Personal Information
Dr. Aziz Ul Ikram
Associate Professor | International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, China
Email: azizikram.qau@gmail.com | Tel: +86 18852802970
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=CmcTfIQAAAAJ&hl=en
Professional Summary
Molecular biologist specializing in plant genomics, gene editing, and stress biology. My research explores molecular mechanisms of plant–microbe interactions and crop resilience. Published in top-tier journals such as Trends in Plant Science, Advanced Science, and Plant Physiology. Currently serving as Associate Professor and Principal Investigator at Jiangsu University, China.
Research Interests
Molecular mechanisms of plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses, focusing on CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing, chromatin remodeling, and biofortification strategies to enhance crop yield and resilience.
Education
Ph.D. Plant Biology, University of Science & Technology of China (2016–2021)
Thesis: SWR1 Complex is Involved in Rice Height and Tiller Number
M.Phil. Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan (2012–2014)
Thesis: DNA Barcoding of Family Apiaceae Using Conserved Gene Sequences
B.S. Biotechnology, Gomal University, Pakistan (2007–2011)
Gold Medalist – CGPA 4.0/4.0
Work Experience
• Associate Professor, Jiangsu University, China (Apr 2025 – Present)
• Postdoctoral Researcher, Jiangsu University, China (Feb 2023 – Mar 2025)
• Scientific Officer, Qarshi Research International, Pakistan (Jul 2014 – Jul 2016)
Technical Skills
• Gene cloning, PCR, electrophoresis, protein purification, Western blotting
• CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing (Rice, Wheat, Maize, Arabidopsis)
• Plant transformation (Agrobacterium, protoplast, tobacco infiltration)
• Protein–protein and protein–DNA interaction assays (Co-IP, Y2H, EMSA, ITC)
• RNA extraction, qPCR, gene expression analysis
• Phylogenetic analysis and database searches (NCBI, TAIR, RAP-DB, RGAP)
• Scientific writing, grant proposal, and report preparation
Publications
A selection of peer-reviewed publications:
Jing Y., Wang X., Yang J., Wang Y., Xin K., Zhang Y., Li G., Zheng X., Fu Z.Q., Wang B., Sun L., Liu S., Ikram A.U.*, Chen J.* (2025) Plant Elicitor Peptide 2 Regulates Root Hair Growth in an Auxin-Dependent Pathway. Annal of Botany. 2025 Nov 14: mcaf297. PMID: 41234122. (IF 4.1/Q1), (Co-corresponding author).
Ikram, A.U., Khan, M.S.S., Islam F., Ahmed, S., Ling, T., Feng F., Sun, Z., Chen, H., and Chen, J. (2024). All roads lead to Rome: Pathways to engineering disease resistance in plants. Advanced Science. (IF 14.3, Q1).
• Ikram, A. U., Chen H., and Chen J. (2024). H2O2 sulfenylates CHE to activate systemic acquired resistance. Trends in Plant Science. (IF 17.3, Q1).
• Ikram, A. U., Jing Y., Chen H., and Chen J. (2024). Two paths, one goal: Mechanism of calcium homeostasis to balance plant growth and immunity. Science China Life Sciences. (IF 8.0, Q1).
• Ikram, A. U., Jing Y., Chen H., and Chen J. (2023). Bacteria deploy water channels to aid infection in plants. Trends in Plant Science. 29(6):620–622. (IF 17.3, Q1).
• Ikram A.U., Zhang F, Xu Z, Li E, Xue G, Wang S, Zhang C, Yang Y, Su Y, Ding Y. (2022). Chromatin remolding factors OsYAF9 and OsSWC4 interact to promote internode elongation in rice. Plant Physiology. (IF 6.5, Q1).
• Ikram, A.U., Ding, Y., & Su, Y. (2021). OsARP6 Is Involved in Internode Elongation by Regulating Cell-Cycle-Related Genes. Biomolecules. (IF 4.8, Q2).
• Xin, K., Wu, Y., Ikram, A. U., Jin, Y., Liu, S., Zhang, Y., & Chen, J. (2024). Salicylic acid cooperates with different small molecules to control biotic and abiotic stress responses. Journal of Plant Physiology. (IF 4.1, Q1). (Co-first author).
• Cao, Y., Ikram, A. U., Chen, J., Sun, Z., & Chen, J. (2023). The marksman: Bioactivated nematicides selectively kill plant‐parasitic nematodes. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. (IF 9.3, Q1). (Co-first author).
• Khan, M.S.S., Ahmed, S., Ikram, A. U., Hannan, F., Yasin, M.U., Wang, J., & Chen, J. (2023). Phytomelatonin: A key regulator of redox and phytohormones signaling against biotic/abiotic stresses. Redox Biology. (IF 10.7, Q1). (Co-first author).
• Islam, F., Khan, M.S.S., Ahmed, S., Ikram, A. U., Hannan, F., Jan, M., & Chen, J. (2024). Transcriptomic reprogramming of rice cultivars in response to herbicide, salt and their combined stresses. Plant Stress. (IF 6.8, Q1).
• Islam, F., Khan, M.S.S., Ahmed, S., Ikram, A. U., Hannan, F., Jan, M., & Chen, J. (2024). Dynamic interplay of silica-coated iron oxide nanocomposite on soil-plant system to mitigate Cd toxicity in rice. Journal of Cleaner Production. (IF 9.7, Q1).
• Ahmed, S., Khan, M.S.S., Xue, S., Islam, F., Ikram, A. U., Abdullah, M., & Chen, J. (2024). A comprehensive overview of omics-based approaches to enhance biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in sweet potato. Horticulture Research. (IF 7.6, Q1).
• Wang, S., Zhang, F., Jiang, P., Zhang, H., Zheng, H., Chen, R., Xu, Z., Ikram, A. U., Li, E., Xu, Z., Fan, J., Su, Y., & Ding, Y. (2021). SDG128 is involved in maize leaf inclination. Plant Journal. (IF 6.2, Q1).
• Jiang, P., Wang, S., Ikram, A.U., Xu, Z., Jiang, H., Cheng, B., & Ding, Y. (2018). SDG721 and SDG705 are required for rice growth. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. (IF 9.3, Q1).
Research Funding (as Principal Investigator)
• National Natural Science Foundation of China (RFIS-1), Grant No. W2433065, 400,000 RMB (2025–2026)
• Jiangsu Excellent Postdoctoral Award 2023, Grant No. 2023ZB863, 300,000 RMB (2023–2025)
Awards & Distinctions
• CAS/TWAS President Fellowship for Ph.D. (2016–2020)
• Gold Medalist – BS Biotechnology, Gomal University (2012)
Languages
English, Chinese, Urdu, Pashto
References
Prof. Yong Ding, Ph.D.
School of Biological Sciences, USTC, China
Email: dingyong@ustc.edu.cn
Prof. Zabta K. Shinwari, Ph.D.
Vice-Chancellor, Federal Urdu University, Pakistan
Email: shinwari2008@gmail.com
Prof. Jian Chen, Ph.D.
International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, China
Email: jianchen@ujs.edu.cn
Additional profiles
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4305-3623
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aziz-Ikram-5
