Prof. WANG Xiaoxue from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences visited IHB on July 8, 2024. (Credit: IHB)

On July 8, 2024, Prof. WANG Xiaoxue from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was invited to the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, to deliver an academic lecture titled "Cell Fate Dictation in Bacteria: Toxin/Antitoxin System."

In her presentation, Prof. Wang introduced the classification and functions of Toxin/Antitoxin (TA) systems, using a variety of microorganisms as examples. She elaborated on her team’s discovery of two novel types of TA systems and their neutralization mechanisms.

Additionally, she proposed new functions for plasmid-based TA systems, offering insights into how bacteriophages interact with microbial hosts and regulate host phenotypes.

Wang also touched upon potential applications of TA systems, sparking widespread interest among the audience. Researchers and students engaged in a deep discussion on topics like the response mechanisms of TA systems, their connection to eukaryotic immune systems, and their possible role in programmed cell death.

Professor Wang Xiaoxue is currently a professor at the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and serves as the director of the Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology. She also serves as the chief scientist for various national research programs, leading major projects in microbial ecology. As a prolific researcher, she has authored or co-authored over 50 papers in top-tier international journals such as Nature Chemical Biology, Nature Ecology & Evolution, PNAS, and Nucleic Acids Research.