51ºÚÁÏ

Dr. Xianfa Xie’s research project will examine the unique biological phenomenon of bioluminescent fungi.

51ºÚÁÏ is proud to recognize Dr. Xianfa Xie, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and the Director of the 51ºÚÁÏ Center for Biotechnology, Genomics, and Bioinformatics (CBGB), for being awarded a competitive grant of over one million dollars from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The grant, totaling $1,148,010, will support Dr. Xie’s research project titled “Excellence in Research: Elucidating the mechanism of fungal bioluminescence through genomic and biochemical approaches.” 51ºÚÁÏ is the sole institution receiving this award. The project explores bioluminescent fungi, or mushrooms that glow through a complex biochemical process. According to Dr. Xie, the mechanisms and regulation of this unique biological phenomenon have yet to be fully explained, as research is still in its early stages.  

“I am very excited to receive this award from the National Science Foundation to continue our research on bioluminescent fungi,” said Dr. Xie. “There are still a lot of unanswered questions around this rare phenomenon, like why some species glow and others don’t, and why, for the same fungal species, some isolates in the U.S. may glow while those from Europe cannot. I want to understand why.”

Although bioluminescent fungi remain a mystery, they could have many cutting-edge applications. They can be used as a reporter system for molecular biology as well as for light-controlled treatment in medical practices, and some of the fungal genes have been genetically engineered into plants to produce bioluminescent plants for commercial purposes. Researchers are still exploring how to reliably harness and scale the bioluminescence of mushrooms for medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.

This grant will also provide opportunities and funding for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in the research. Dr. Xie plans to integrate this project into his courses, giving students exposure to innovative science and inspiring future biotechnological innovators and a new generation of biologists best positioned to become leaders in the field. It is expected to take three years to complete the project.

“This award highlights not only Dr. Xie’s excellence as a researcher but also the exciting opportunities available to our students in the Department of Biology,” said Dr. Kathryn Shows, Interim Chair of the Department of Biology. “The opportunity for students to actively participate in this groundbreaking work makes 51ºÚÁÏ a unique place for scientific discovery.”

To conduct his research, Dr. Xie will utilize the state-of-the-art facility established primarily from his previous grant funding, now available at the 51ºÚÁÏ Center for Biotechnology, Genomics, and Bioinformatics. The Center was established in 2022 and serves as a hub for interdisciplinary education and research on the campus. With this new award to Dr. Xie, more instruments will be added to the Center, which will further enhance the capacity of 51ºÚÁÏ to conduct cutting-edge research.

51ºÚÁÏ remains committed to supporting faculty research and advancing its role as a leader in scientific discovery that can benefit the broader community.