Address	(Office): Rm G81, Science Centre South Block (Lab): Rm G94&G84 Science Centre South Block
Phone	(Office): (852) 3943 6298 (Lab): (852) 3943 1258
Fax	(852) 2603 5745
Email	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web	-

Education

Position

• Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences

Research Interests

• Genomics and bioinformatics
• Systems biology
• Plant stress response
• Plant secondary metabolism and trichome function

Representative Publications

• Qing Zhang, Xiaodan Fan, Yejun Wang, Mingan Sun, Jianlin Shao, Dianjing Guo. BPP: a sequence-based algorithm for branch point prediction. 2017. Bioinformatics. (to appear)
  
• Md. Mehedi Hasan, Mst. Shamima Khatun, Md. Nurul Haque Mollah, Cao Yong, and Guo Dianjing. A systematic identification of species-specific protein succinylation sites using joint element features information. 2017. Journal of Nanomedicine. (to appear)
• Jue WANG, Yejun WANG; Caiji GAO; Liwen JIANG; Dianjing GUO. 2017. Plos One. PPero, a Computational Model for Plant PTS1 Type Peroxisomal Protein Prediction. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0168912
• Ming-an SUN, Yejun WANG, Qing ZHANG, Yiji XIA,Wei GE, and Dianjing GUO. Prediction of reversible disulfide based on features from local structural signatures. BMC Genomics. 2017.18(279). doi:  10.1186/s12864-017-3668-8.
• Han Cheng, Haibin Cai, Haitian Fu, Zewei An, Jialin Fang, Yanshi Hu, Dianjing Guo, Huasun Huang. Functional Characterization of Hevea brasiliensis CRT/DRE Binding Factor 1 Gene Revealed Regulation Potential in the CBF Pathway of Tropical Perennial Tree. Plos One. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0137634
  
• Mingan Sun, Qing Zhang, Yejun Wang, Wei Ge, and Dianjing Guo.Prediction of redox-sensitive cysteines using sequential distance and other sequence-based features. 2016. BMC Bioinformatics. DOI: 10.1186/s12859-016-1185-4.
• Zhang Yan and Dianjing Guo. Comparative Epigenetic Analyses of Acute and Chronic Leukemia. 2015. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 2015, 3, 29-35.
• Chunqiang Li, Jiaofang Shao, Yejun Wang, Wenbin Li, Dianjing Guo, Bin Yan, Yiji Xia and Ming Peng. Analysis of banana transcriptome and global gene expression profiles in banana roots in response to infection by race 1 and tropical race 4 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense.   BMC   Genomics.   2013, 14:851 doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-851Q
• Qing Zhang, X Fan, Y Wang, M Sun, SSM Sun, D Guo. A Model-Based Method for Gene Dependency Measurement. Plos One. 2012, 7(7): e40918. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040918
• M Sun, Y Wang, H Cheng,Q Zhang,W Ge and D Guo. RedoxDB – a curated database for experimentally verified protein oxidative modification. Bioinformatics. 2012,28(19), p2551-2552.
• Y Wang, H Huang, M Sun, Q Zhang and D Guo .T3DB: an integrated database for bacterial type III secretion system. BMC Bioinformatics. 2012, 13:66
• Cheng H, Zhang Q, and Guo D. Genes respond to H2O2 are also evoked under light in Arabidopsis. Molecular Plant. 2012. Advance Access 10.1093/mp/sss108
• Wang Y, Zhang Q, Sun M, Guo D: High-accuracy prediction of bacterial type III secreted (T3S) effectors based on position-specific amino acid composition profiles. Bioinformatics. 2011. 27(6):777-84. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btr021

