The center’s missions are: 1) to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the signaling transduction of crops in response to the abiotic stresses such as cold and heavy metal; and 2) to develop climate-resilient rice and maize varieties for being cultivated in subtropical areas of China.

Research program I: molecular genetics of crops

The main mission of this program is to identify the genetic factors and to elucidate the related signaling cascade that control the heavy metal accumulation and abiotic stress tolerance in rice and maize.

Association mapping of grain-Cd concentration in rice	The haplotypes and evolutionary analysis ofHAN1

Research program II: molecular breeding of rice and maize

This program emphasizes application-oriented research, the goal is to develop rice and maize varieties with improved stress tolerance by genetic transformation and maker-assistant selection.

Rational design of high-yield and multiple stresses resistant rice	Lepidopteran resistance rice
Selection of low-Cd maize	Herbicide resistance rice