Prof. Anming Meng | Developmental Cell Biology | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Anming Meng  , School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University , China

Anming Meng (孟安明), born on July 22, 1963, in Dazhu County, Sichuan, China, is a renowned developmental biologist. With a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Southwest Agricultural University in 1983, he began his career in rice breeding before shifting focus to genetics. He earned his Ph.D. in 1991 from the University of Nottingham, UK. Meng’s groundbreaking research in zebrafish embryogenesis, initiated in 1996, led to significant advancements in developmental biology. A full professor at Tsinghua University since 1998, he has contributed immensely to understanding gene regulation, cell fate, and patterning in vertebrate embryos. Meng is a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and TWAS, serving on various editorial boards and scientific societies. His influence is widespread, with many of his former trainees holding prominent positions in research institutions worldwide.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

Strengths for the Award:

1. Pioneering Research Contributions:

   • Anming Meng is a trailblazer in the field of developmental biology, particularly with his work on zebrafish embryogenesis. He has made groundbreaking discoveries, such as the identification of region-specific expression genes in zebrafish embryos and the functional roles of signaling pathways in early vertebrate development.
   • His discovery of the role of Huluwa in activating β-catenin signaling for embryonic organizer and body axis formation resolved a long-standing question in the field of developmental biology. This work has had a significant impact on our understanding of embryonic development in vertebrates.

2. Innovative Use of Model Systems:

   • Dr. Meng’s lab was the first to establish a zebrafish lab in China, making significant contributions to the understanding of gene regulation, cell fate determination, and the mechanisms driving early embryonic development. His use of zebrafish as a model system to study these processes has been highly influential.

3. Consistent Leadership in Research and Mentorship:

   • As a mentor, he has trained many successful researchers who now hold prominent academic and research positions worldwide. His commitment to fostering future scientific leaders is commendable, and his students have contributed significantly to developmental biology and related fields.

4. High Impact Publications and Academic Service:

   • Dr. Meng has published numerous high-impact articles in prestigious journals, contributing to advancements in our understanding of developmental biology. Furthermore, he has played an active role in editorial boards and advisory positions, demonstrating leadership in the scientific community.
   • His role in academic societies, such as his presidency of the China Zoological Society and his contributions to the Genetics Society of China, further demonstrates his influence and commitment to advancing science in China and globally.

5. Awards and Recognition:

   • Dr. Meng has received several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Young Scholar Award from the Hong Kong Qiu Shi Science & Technologies Foundation and the Lifetime Accomplishment Award in Zebrafish Research. These accolades underscore the widespread recognition of his contributions to the field of developmental biology.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Collaborative Interdisciplinary Research:

   • While Anming Meng’s work is exceptional in the domain of developmental biology, there could be more collaborative efforts with researchers from other disciplines like bioinformatics, computational biology, and material science. This could accelerate the integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as AI and CRISPR/Cas9, into his research and broaden the scope of his investigations into complex biological systems.

2. Expanding Global Research Impact:

   • While his lab has made significant strides in the field, increasing the global outreach of his work could further elevate his contributions. This could involve more international collaborations, especially in regions where zebrafish research is in the earlier stages, as well as increasing visibility at global conferences and through open-access publications.

3. Public Engagement and Science Communication:

   • As a leader in the field, Anming Meng could expand his impact by focusing more on science communication to a broader audience. Engaging with the public through outreach programs, online platforms, or educational content could help translate complex research into more accessible knowledge for society at large.

Education:

Anming Meng completed his undergraduate studies in 1983 at Southwest Agricultural University (now part of Southwest University), where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy. His initial research focused on rice breeding. In 1987, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Nottingham, UK, under Dr. David T. Parkin, concentrating on genetic variation in wild birds using DNA fingerprinting. He earned his Ph.D. in 1991. Following this, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Beijing Agricultural University (now China Agricultural University), specializing in DNA fingerprinting of farm animals. Meng continued his academic journey in the U.S. as a visiting scholar at the Medical College of Georgia in 1996, working on zebrafish embryonic development in Dr. Shuo Lin’s lab. In 1998, he joined Tsinghua University as a full professor and later became a prominent figure in Chinese developmental biology.