Research Grants

• 2010-2013, GRF, Probing the molecular function of a bHLH protein in A.annua glandular trichome morphogenesis. HK$1,150,000
• 2009-2012, GRF, Roles of two regulatory proteins in artemisinin metabolism and trichome function. HK$1,460,000
• 2006-2009: An Integrated Functional Genomics Approach towards the Understanding of Artemisinin Metabolism. HK$1,052,500
• 2006-2008: NSFC, Plant osmotic stress-response gene mining and functional analysis. RMB 260,000
• 2007-2009. UGC Area of Excellence Scheme. AoE on Center for Plant and Agricultural Biotechnology-HK$25.0M (as co-I, PI: Prof. Samuel SM Sun)
• 2005-2006: CUHK Direct grant, EST database approach for gene discovery in Artemisia annua glandular trichomes. HK$107,916

Address		(Office): G78B, Science Centre (South), CUHK (Lab): G02/04, Run Run Shaw Science Building, CUHK
Phone		(Office): (852) 3943 6299 (Lab): (852) 3943 1271
Fax		(852) 2603 6382
Email		This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Education

Position

• Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
• Investigator, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, CUHK

Research Interests

• Hormone signal transduction in plants;
• Nitrogen signaling and nitrogen use efficiency;
• Functional genomics of plant stress resistance.

Representative Publications

• Li Q.F., Lu J., Yu J.W., Zhang C.Q., He J.X.*, Liu Q.Q.* (2018) The brassinosteroid-regulated transcription factors BZR1/BES1 function as a coordinator in multisignal-regulated plant growth. Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech.1861: 561-571.
• Kuang J.F., Chen J.Y., Liu X.C., Han Y.C., Xiao Y.Y., Shan W., Tang Y., Wu K.Q., He J.X.*, Lu W.J.* (2017) The transcriptional regulatory network mediated by banana (Musa acuminata) dehydration-responsive element binding (MaDREB) transcription factors in fruit ripening. New Phytol 21: 762-781.
• He J.X.* (2016) Signalling: Ying-yang hormonal crosstalk. Nature Plants 2, Article number: 16023. doi:10.1038/nplants.2016.23.
• Li Q.F., He J.X.* (2016) BZR1 interacts with HY5 to mediate brassinosteroid- and light-regulated cotyledon opening in Arabidopsis in darkness. Mol Plant 9:113–125.
• Zhang Y., Liu Z., Wang J., Chen Y., Bi Y., He J.X.* (2015) Brassinosteroid is required for sugar promotion of hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis in darkness. Planta 242:881-893.
• Wang X., Bian Y., Cheng K., Gu L.F., Ye M.L., Zou H.F., S.S.M. Sun and He J.X.* (2013) A Large-scale protein phosphorylation analysis reveals novel phosphorylation motifs and phosphoregulatory networks in Arabidopsis. J Proteomics 78:486-98.
• Li Q.F., C Wang, L Jiang, S Li, S.S.M Sun*. and J.X. He*. (2012) An interaction between BZR1 and DELLAs mediates direct signaling crosstalk between brassinosteroids and gibberellins in Arabidopsis. Sci Signal 5:ra72. (Summary/Abstract/Reprint/FullText) (Highlight by Nature Reviews)
• Jiang L, Y. Wang, Q.F. Li, L.O. Björn, J.X. He* and S.S. Li*. (2012) Arabidopsis STO/BBX24 negatively regulates UV-B signaling by interacting with COP1 and repressing HY5 transcriptional activity. Cell Res 22:1046-1057. (Evaluated by Faculty 1000)
• Wang X., Y.Y. Bian, K. Cheng, H.F. Zou*, S.S.M Sun* and J.X. He*. (2012) A comprehensive proteomic study of nitrogen deprivation in Arabidopsis reveals complex regulatory network of plant nitrogen responses. J Proteome Res 11:2301-2315.
• Gampala, S.L., Kim, T.W., He, J.X., Tang, W.Q., Bai, M., Guan, S., Sun, Y., Gendron, J.M., Chen, J., Ferl, J., Ehrhardt, D., Chong, K., Burlingame, A.L., and Wang, Z.Y. (2007) An essential role for 14-3-3 proteins in brassinosteroid signal transduction in Arabidopsis. Dev Cell 13, 177–189.
• He, J.X., Gendron, J.M., Sun, Y., Gampala, S.L., Gendron, N., Sun, C.Q., and Wang, Z.Y. (2005) BZR1 is a transcriptional repressor with dual roles in brassinosteroid homeostasis and growth responses. Science 307:1634-1638.
• Wang, Z.Y. and He, J.X. (2004) Brassinosteroid signal transduction – choices of signals and receptors. Trends in Plant Sci 9: 91-96.
• He, J.X., Fujioka, S., Li, T.C., Kang, S.G., Seto, H., Takatsuto, S.,Yoshida, S., and Jang, J.C. (2003) Sterols regulate development and gene expression in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol 131:1258-1269.
• He, J.X., JM Gendron, Y. Yang, J. Li, Z.Y. Wang. (2002) The GSK3-like kinase BIN2 phosphorylates and destabilizes BZR1, a positive regulator of the brassinosteroid signaling pathway in Arabidopsis. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99:10185-90.

