Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences | China
PUBLICATION PROFILE
🌟 INTRODUCTION
Professor Donghai Mao is a distinguished plant geneticist at the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences. With over a decade of experience in molecular plant biology, his work has primarily focused on understanding and improving the low-temperature tolerance of rice subspecies. Through groundbreaking research on wild and cultivated rice, he has made major strides in helping rice adapt to climate stress, which is crucial for global food security.
🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS
Donghai Mao began his academic path with a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy (2000–2004) from Huazhong Agricultural University, a prestigious institution in China. His academic curiosity and passion for genetics led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Genomics (2005–2010) at the National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, where he specialized in the genetic improvement of crops, laying the foundation for his future contributions in cold-tolerant rice development.
đź’Ľ PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS
Following his doctoral studies, Professor Mao joined the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he progressed through the academic ranks. He served as an Assistant Professor (2010–2012), then Associate Professor (2013–2020), and is currently a Professor (2021–2025). Over the years, he has led numerous research projects, developed experimental breeding programs, and collaborated internationally to further advance crop improvement under stress conditions.
🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS
Professor Mao’s research focuses on two critical areas: the genetic diversity of low temperature tolerance in rice and the molecular mechanisms that allow rice to respond and adapt to cold environments. His team has successfully cloned and analyzed several key genes and QTLs such as HAN1, HAN2, and qCTS11, which regulate chilling resistance at the seedling stage. He has also studied the Dongxiang wild rice, uncovering natural genetic resources crucial for developing climate-resilient rice cultivars.
🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE
The significance of Professor Mao’s work lies in its practical application to agriculture in temperate and cold-prone regions. His discoveries have direct implications for rice breeding and sustainable agriculture, particularly in the face of climate change. He is recognized nationally and internationally for advancing the scientific community’s understanding of abiotic stress tolerance in crops, and his work continues to shape the future of crop adaptation research.
đź“š ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Professor Mao has published extensively in high-impact journals, including:
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Nature Communications (2025) – enhancing rice adaptation via auxin transporter suppression
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Nature Genetics (2023) – increasing grain yield by regulating cytokinin metabolism
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Plant Biotechnology Journal (2022) – discovering the PANDA gene’s role in rice architecture
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PNAS (2019) – identifying HAN1 gene for chilling tolerance and climate adaptation
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Theoretical and Applied Genetics (2015) – exploring cold resistance loci in wild rice
These publications reflect the depth and quality of his research and are frequently cited by other leading scientists.
🏅 HONORS & AWARDS
While the specific honors are not listed, Professor Mao has served as Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects. His leadership on national grants such as:
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Cloning of the Cold-Tolerant Gene HAN2 (2021–2024)
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Functional Analysis of qCTS11 (2014–2017)
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Genetic Analysis of Wild Rice Tolerance (2012–2014)
highlights the trust and recognition he has earned from China’s premier scientific funding agencies.
🧬 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Professor Mao’s work continues to inspire both researchers and plant breeders. His legacy lies in his ability to translate complex genetic discoveries into practical agricultural outcomes. As the climate continues to shift, his research into cold tolerance and stress adaptation will become even more vital. In the future, he is expected to drive innovations in genome-assisted breeding, train new generations of scientists, and contribute to a resilient global food system.
✨ FINAL NOTE
In summary, Professor Donghai Mao is a respected voice in crop genomics and stress physiology. Through his exploration of natural genetic variation and molecular adaptation, he is helping transform the way we understand and cultivate rice. His career is marked not only by scientific excellence but also by his commitment to solving real-world agricultural challenges in the era of climate change.
 📚 TOP NOTES PUBLICATIONS
Title: Overexpression of microRNA319 impacts leaf morphogenesis and leads to enhanced cold tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: C. Yang, D. Li, D. Mao, Xue Liu, C. Ji, X. Li, X. Zhao, Z. Cheng, C. Chen, L. Zhu
Journal: Plant, Cell & Environment
Year: 2013
Title: Natural variation in the HAN1 gene confers chilling tolerance in rice and allowed adaptation to a temperate climate
Authors: D. Mao, Y. Xin, Y. Tan, X. Hu, J. Bai, Z. Liu, Y. Yu, L. Li, C. Peng, T. Fan, Y. Zhu, …
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Year: 2019
Title: Integrated analysis of phenome, genome, and transcriptome of hybrid rice uncovered multiple heterosis-related loci for yield increase
Authors: D. Li, Z. Huang, S. Song, Y. Xin, D. Mao, Q. Lv, M. Zhou, D. Tian, M. Tang, …
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Year: 2016
Title: Colinearity and Similar Expression Pattern of Rice DREB1s Reveal Their Functional Conservation in the Cold-Responsive Pathway
Authors: D. Mao, C. Chen
Journal: PLoS ONE
Year: 2012
Title: Fine mapping SPP1, a QTL controlling the number of spikelets per panicle, to a BAC clone in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: T. Liu, D. Mao, S. Zhang, C. Xu, Y. Xing
Journal: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
Year: 2009