Peng Zhou

Peng Zhou

Center for Crop Advanced Interdisciplinary Technology

Institute of Crop Sciences

No.12 Zhongguancun South Street

Beijing, 100081, China

Tel:86-10-82105861

Email: pzhou@caas.cn

Educations

l  2009/09 ~ 2015/06: PhD in Plant Pathology and Bioinformatics, Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

l  2007/09 ~ 2009/06: MS in Forensic Science, Dept. of Forensic Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University

l  2003/09 ~ 2007/06: BS in Biological Engineering and Computer Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University

Working Experience

l  2021/04 ~ now, Professor, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

l  2017/07 ~ 2021/01, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

l  2016/07 ~ 2017/06, Agro-informatics Analyst, Minnesota Supercomputing Institute

l  2015/07 ~ 2016/06, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

l  2009/09 ~ 2015/06, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Research Interests

l  The central research question is: How is gene expression regulated, and how does it influence crop phenotypes? We employ an integrated approach combining traditional genetics, comparative genomics, and multi-omics data mining to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression during crop growth, development, and under stress conditions. This work aims to identify key cis-regulatory elements and trans-acting factors for crop improvement. Furthermore, the research group utilizes big data analytics and multi-omics integration to construct plant gene regulatory networks and trains machine learning models to predict spatiotemporal gene expression patterns, enabling precision breeding and design in crops. Research directions include:

l  Big Data Mining for Identifying Functional Regulatory Elements in Crops

l  Multi-Omics Integration for Constructing Crop Gene Regulatory Networks

l  Machine Learning Modeling of Gene Expression, and Precision Editing/Design of Functional Regulatory Elements

l  Multi-Omics Analysis of the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Heterosis (Hybrid Vigor) and Polyploidy Advantage in Crops

Academic Qualifications

l  Reviewer for Plant Biotechnology Journal, Plant Physiology, Crop Journal, and Frontiers in Plant Science

Selected Publications (*corresponding authors)

l  Li W, Liang H, Sun J, Zhang X, He Q, Zhou P*, and Huo D*. 2025. A near Telomere-to-telomere Genome Assembly and Graph-based Pangenome of Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum Tataricum). Plant Biotechnology Journal, no. pbi.70333 (August). https://doi.org/10.1111/pbi.70333

l  Li Z, Zhu Z, Qian K, Tang B, Han B, Zhong Z, Fu T, Zhou P*, Stukenbrock EH, Martin FM*, Yuan Z*. Intraspecific diploidization of a halophyte root fungus drives heterosis. Nat Commun. 2024:15(1):5872

l  Deng Y#, Zhou P#, Li F#, Wang J#, Xie K, Liang H, Wang C, Liu B, Zhu Z, Zhou W, et al. A complete assembly of the sorghum BTx623 reference genome. Plant Commun. 2024:5(6):100977.

l  Guan J, Wang Z, Liu S, Kong X, Wang F, Sun G, Geng S, Mao L*, Zhou P*, Li A*. Transcriptome Analysis of Developing Wheat Grains at Rapid Expanding Phase Reveals Dynamic Gene Expression Patterns. Biology 11, 281 (2022)

l  Zhou P, et al. Prediction of conserved and variable heat and cold stress response in maize using cis-regulatory information. Plant Cell 34, 514–534 (2022)

l  Zhou P, et al. Meta Gene Regulatory Networks in Maize Highlight Functionally Relevant Regulatory Interactions. Plant Cell 32, 1377–1396 (2020)

l  Zhou P, Hirsch CN, Briggs SP & Springer NM. Dynamic Patterns of Gene Expression Additivity and Regulatory Variation throughout Maize Development. Molecular Plant 12, 410–425 (2019)

l  Zhou P, et al. Exploring structural variation and gene family architecture with De Novo assemblies of 15 Medicago genomes. BMC Genomics 18, 261 (2017)

l  Moll KM#, Zhou P#, et al. Strategies for optimizing BioNano and Dovetail explored through a second reference quality assembly for the legume model, Medicago truncatula. BMC Genomics 18, 578 (2017)

l  Zhou P, et al. Detecting small plant peptides using SPADA (Small Peptide Alignment Discovery Application). BMC Bioinformatics 14, 335 (2013)