Research Grants

• 2018-2021: NSFC-RGC Joint Scheme. Mechanisms by which brassinosteroids regulate plant photomorphorgenesis through GATA and MYB transcription factors. (Project code: N_CUHK452/17), HK$1,250,000. (PI)
• 2017-2025: Hong Kong UGC-AoE Grant, Center for Genomic Studies on Plant-Environment Interaction for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security. (Project code: AoE/M-403/16), HK$75.59 M. (Co-PI)
• 2017-2019: Research Grant Council (RGC) GRF, Functional study of a new MYB-like transcription factor in secondary cell wall formation in Arabidopsis. (Project code: 14148916), HK$1,072,55. (PI)
• 2016-2018: Research Grant Council (RGC) GRF, Characterization and gene functional study of a new albino mutant in Arabidopsis. (Project code: 14121915), HK$1,014,975. (PI)
• 2014-2018: Hong Kong UGC-AoE Grant, Center for Organelle Biogenesis and Function. (Project code:  AoE/M-05/12), HK$47.25 M. (Co-I)
  
• 2013-2015: Research Grant Council (RGC) GRF, Mechanistic studies of brassinosteroid-induced stress resistance in Arabidopsis. HK$1,200,000. (PI)
• 2011-2013: Research Grant Council (RGC) GRF, Identify new regulators of brassinosteroid signaling and plant development through the bzr1-1D suppressor mutant screen in Arabidopsis. HK$1,000,000. (PI)
• 2010-2012: Research Grant Council (RGC) GRF, Identify new downstream signaling components in the brassinosteroid signal transduction pathway in Arabidopsis - Functional characterization of two BZR1 interacting proteins ZIP1 and ZIP2. HK$944,700. (PI)
• 2012-2015: National Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Genomic study of drought tolerance mechanisms in plants. RMB3.0M. (PI)
• 2012-2016: Shenzhen ‘Peacock’ Project, Applied basic researches of plant molecular biotechnologies and their applications in modern agriculture. RMB30.0M. (Co-I, core member)
• 2011-2013: National Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Functions and mechanisms of the Arabidopsis STO gene in plant UV-B signaling. RMB360,000. (Co-I)
• 2009-2010: National Transgenic Project of China, Development of transgenic corn with high nitrogen use efficiency. RMB4.37M. (Sub-project PI)
• 2009-2010: National Transgenic Project of China, Discovery and mechanistic study of genes important for crop yield, nutrition and stress resistance. RMB 2.96M. (Co-I)

Professional Activities

          Editorship:

• Editorial Board Member, Acta Botanica Sinica (2009-).
  
