I.Research Group Introduction
The Zhong chiLiu Research Group – “Strawberry Synthetic Biology” Laboratory – is affiliated with both the Facultyof Synthetic Biology and the Institute of Emerging Agricultural Technology at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology (SUAT).Itis equipped with a variety of experimental facilities, including smart greenhouses and vertical farming systems to support innovative research.
The team comprises:
1 Associate Researcher
1 Associate Professor
5 Postdoctoral Fellows
3 Research Assistants
2 Laboratory Technicians
4 Master’s and Ph.D.Students
Our research focuses on three core areas advancing synthetic biology and emergingagriculture:
1.Breeding dwarf, pesticide-free and everbearing strawberry varieties for urban cultivation
2.Light-responsive and AI-enabled cis-regulatory element gene circuits
3.Utilizing plant chassis cells to enhance nutritional value and develop "super fruits" that provide comprehensive nutrition, anti-aging effects and immune-enhancing functions
II.Lab Manager Introduction
Dr. Zhongchi Liu is a Chair Professor at the Faculty of Synthetic Biology at the Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology. Dr. Liu previously held a full professorship at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA, and is an internationally renowned expert in developmental biology, particularly in strawberry molecular genetics and fruit development.
Dr. Liu has established comprehensive tools and omics resources for research on wild strawberries and made foundational contributions to the understanding of strawberry fruit development, fruit type diversity, auxin synthesis and signaling mechanisms in fruit and seed development, and strawberry asexual reproduction. She has published 120 SCI-indexed papers in journals such as Nature, Genes & Development, Nature Communications, Plant Cell, and PNAS. Dr. Liu serves on the editorial boards of prestigious international journals, including The Plant Journal and Frontiers in Plant Science: Plant Evolution and Development.
Research Areas：
1. Molecular Mechanisms of Strawberry Fruit Development and Asexual Reproduction.
2. Applications of Synthetic Biology in Strawberries: Modifying traits such as plant architecture, flowering, and fruit quality for vertical farming and other agricultural applications.
3.Developing plant chassis for efficient production of proteins and small molecules.
III.Why Join us?
Our research group is equipped with world-class experimental facilities, sufficient funding, and an interdisciplinary cooperation network. Boasting a clean and orderly laboratory environment, we offer long-term support for innovative research. We adhere to a "one-on-one" mentorship system, providing hands-on guidance throughout topic selection, experimental design, paper writing, and thesis defense.
We foster an open, inclusive, and supportive team atmosphere that encourages bold experimentation and learning from mistakes. Academic salons are held regularly, offering opportunities for close interaction with leading experts at home and abroad. Our members hail from various regions across China, and we uphold a cultural atmosphere of openness, inclusivity, and joyful scientific inquiry–enriching both academic pursuits and daily life.
Furthermore, we have established joint training and academic exchange mechanisms with top-tier universities and research institutions domestically and internationally, including Sun Yat-sen University and Fudan University. Outstanding members are eligible for recommendations to pursue advanced studies at prestigious institutions.
We welcome students interested in plant biology, bioinformatics, food science, horticulture, artificial intelligence, agricultural engineering, and other related disciplines to join our team.
If you are interested in us, please send relevant documents to luochu@suat-sz.edu.cn
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