, Wang C, Sun W-J, Mo H-Z, Shi ZQ, Chen J*. Eugenol confers cadmium tolerance via intensifying endogenous hydrogen sulfide signaling in Brassica rapa. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2018, 66: 9914-9922

5.         Wang TT, Shi ZQ, Hu L-B, Xu X-F, Han FX, Zhou LG, Chen J*. Thymol ameliorates cadmium-induced phytotoxicity in the root of rice (Oryza sativa) seedling by decreasing endogenous nitric oxide generation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2017, 65: 7396-7405.

6.         Lv W, Yang L, Xu C, Shi Z, Shao J, Xian M, Chen J*. Cadmium disrupts the balance between hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical by regulating endogenous hydrogen sulfide in the root tip of Brassica rapa. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2017, 8: 232.

7.         Ye X-F, Xue Y, Ling T, Wang Y, Yu X-N, Cheng X, Feng G, Hu L, Shi Z, Chen J*. Cinnamaldehyde ameliorates cadmium-inhibited root elongation in tobacco seedlings via decreasing endogenous hydrogen sulfide production. Molecules. 2017, 22: 15.

8.         Ye X, Ling T, Xue Y, Xu C, Zhou W, Hu L, Chen J*, Shi ZQ. Thymol mitigates cadmium stress by regulating glutathione levels and reactive oxygen species homeostasis in tobacco seedlings. Molecules. 2016, 21: 1339.

9.         Gao T, Chen J*, Shi Z. Fusarium graminearum pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (FgPDK1) is critical for conidiation, mycelium growth, and pathogenicity. PLoS ONE. 2016, 11(6): e0158077.

10.      Gao T, Zhou H, Zhou W, Hu L, Chen J*, Shi Z. The fungicidal activity of thymol against Fusarium graminearum via inducing lipid peroxidation and disrupting ergosterol biosynthesis. Molecules. 2016, 21: 770.

11.      Sun W-J, Lv W-J, Li LN, Yin G, Huang X, Xue YF, Chen J*, Shi Z. Eugenol confers resistance to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) by regulating the expression of SlPer1 in tomato plants. New Biotechnology. 2016, 33: 345-354.

12.      Xue Y-F, Zhang M, Qi Z-Q, Li Y-Q, Shi Z, Chen J*. Cinnamaldehyde promotes root branching by regulating endogenous hydrogen sulfide. Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture. 2016, 96: 909-914.

13.      Chen Y, Mo H-Z, Hu L-B, Li Y-Q, Chen J*, Yang L-F. The endogenous nitric oxide mediates selenium-induced phytotoxicity by promoting ROS generation in Brassica rapa. PLoS ONE. 2014, 9(10): e110901.

14.      Chen Y, Mo H-Z, Zheng M-Y, Ming X, Qi Z-Q, Li Y-Q, Hu L-B, Chen J*, Yang L-F. Selenium inhibits root elongation by repressing the generation of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in Brassica rapa. PLoS ONE. 2014, 9(10): e110904.

15.      Li Y-J, Shi Z-Q, Gan L-J, Chen J*. Hydrogen sulfide is a novel gasotransmitter with pivotal role in regulating lateral root formation in plants. Plant Signaling & Behavior. 2014, 9: e29127.

16.      Li YJ, Chen J*, Xian M, Zhou LG, Han FX, Gan LJ, Shi ZQ. In site bioimaging of hydrogen sulfide uncovers its pivotal role in regulating nitric oxide-induced lateral root formation. PLoS ONE. 2014, 9(2): e90340.

17.      Yang ZM*, Chen J*. A potential role of microRNAs in plant response to metal toxicity. Metallomics. 2013, 5:1184-1190.

18.      Chen J, Zhang HQ, Hu LB, Shi ZQ*. Microcystin-LR-induced phytotoxicity in rice crown root is associated with the cross-talk between auxin and nitric oxide. Chemosphere. 2013, 93:283-293.

19.      Chen J, Xu QX, Su Y, Shi ZQ, Han FX*. Phytoremediation of organic polluted soil. Journal of Bioremediation & Biodegradation. 2013, 4: e132.

20.      Chen J, Yang ZM. Mercury toxicity, molecular response and tolerance in higher plants. Biometals. 2012, 25:847-857.

21.      Chen J, Han FX, Wang F, Zhang HQ, Shi ZQ*. Accumulation and phytotoxicity of microcystin-LR in rice (Oryza sativa). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2012, 76:193-199.

22.      Chen J, Zhong YM, Zhang HQ, Shi ZQ. Nitrate reductase-dependent nitric oxide production is involved in microcystin-LR-induced oxidative stress in Brassica rapa. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution. 2012, 223:4141-4152.

23.      Chen J, Hu LB, Zhou W, Yan SH, Yang JD, Xue YF, Shi ZQ*. Degradation of Microcystin-LR and RR by a Stenotrophomonas sp. strain EMS isolated from Lake Taihu, China. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2010, 11: 896-911.

24.      Chen J, Shiyab S, Han FX*, Monts DL, Waggoner CA, Yang ZM, Su Y. Bioaccumulation and physiological effects of mercury in Pteris vittata and Nephrolepis exaltata. Ecotoxicology. 2009, 18:110-121.

Book chapters (*corresponding author)

1.         Chen J, Chen Y, Shi Z-Q, Su Y, Han FX*. Phytoremediation to remove metals/metalloids from soils. In: Ansari AA et al. (Eds.), “Phytoremediation: Management of Environmental Contaminants (Volume 2, chapter 24)”. 2015. Springer International Publishing Switzerland. (ISBN: 978-3-319-10969-5). pp. 297-304.

2.         Chen J, Han FX*, Tchounwou PB. Biogeochemistry in Recycling of Trace Elements and Heavy Metals. In Abhilash (Eds.), “Microbiology for Minerals, Metals, Materials and the Environment (chapter 10)”. 2015. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. (ISBN 9781482257298). pp. 263-280.

3.         Zhang M, Xue Y-F, Li Y-J, Han FX, Xu W-M, Shi Z-Q, Chen J*. The interplay between reactive oxygen species and gaseous messenger molecules in plant response to environmental stresses. In Suzuki M and Yamamoto S (Eds.), “Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS): Formation Mechanisms, Physiological Roles and Common Harmful Effects (chapter 8)”. 2014. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. NY, USA. (ISBN: 978-1-62948-049-7). pp. 265-278.

4.         Chen J, Zhang HQ, Shi ZQ*. Accumulation and Phytotoxicity of Microcystins in Vascular Plants. In: Ferrão-Filho ADS et al. (Eds.), “Cyanobacteria: Ecology, Toxicology and Management (chapter 7)”. 2013. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. NY, USA. (ISBN: 978-1-62618-115-1). pp. 139-152.

5.         Chen J, Shi ZQ, Hu LB, Su Y, Han FX*, Monts DL. Site assessment, long-term monitoring and regulatory concerns for application of phytoremediation technology for remediation of heavy metal/metalloid-contaminated soils. In: Faerber T and Herzog J (Eds.), “Solid Waste Management and Environmental Remediation (chapter 12)”. 2011. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. NY, USA. (ISBN: 978-1-60741-761-3). pp. 407-422.

6.         Chen J, Yang ZM, Su Y, Han FX*, Monts DL. Phytoremediation of Heavy Metal/Metalloid-Contaminated Soils. In: Steinberg RV (Eds.), “Contaminated Soils: Environmental Impact, Disposal and Treatment (chapter 6)”. 2009. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. NY, USA. (ISBN: 978-1-60741-791-0). pp. 181-206.