• Editorial Board Member/Reviewing Editor, Frontiers in Plant Science (2015-)
• Editorial Board Member/Reviewing Editor, Scientific Reports (2016-)
• Editorial Board Member/Reviewing Editor, J of Plant Growth Regulation (2016-2017)
• Editorial Board Member/Reviewing Editor, Plant Science (2018-)

          Peer reviewer:

• Nature Communications, Nature Plants, Plant Cell, Plant Physiol, Mol Plant, Mol Cell Proteomics, Scientific Reports, Plant & Cell Environ, J Exp Bot, Frontiers in Plant Sci, Plant Science, J Genetics and Genomics (JGG), Plant Cell Reports, Planta, J Integr Plant Biol, Protoplasma, J Proteome Res, J Proteomics, PloS One, etc.

Address	(Office): Rm E403, Science Centre East Block (Lab): Rm 118, Run Run Shaw Science Building
Phone	(Office): (852) 3943 6346 (Lab): (852) 3943 1349
Fax	(852) 2603 7246
Email	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web	-

Education

Position

•  Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences

Research Interests

• Determining the structure, function, and mechanism of proteins that involve in the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing using a multidisciplinary approach combining X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM with biochemical and biological studies.
• Target-based discovery and development of inhibitors for molecular targets in cancers and neurodegenerative diseases; and investigation of the structures and mechanisms of the inhibitors.

