Fang Chen
Plant Biology Division
Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
2510 Sam Noble Parkway
Ardmore, OK  73401 USA

Phone: (580)224-6640
E-mail: fchen@noble.org

Current Position:
Research Scientist (2006-present) Plant Biology Division, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA 73401

Research Interests:
My research focuses on lignin chemistry, biosynthesis and manipulation and effects of lignin content and composition on a variety of applications including forage digestibility.

• Ph.D. (1993) South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
• B.S. (1984) South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China

• Research Scientist (2006-present)
  Plant Biology Division, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA 73401
• Senior Research Associate II (2002-2005)
  Plant Biology Division, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA 73401
• Postdoctoral fellow (1999-2001)
  Plant Biology Division, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA 73401 
• Postdoctoral fellow (1997-1999)
  Laboratory of Forest Chemistry, School of Bioagricultural Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
• Associate Professor (1995-1997)
  School of Paper and Environment Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
• Assistant Professor (1993-1995)
  School of Paper and Environment Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China

1. Jackson, L.A., Shadle, G.L., Zhou, R., Nakashima, J., Chen, F., and Dixon, R.A. (2008). Improving saccharification efficiency of alfalfa stems through modification of the terminal stages of monolignol biosynthesis. BioEnergy Research, in review.
2. Nakashima, J., Chen, F., Jackson, L., Shadle, G., and Dixon, R.A. (2008). Multi-site genetic modification of monolignol biosynthesis in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.): effects on lignin composition in specific cell types. New Phytologist 179, 738-750.
3. Chen, F., and Dixon, R.A. (2007) Lignin modification improves fermentable sugar yields for biofuel production.  Nature Biotechnology 25, 759-761.
4. Gail Shadle, Fang Chen, M.S.Srinivasa. Reddy, Lisa Jackson, Jin Nakashima, Richard A. Dixon. (2007). Down-regulation of hydroxycinnamoyl CoA:Shikimate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase in transgenic alfalfa affects lignification, development and forage quality. Phytochemistry 68, 1521-1529.
5. Fang Chen, M.S Srinivasa Reddy, Stephen Temple, Lisa Jackson, Gail Shadle and Richard A. Dixon (2006) Multi-site genetic modulation of monolignol biosynthesis suggests new routes for the formation of syringyl lignin and wall-bound ferulic acid in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Plant Journal 48, 113-124.
6. Ralph, J., Akiyama, T., Kim, H., Lu, F., Schatz, P.F., Marita, J.M., Ralph, S.A., Reddy, M.S.S., Chen, F. and Dixon, R.A. (2006) Effects of coumarate 3-hydroxylase down-regulation on lignin structure. Journal of Biological Chemistry 281(13), 8843-8853.
7. Reddy, M.S.S.*, Chen, F.*, Shadle, G., Jackson, L., Aljoe, H. and Dixon, R.A. (2005). Targeted down-regulation of cytochrome P450 enzymes for forage quality improvement in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 102 (46), 16573-16578. (*first co-authors)
8. Tsuji Y, Chen F, Yasuda S, Fukushima K. (2005) Unexpected behavior of coniferin in lignin biosynthesis of Ginkgo biloba L. Planta. 222(1):58-69. 
9. Tsuji Y, Chen F, Yasuda S, Fukushima K. (2004) The behavior of deuterium-labeled monolignol and monolignol glucosides in lignin biosynthesis in angiosperms.J Agric Food Chem. 52(1):131-4. 
10. L. Chen, C. Auh, P. Dowling, J. Bell, F. Chen, A. Hopkins, R. A. Dixon and Z. Wang (2003) Improved Forage Digestibility of Tall Fescue (festuca arundinacea) by Transgenic Down-regulation of Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase. Plant Biotechnology (in press)
11. F. Chen, A.L. Duran, J.W. Blount, L.W. Sumner and R.A. Dixon (2003) Profiling Phenolic Metabolites in Transgenic Alfalfa Modified in Lignin Biosynthesis. Phytochemistry 2003 64:1013-1021
12. G.L. Shadle, S.V. Wesley, K.L. Korth, F. Chen, C. Lamb and R.A. Dixon (2003) Over-expression of L-Phenylalanine Ammonia-lyase Enhances Plant Resistance to Fungal and Bacterial Pathogens. Phytochemistry. 64:153-61
13. D. Guo, F. Chen and R.A. Dixon (2002) Monolignol Biosynthesis in Microsomal Preparations from Lignifying Stem of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Phytochemistry. 61:657-67.
14. L. Chen, C. Auh, F. Chen, X. Cheng, H. Aljoe, R.A. Dixon and Z. Wang (2002) Lignin Deposition and Associated Changes in Anatomy Enzyme Activity, Gene Expression, and Ruminal Degradability in Stems of Tall Fescue at Different Developmental Stages. J. Agricultural and Food chemistry 50: 5558-5565
15. F. Chen, P. Kota J.W. Blount and R.A. Dixon (2001) Chemical syntheses of caffeoyl and 5-OH coniferyl aldehydes and alcohols and determination of lignin O-methyltransferase activities in dicot and monocot species.Phytochemistry 58: 1035-1042
16. P. Kota*, F. Chen*, D. Guo, J.W. Blount and R.A. Dixon (2001) Substrate Preferences of  O-Methyltransferase in Alfalfa Suggest New Pathway for 3-O-methylation of monolignols. Plant Journal 25(2): 193-202 (*first co-authors)
17. D. Guo, F. Chen, K. Inoue, J.W. Blount and R.A. Dixon (2001) Downregulation of Caffeic Acid 3-O-methyltransferase and Caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase in Transgenic Alfalfa: Impacts on Lignin Structure and Implications for the Biosynthesis of G and S Lignin. Plant Cell 13: 73-88
18. D. Guo, F. Chen, J. Wheeler, J. Winder, S. Selman, M. Peterson and R.A. Dixon (2001) Improvement of In-rumen Digestibility of Alfalfa Forage by Genetic Manipulation of Lignin O-Methyltransferases. Transgenic Research 10(5): 457-464
19. Korth, K.L., Blount, J.W., Chen, F., Rasmussen, S., Lamb, C. and Dixon, R.A. (2001). Changes in phenylpropanoid metabolites with homology-dependent silencing of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and its somatic reversion in tobacco. Physiologia Plantarum 111: 137-143
20. R.A. Dixon, F. Chen, D. Guo and P. Kota (2001) the Biosynthesis of Monolignols: A "Metabolic Grid" or Independent Pathway to Guaiacyl and Syringyl Units? Phytochemistry 57:1069-1084
21. R.A. Dixon, F. Chen, X. He, J.P. Noel and C. Zubieta (2001) Properties and Metabolic Engineering of Phenylpropanoid Pathway O-Methyltrasferases in Alfalfa. Recent Advance In Phytochemistry 35:131-151
22. N. Matsui, F. Chen, S. Yasuda, and K. Fukushima (2000) Conversion of Guaiacyl to Syringyl Moieties on the Cinnamyl Alcohol Pathway During the Biosynthesis of Lignin in Angiosperms. Planta 210: 831-835
23. F. Chen, S. Yasuda and K. Fukushima (1999) Evidence for a Novel Biosynthetic Pathway That Regulates the Ratio of Syringyl to Guaiacyl Residues in the Differentiation Xylem of Magnolia Kobus DC. Planta 207: 597-603
24. F. Chen, S. Yasuda and K. Fukushima (1999) Structural Conversion of Lignin Subunit at the Cinnamyl Alcohol Stage in Eucalyptus Camaldulensis. J. Wood Science 45:487-491