An artificially selected Cytokinin-pathway transcription factor balancing soybean yield and pathogen resistance delivered in Elite Forum 2026 (Session 2)

At 13:30 on March 28, 2026, NCU School of Life Sciences successfully convened the second session of the 2026 Elite Forum in Room A429 of the Science and Life Sciences Building, Qianhu Campus. Hosted by Professor Dong Wang, Deputy Dean of the School of Life Sciences, the forum was attended by faculty members specializing in relevant disciplines, alongside representative undergraduate, gradute students. The keynote speaker was Dr. Bo Ren, a Research Fellow at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, who delivered an academic report titled "An Artificially Selected Cytokinin-Pathway Transcription Factor Balances Soybean Yield and Pathogen Resistance."

Dr. Bo Ren has long been engaged in research on biological nitrogen fixation and efficient nitrogen utilization, achieving significant advancements in these fields. Focusing on "Soybean Nodulation and Biological Nitrogen Fixation," his report systematically outlined the domestication history of soybean and its impact on genetic diversity, elucidating the role of artificial selection in the evolution of key genes. He highlighted his team's progress regarding GmGARP1, a transcription factor within the cytokinin signaling pathway. Specifically, the team deciphered its upstream and downstream regulatory networks, identified interacting transcription factors and target genes, and discovered natural copy number variations of ATT insertions within the GmGARP1 promoter region across different haplotypes. This variation was found to be closely associated with yield-related traits, thereby revealing the selection signatures and evolutionary patterns of this gene during soybean domestication and improvement.

Dr. Bo Ren emphasized that uncovering the GmGARP1-mediated coordinated regulatory mechanism between nodulation and pathogen resistance not only clarifies the molecular basis underlying the symbiotic nitrogen fixation and immune balance in legumes but also provides a novel perspective for identifying superior genetic resources that simultaneously enhance yield and resistance. These findings hold substantial theoretical and practical significance. Furthermore, by integrating cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell sequencing and precise genome-editing, he outlined future research directions and development prospects in this field.

Throughout the presentation, Dr. Bo Ren employed vivid language and clear logic, generating widespread interest among the attending faculty and students. During the interactive session, participants actively posed questions concerning gene function validation, the elucidation of regulatory networks, and applications in crop breeding. Dr. Bo Ren provided detailed responses to each inquiry, fostering in-depth academic exchange and cultivating a rich scholarly atmosphere.