Representative Publications

• Zhang, Q., An, Y., Chen, Z.F.S., Koon, A.C., Lau, K.F., Ngo, J.C.K.*, and Chan, H.Y.E. (2019) A peptidylic inhibitor for neutralizing r(GGGGCC)_exp-associated neurodegeneration in C9ALS-FTD. Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids, 16, 172-185. (*Co-corresponding author)
• Long, Y., Sou, W.H., Yung, K.W.Y., Liu, H., Wan, S.W.C., Li, Q., Zeng, C., Chan, G.H.C., Law, C.O.K., Lau, T.C.K., Ngo, J.C.K. (2018) Distinct mechanisms govern the phosphorylation of different SR splicing factors. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 294(4), 1312-1327.
• Li, W., Tam, K.M.V., Chan, W.W.R., Koon, A.C., Ngo, J.C.K., Chan, H.Y.E., and Lau, K.F. (2018) Neuronal adaptor FE65 stimulates Rac1-mediated neurite outgrowth by recruiting and activating ELMO1. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 293, 7674-7688.
• Hatcher, J.M., Wu, G., Zeng, C., Zhu, J., Meng, F., Patel, S., Wang, W., Ficarro, S.B., Leggett, A.L., Powell, C., Marto, J.A., Zhang, K., Ngo, J.C.K., Fu, X., Zhang, T., and Gray, N. (2018).  SRPKIN-1: A covalent SRPK1/2 inhibitor that potently covers VEGF from pro-angiogenic to anti-angiogenic form. Cell Chemical Biology. 25,460-470.
• Zhang, Q., Chen, Z.S., An, Y., Liu, Hou, Y., Li, W., Lau, K.F., Koon, A., Ngo, J.C.K.*, and Chan, H.Y.E. (2018). A peptidylic inhibitor for neutralizing expanded CAG RNA-induced nucleolar stress in polyglutamine diseases. RNA. 24(4):486-498. (*Co-corresponding author)
• Zhang, Q., Yang, M, Sorensen, K.K., Madsen, C.S., Boesen, J.T., An, Y., Peng, S.H., Wei, Y., Jensen, K.J., Zuo, Z.J., Chan, H.Y.E., and Ngo, J.C.K. (2017)  A brain-targeting lapidated peptide for neutralizing RNA-mediated toxicity in polyglutamine disease. Scientific Reports. 7:12077.
• Lui, M., Lo, C.Y., Wang, G., Chow, H.F., Ngo, J.C.K., Wan, D.C.C., Poon, L.L.M., and Shaw, P.C. (2017). Identification of influenza polymerase inhibitors targeting polymerase PB2 cap-binding domain through virtual screening. Antiviral Research. 144, 186-195.
• Kromann-Hansen, T., Oldenburg, E., Yung, K.W.Y., Ghassabeh, G.H., Muyldermans, S., Declerck, P.J., Huang, M.D., Andreasen, P.A., and Ngo, J.C.K. (2016). A camelid-derived antibody fragment targeting the active site of a serine protease balances between inhibitor and substrate behaviour. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 291, 15156-15168.
• Zhang, Q., Tsoi, H., Peng, S., Li, P.P., Lau, K.F., Rudnicki, D.D., Ngo, J.C.K., Chan, H.Y. (2016) A peptidylic inhibitor-based therapeutic approach that simultaneously suppresses RNA- and protein-mediated toxicities in polyglutamine diseases. Dis. Model Mech., 9,321-334.
• Chow, W.N., Ngo, J.C.K., Li, W., Chen, Y.W., Tam, K.M., Chan, H.Y., Miller, C.C., Lau, K.F. (2015) Phosphorylation of FE65 Ser610 by serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 modulates Alzheimer's disease amyloid precursor protein processing. Biochemical Journal. 470, 303-17.
• Liang, N., Zheng, C., Tao, K.P., Sou, W.H., Hsia, H.P., Qu, D., Lau, S.N., and Ngo, J.C.K. (2014). Primary structural features of SR-like protein AcinusS define the phosphorylation mechanism by SRPK2. Biochemical Journal, 459, 181-191. 
• Zhao, B., Yuan, C., Li, R., Qu, D., Huang, M., and Ngo, J.C.K. (2013) Crystal structures of matriptase in complex with its inhibitor hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 288(16); 11155-11164.
• Yuan, C., Cheng, L., Meehan, E., Daly, N., Craik, D.J., Huang, M., Ngo, J.C.K. (2011) Structure of catalytic domain of Matriptase in complex with Sunflower trypsin inhibitor-1. BMC Structural Biology, 11:30. 
• Ngo, J.C.K., Jiang, L., Lin, Z., Yuan, Cai., Chen, Z., Zhang, X., Yu, H., Wang, J., Lin, L., Huang, M. (2011). Structural basis for therapeutic intervention of uPA/uPAR system. Current Drug Targets,12(12), 1729-43.
• Ngo, J.C.K., Huang, M.D., Roth, D.A., Furie, B.C. and Furie, B. (2008) Crystal structure of human factor VIII: Implications for the formation of the factor IXa:factor VIIIa complex. Structure, 16, 597-606.
• Ngo, J.C.K., Giang, K., Chakrabarti, S.,  Ma, C.T., Huynh, N., Hagopian, J.C., Dorrestein, P.C., Fu, X.D., Adams, J..A. and Ghosh, G. (2008) A sliding docking interaction is essential for sequential and processive phosphorylation of an SR protein by SRPK1. Molecular Cell, 29, 563-576.
• Ngo, J.C.K., Gullingsrud, J., Giang, K., Yeh, M. J., Fu, X.D.,  Adams, J.A., McCammon, J.A. and Ghosh, G. (2007) SR protein kinase 1 is resilient to inactivation. Structure, 15, 123-133.
• Ngo, J.C.K., Chakrabarti, S., Ding J.H., Velazquez-Dones A., Nolen, B., Aubol, B.E., Adams, J.A., Fu, X.D. and Ghosh, G. (2005) Interplay between SRPK and Clk/Sty kinases in phosphorylation of the splicing factor ASF/SF2 is regulated by a docking motif in ASF/SF2. Molecular Cell, 20, 77-89 (Cover). 

Research Grants

• 2017-20 RGC General Research Fund; Investigation of the interaction and phosohorylation mechanisums of Hepatitis B virus core protein by SR protein kinase 2 and the roles of their interaction in HBV replication.
• 2015-17 RGC General Research Fund; Investigation of the different phosphorylation mechanisms of SR proteins by SRPKs.
• 2011-14 RGC General Research Fund; Regulation and phosphorylation of SR proteins by SRPK2.
• 2011-13 Research Fund for the Control of Infectious Diseases; Search of inhibitors that target HIV pre-mRNA splicing to overcome drug resistance
• 2010-12 RGC General Research Fund; Structural and functional studies of SR Protein Kinase 2: A key factor in the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing of cellular and viral proteins.

