Trailblazing Contributions

Professor Ming-Tsair Chan's contributions to the field of plant genetic modification are nothing short of revolutionary. As a leading figure at the Agriculture Biotechnology Research Center of Academia Sinica and the director of Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan, Professor Chan's pioneering work has significantly advanced our understanding of plant genetics. His landmark achievement in using Agrobacterium to transform foreign genes into rice—a monocotyledonous plant—broke new ground. Prior to his discovery, the consensus was that Agrobacterium could only facilitate gene transformation in dicotyledonous plants. This breakthrough not only expanded the possibilities for genetic modification in a broader range of plants but also opened up new avenues for agricultural innovation and sustainability.

Academic and Research Affiliations

Professor Ming-Tsair Chan holds illustrious positions across several prestigious institutions, illustrating his wide-reaching influence in the realm of plant science. An Adjunct Professor at the Department of Life Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, Institute of Tropical Plant Sciences, and Microbiology, as well as at the NCKU-AS Graduate Program in Translational Agricultural Sciences, National Cheng-Kung University, his contributions extend beyond laboratory research. He also served at the Institute of Plant Biology, National Taiwan University, solidifying his status as a vital contributor to Taiwan's scientific community. His role extends further as a research Fellow at Academia Sinica's Agriculture Biotechnology Research Center and as the director of its Biotechnology Center in Southern Taiwan. These affiliations underscore his dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists and to fostering an environment of innovation and discovery in plant genetics.

Professor Ming-Tsair Chan stands as a prominent figure in the world of agricultural biotechnology as a Research Fellow at the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica. Nestled in the AS-BCST, with his office in Room 229 and his lab just a step away in Room 230, he embodies a bridge between innovative research and practical agricultural applications. Since earning his Ph.D. in 1992, he has passionately contributed to plant biotechnology, focusing significantly on enhancing plant resistance against pathogens and boosting growth. This endeavour is particularly pivotal for the thriving orchid industry in Taiwan, which navigates through the hurdles of pathogen infestations in greenhouse cultivation—a situation that compromises both yield and quality.

Professor Chan’s methodology proposes sophisticated and effective systems to mitigate these challenges, thereby uplifting the economic framework within the agricultural sector. His scholarly presence is robust on academic platforms like Google Scholar and ResearchGate, showcasing his fervent engagement with the research community. With over 6,174 citations and 128 publications attributed to his name, his endeavoured impact on agricultural biotechnology reverberates far and wide. Beyond the theoretical, Professor Chan's work is grounded in improving plant root metabolism and advancing the use of hairy root systems. These undertakings aim to deepen our understanding and manipulation of plant growth processes, solidifying his role as a linchpin in both the scientific and practical realms of agriculture.

Professor Ming-Tsair Chan’s current research endeavors span across several state-of-the-art fields, including plant stress signal transduction and gene regulation, functional genomics, as well as communication through volatile organic compounds (VOCs) between plants and environmental microorganisms. These areas of research not only deepen our understanding of how plants respond to environmental stresses but also explore the interactions between plants and the surrounding microbial communities. This has significant implications for enhancing crop resilience, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and understanding ecological balance. In functional genomics, Professor Chan’s work aims to unravel the functions of plant genes, paving the way for modifying plant traits to address climate change challenges and improve agricultural productivity. Through innovative approaches, his research is setting the foundation for future advancements in plant science and agricultural biotechnology.