Shuting Ding

About Me

I am a plant biologist specializing in tomato plant signaling and physiology. My research explores how small peptide signals and Nitrogen nutrition regulate growth and stress adaptation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Currently, I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at Zhejiang University and Visiting Scholar at the University of Michigan in Dr. George Zhang’s lab, where I investigate the molecular mechanisms by which tomatoes sense and respond to environmental stresses. My work aims to translate fundamental discoveries in plant peptide signaling and genetics evolution into strategies for improving crop resilience and productivity.

Research

Peptide Signaling

I study how small signaling peptides (such as phytosulfokine and systemin) act as messengers in tomato plants. These peptides are recognized by specific receptors (like PSKR1) to trigger downstream responses. My research has revealed that peptide hormones can optimize plant growth and activate defense pathways against pathogens by modulating cellular activities and gene expression.

Stress Physiology

Understanding how tomatoes cope with environmental stresses is a central theme of my work. I examine tomato responses to drought, high temperature, and pathogens at both physiological and molecular levels. By analyzing stress-responsive mutants and performing multi-omics studies, I aim to uncover how signaling components (peptides, G-proteins, hormones) help reprogram tomato physiology to survive adverse conditions.

Metabolic Rewiring

Stress and signaling often lead to changes in plant metabolism. I investigate how tomato plants rewire their metabolism under stress, such as accumulating defensive compounds (e.g., phenolamides) or altering primary metabolic pathways. This research helps identify metabolic markers of stress resilience and how manipulating signaling pathways can enhance those protective metabolic responses.

CRISPR-Based Breeding

I am also interested in applying CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to tomato improvement. By precisely targeting genes involved in peptide and G-protein signaling, I work on creating tomato lines with enhanced stress tolerance and growth traits. This precision-breeding approach accelerates the development of tomato varieties better equipped to handle biotic and abiotic challenges.

News

[April 2025] Co-authoring a comprehensive review on sulfated peptide signals in plant immunity, to be submitted to a high-impact journal.
[March 2025] Our latest research on tomato G-protein signaling and stress tolerance was published in The Plant Cell.
[October 2024] Joined the University of Michigan as a visiting scholar in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.
[August 2024] Presented findings on tomato peptide signaling at an international plant biology conference.

Selected Publications

A novel LRR receptor-like kinase BRAK reciprocally phosphorylates PSKR1 to enhance growth and defense in tomato

The EMBO Journal, 2024. S Ding, S Feng, et al.

BRAK phosphorylates PSKR1 to activate peptide signaling.
Enhances both defense and growth under biotic stress.
Provides a new target for engineering robust tomato cultivars.

Glucose-G protein signaling plays a crucial role in tomato resilience to high temperature and elevated CO₂

Plant Physiology, 2024. J Wang, Q Luo, S Ding, et al.

G protein β subunit mediates sugar signaling under heat stress.
Promotes CO₂-use efficiency and growth stability.
Reveals synergy between sugar sensing and stress pathways.

Phytosulfokine peptide optimizes plant growth and defense via glutamine synthetase GS2 phosphorylation in tomato

The EMBO Journal, 2023. S Ding, J Lv, et al.

PSK boosts GS2 activity through phosphorylation.
Integrates nutrient status with immune signaling.
Mechanistic link between metabolism and defense.

For the full list of publications, visit my Google Scholar.

Blog & Reflections

[2025-04] Peptide Signals: Tiny Messengers in Tomato Defense. – Discussing how small peptides help tomato plants fight off diseases and pests.
[2025-01] Adapting Tomatoes to Climate Stress: A Research Journey. – Reflections on developing heat- and drought-tolerant tomato varieties in the lab and field.
[2024-09] From Lab Bench to Greenhouse: Life of a Tomato Scientist. – A personal take on balancing laboratory experiments and fieldwork in tomato research.