Address	(Office): Rm G88, Science Centre South Block (Lab): Rm G90, Science Centre South Block
Phone	(Office): (852) 3943 5593 (Lab): (852) 3943 6286
Fax	(852) 2603 6382
Email	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web	-

Education

Position

• Research Professor of Biology, School of Life Sciences
• Professor Emeritus, School of Biological Sciences
• Director, State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology (CUHK)
• Director, Institute of Plant Molecular Biology and Agricultural Biotechnology
• Master, S.H. Ho College

Research Interests

• Plant Molecular biology: plant gene structure, expression and regulation
• Plant and agriculural biotechnology: crop improvement on rice yield and nutritional quality and development of an efficient plant seed bioreactor including downstream purification of recombinant proteins

Representative Publications

• Lam HM, Xu X, Liu X, Chen W, Yang GH, Wong FL, Li MW, He WM, Qin N, Wang B, Li J, Jian M, Wang J, Shao GH, Wang J, Sun SSM, Zhang GY:2010. Resequencing of 31 wild and cultivated soybean genomes identifies patterns of genetic diversity and selection. Nat Genet 2010,42:1053-1059.
• Lau OS, Ng WK, Liu WL, Chang SP, Sun, SSM: Production of the 42-kDa fragment of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1, a leading malaria vaccine antigen, in Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. Plant Biotech J 2010, 8:994-1004
• Lau OS, Sun, SSM: Plant seeds as bioreactors for recombinant protein production. Biotech Advances (Invited Review) 2009, 27:1015-1022.
• Sun SSM: Application of agricultural biotechnology to improve food nutrition and healthcare products (Review Article). Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2008,17(S): 87-90.
• Yuan DY, Duan MJ, Tan YN, Yi ZL, Yuan LP, Sun SSM: Generating marker-free transgenic homozygous rice restorer lines with PEPC and PPDK genes by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using super binary vector. Hybrid Rice 2007, 22:57-63.
• Xiao GY, Yuan LP, Sun SSM: Strategy and utilization of herbicide resistance gene in two-line hybrid rice. Mol Breeding 2007, 20:287-292.
• Duan MJ, Sun SSM: Profiling the expression of genes controlling rice grain quality Plant. Plant Mol Biol 2005, 59:165-178.
• Altenbach SB, Pearson KW, Meeker G, Staracy L, Sun SSM: Enhancement of the methionine content of seed protein by the expression of a chimeric gene encoding a methionine-rich protein in transgenic plants. Plant Mol Biol 1989, 13:513-522.
• Sun SSM: Methionine enhancement in plants.In: Plant Amino Acids: Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Singh BK ed, Marcel Dekker Inc, N.Y. 1999, pp. 509-522.
• Sun SSM, Slightom JS, Hall TC: Intervening sequence in a plant gene: comparison of the partial sequence of cDNA and genomic DNA of French bean phaseolin. Nature 1981, 289:37-41.

Research Grants

• 2007-2011, UGC-AoE, Plant and Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Sun SSM, PI/Director, HK $25,000,000
• 2009-2011, 國家重大轉基因專項 (National Transgenic Project), 作物產量、抗逆和高營養相關功能基因的發掘與機理研究 (Identification and mechanistic study of genes related to crop yield, nutrition and stress tolerance), 人民幣 295萬(RMB 2.95M)
• 2000-2006, UGC-AoE, Plant and Fungal Biotechnology, Sun SSM, PI/Director, HK $38,800,000
• 2006-2011, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Improving rice for high beta-carotene, vitamin E, quality protein and iron and zinc bio-availability, Sun SSM, Consortium member, US $1.0M
• 2005-2008, GRF, The biology of vacuolar sorting receptor proteins and their applications in plant, HK $1,446,675
• 1998-2001. GRF, Engineering in Brazil nut Met-rich protein for reduced allergenic activity, HK$1,211,000
• 1998-2001, ITF, Production of high value pharmaceutical proteins in transgenic seeds, HK $5,292,000
• 1999-2002, RGC Central Allocation, Automated Microbial Identification system, HK $2,980,000,
• 1997-1999, GRF, Genetic engineering of sweet protein mabinlin for increased stability, HK $656,640
• 1996-1998, GRF, Genetic engineering of rapeseed for enhanced nutritional quality, HK $722,000

