Dongxue Li

Biography

Dongxue Li received her Bachelor degree in Agronomy in 1987 from Shandong Agricultural University, China. In 1997, she arrived in Australia and embarked in her research career at University of Queensland (UQ) in 2001. She was awarded her Master Degree in the area of plant genetics from UQ in 2008. Acting as a Horticultural Engineer, she worked for the Forestry Bureau of Yanggu County, Shandong Province during 1987-1990 and Jinan Landscaping Engineering Company during 1991 to 1997. She has worked in Prof. Peter Gresshoff's lab since 2001, and she enjoys being part of ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Legume Research. Key Duties Analysing long-distance regulation of nodulation in soybean using site-directed mutagenesis and reverse genetics. This involves: Generate various point mutations on key amino acids of CLE domain and variable domain of GmRIC1 gene using PCR-induced site-directed mutagenesis. Evaluate the function of these key amino acids of GmRIC1 by ectopic over-expression of GmRIC1 mutants in soybean transgenic roots. Maintaining and expanding a collection of cDNA from various soybean tissues to provide a uniform starting material for a large range of gene expression projects. Investigating tissue-specific expression of the nodulation-related genes. Providing technical support to research staff and students in the CILR laboratory when needed. This includes soybean hair root transformations, RT-PCR set up and analysis, cDNA synthesis, bacterial cultivation and horticultural procedures such as plant grafting and cutting. Skills Site-directed mutagenesis using PCR DNA cloning Microbial culture Plant transformation using Agrobacterium Plant tissue culture and maintenance cDNA synthesis and Real-Time PCR DNA and RNA preparation and quantification Plant grafting and cuttings Plant cultivation

Research Interest

Molecular and Cell Biology