National Center for Design of
Biomimetic Nanoconductors
Xinguang Zhu
Contact:
Xinguang Zhu is a research scientist in Plant Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research interests compatible with the Center include mathematical modeling of photosynthesis with the potential to integrate genomic, microarray, proteomic, and metabolomic data as well as biophysical and physiological measurements.
Research
Xinguang Zhu’s research focuses on mathematical modeling of cellular metabolism with emphasis on one of the most important biophysical and biochemical process, photosynthesis and exploring ways to improving photosynthetic efficiency. He has successfully simulated the light energy absorption, light energy transfer and electron transfer in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplast. He has also successfully simulated the photosynthetic carbon metabolism in chloroplast. Currently, his research focuses on designing a three dimensional cellular metabolism model to simulate the movements of stomata aperture under dynamic intercellular, intracellular and external environments. In addition to exploring the potential for engineering existing natural photosynthesis system, his research also explores feasibility and approaches of artificial photosynthesis and potentials of using different proton and ion transporter proteins for artificial device designs. Zhu’s expertise in systems modeling will make him a valuable participant in the Center.
Related Publications
Zhu X-G, Portis AR and Long SP. Would transformation of C3 crop plants with foreign Rubisco increase productivity? A computational analysis extrapolating from kinetic properties to canopy photosynthesis (2004) Plant Cell and Environment 27, 155-165.
Rogers A., Allen D., Davey P.A., Morgan P.B., Ainsworth E.A., Bernacchi C.J., Dermody O.C., Heaton E.A., Mahoney J., Zhu X-G, DeLucia E.H., Ort D.R., and Long S.P. (2004) Leaf photosynthesis and carbohydrate dynamics of soybean grown throughout their life-cycle under Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment, Plant Cell & Environment 27: 449-458.
Zhu X-G, Whitmarsh J, Ort DR and Long SP (2004). Study of the effects of photoinhibition on dynamics of carbon uptake using reverse ray-tracing algorithm. Journal of Experimental Botany 55: 1167-1175.
Ainsworth EA, Davey PA, Bernacchi CJ, Dermody OC, Heaton EA, Moore DJ, Morgan PB, Naidu SL, Yoo H, Zhu X-G, Curtis PS and Long SP (2002) A meta-analysis of elevated [CO2] effects on soybean (Glycine max) physiology, growth and yield. Global Change Biology 8: 695-709.
Wang Q, Zhang QD, Zhu X-G, Lu CM, Kuang TY, Li CQ (2002) PSII photochemistry and xanthophyll cycle in two super high yield rice hybrids, Liangyoupeijiu and Hua-an 3 during photoinhibition and subsequent restoration. Acta Botanica Sinica 44 : 1297-1302.
Long SP, Ainsworth EA, Bernacchi CJ, Heaton EA, Morgan PB, Naidu SL, Ort DR, Zhu X-G (2002) The central role of plant biology, from molecular to ecophysiological research, in understanding and adapting to global atmospheric change. Proceedings of the American Society of Plant Biologist.
Zhu X-G, Zhang QD, Wang Q, Lu CM (2001) The response of photosynthetic function of winter wheat to salt stress. Acta Botanica Sinica 43: 1250-1254.
Long SP, Ainsworth EA, Bernacchi CJ, Davey PA, Naidu SL, Zhu X-G (2001) Photosynthetic dimensions of global change. Proceedings of the 12th international congress on photosynthesis. Brisbane, Australia.
Zhu X-G, Zhang QD, Kuang TY (1999) Effects of NaCl Stress on light utilization and dissipation of PSII. Acta Biophysica Sinica 15: 787-791.
Zhang QD, Zhu X-G, Lu CM, Feng LJ, Kuang TY, Zhang JH (1998) Effects of doubled CO2 concentration on light absorption and excitation energy distribution between PSII and PSI in chloroplasts of winter wheat under salt stress. Acta Biophysica Sinica 14 : 537-542.