Experience:

Anming Meng has an extensive career in both research and academia. He began as a research assistant at the National Rice Research Institute of China, before pursuing graduate studies in the UK under Dr. David T. Parkin. After earning his Ph.D. in 1991, he joined Beijing Agricultural University as a postdoctoral researcher, where he worked on DNA fingerprinting of farm animals. Meng’s pivotal shift toward zebrafish embryogenesis began in 1996 when he joined Dr. Shuo Lin’s lab at the Medical College of Georgia, USA, as a visiting scholar. In 1998, he was recruited as a full professor at Tsinghua University, where he established the first zebrafish lab in China. Over the years, Meng has led research on vertebrate embryonic development, with notable work on gene regulation and signaling pathways. He has mentored numerous successful graduates who have taken leading positions in research institutions across the globe.

Awards and Honors:

Anming Meng has received numerous prestigious awards and honors for his contributions to developmental biology. In 2000, he was named an Outstanding Young Scholar by the Hong Kong Qiu Shi Science & Technologies Foundation and received the Teaching and Research Award for University Outstanding Young Teachers from the Ministry of Education of China. Meng also won the China National Funds for Distinguished Young Scholars in 2000. He was awarded the Cheung Kong Scholar title by the Ministry of Education of China and Li Ka Shing Foundation in 2001. In 2007, he received the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Prize for Science and Technology Advancement. Later awards include the Tan Jia Zhen Achievement Award in Life Sciences in 2012, the Outstanding Accomplishment Award from the Chinese Society of Cell Biology in 2020, and the Lifetime Accomplishment Award in Zebrafish Research in 2023, recognizing his remarkable impact on the field.

Research Focus:

Anming Meng’s research primarily focuses on developmental biology, with a special emphasis on zebrafish embryogenesis. His work has explored the molecular mechanisms regulating cell fate and early vertebrate patterning. Notably, he and his team have made groundbreaking discoveries in gene regulation, identifying essential signaling pathways involved in mesendoderm induction, dorsoventral patterning, and left-right asymmetry during zebrafish development. Meng’s lab pioneered the use of GFP reporters for live imaging of gene expression, contributing significantly to the study of genetic regulation in living organisms. His team also uncovered a key role for the maternal protein Huluwa in activating β-catenin signaling during embryonic axis formation, solving a longstanding question in the field. Recently, his lab’s focus has expanded to the nuclear pore complex’s clock-like function in zygotic genome activation and the role of the second polar body in mouse embryo development. Meng’s work continues to drive significant advancements in developmental and molecular biology.

Publications Top Notes:

1. “Mapping the chromatin accessibility landscape of zebrafish embryogenesis at single-cell resolution by SPATAC-seq” 🧬🔬
2. “Repression of MAPK/Erk signaling by Efnb2-Ephb4-Rasa1 is required for lymphatic valve formation” 💉🧪
3. “A Golgi-derived vesicle potentiates PtdIns4P to PtdIns3P conversion for endosome fission” 📦🧫
4. “TGFβ family signaling and development” 🧫🧬
5. “Systematic genome editing of the genes on zebrafish Chromosome 1 by CRISPR/Cas9” 🧬🔧
6. “Mini-III RNase-based dual-color system for in vivo mRNA tracking” 🧬💡
7. “Sec14l3 potentiates VEGFR2 signaling to regulate zebrafish vasculogenesis” 🌱🧬
8. “Migrasomes provide regional cues for organ morphogenesis during zebrafish gastrulation” 🧫🧠
9. “RNA 5-Methylcytosine Facilitates the Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition by Preventing Maternal mRNA Decay” 🧬💉

Conclusion:

Anming Meng is undoubtedly a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his pioneering research in developmental biology, particularly in the use of zebrafish as a model organism. His contributions have advanced our understanding of gene regulation, embryonic development, and the molecular mechanisms governing cell fate determination. As a leader, mentor, and active member of the scientific community, Dr. Meng has not only advanced the field but also nurtured the next generation of researchers. While there are areas for improvement, especially in terms of expanding collaborative efforts and public engagement, his exceptional body of work, recognition from prestigious institutions, and commitment to advancing science make him an ideal candidate for this prestigious award.