Patents

Granted:

• Sun SSM and Chen DM: Epitope identification and modification for reduced allergic activity in proteins targeted for transgenic expression (US patent # 7,399,597; Appl # 11/099,856), 2008
• Sun SSM and Liu QQ: Method to produce desired proteins in plants.” (US patent # 7,425,667), 2008
• Sun SSM, Lam HM and Fung MC: Transgenic plant product comprising human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and method for preparing the same (HK patent # 1071908), 2007
• Sun SSM, Lam H.M and Fung MC: Transgenic plant product comprising human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and method for preparing the same (Chinese patent # 200410037474.X), 2007

Pending:

• Sun SSM and Tian L: A cost-effective method for expression and purification of recombinant proteins in plants (US patent # 61/425,703), filed 2010
• Sun SSM and Liu QQ: Method to produce desired proteins in plants (HK patent # 09102272.6), filed 2009
• Sun SSM and Liu QQ: Method to produce desired proteins in plants (Chinese patent # 200680041156.8), filed 2006
• Sun SSM, Lam HM and Fung MC: Transgenic plant product comprising human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and method for preparing the same (US patent# 10/611,226), filed 2003

 Awards

• Member, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 2003
• Member, the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, 2008
• Leader of the Year 2005 (Education/Research), Hong Kong, 2005
• Distinguished Alumnus Award of Science Faculty at the University of Hong Kong, 2009
• Honorary Fellow of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010.
• Friendship Medal: Awarded by the State Government of China to experts making outstanding contributions to the modernization of China, 1996
• Greatwall Friendship Award: Awarded by the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, for contribution to Beijing’s construction and friendly cooperation in science and technology, 2000
• Science and Technology Award, 2nd Class, by the People’s Government, Zhejiang Province, China, for development and application of a high efficient, safe, and large scale rice transformation platform, 2007.
• ARCO Distinguished Research Award, 1984

Professional Activities

• Member, University Grants Council, Hong Kong SAR, 2007-2010
• Member, Academic Council on Biotechnology, National Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University, China, 1990-present
• Member, Academic Committee, National Key Lab on Rice Biology, China Rice Research Institute and Zhejiang University, China, 2005 - 2010
• Member, Advisory Committee, Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taiwan, 2001-2007
• Professor/Honorary/Adjunct/Visiting Professor at: Tsinghua University, 2004-present, China Agricultural University, 1989-present; Nankai University, 1999-present; University of Science and Technology of China, 1999-present; Wuhan University, 1999-present; Huazhong Agricultural University, 2002-present; Zhejiang University, 2003-present; Yangzhou University, 2004-presen; Northwestern Agricultural University, 1997-present; Tianjin University of Science and Technology, 2009-present; Ocean University of Zhanjiang, China, 2001-present
• Board of Editors, Acta Agronomica Sinica, China, 2002-present
• Editorial Board, Tropical Plant Biology, 2007-present
• Editorial Board, Science and Technology in China, 2004-2007
• Biology and Medicine Panel, Research Grants Council, Hong Kong, 1996-2001
• Member, Innovation and Technology Fund (Biotechnology Projects) Vetting Committee, Hong Kong, 2000
• Convenor, Coordination Committee of the 3rd (2001) and 6th (2007), and member of Organization Committee (since 1999), Cross-Strait Symposium on Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong