Wenyan Xiao

Wenyan Xiao, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Saint Louis University, within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in plants, particularly using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model. She investigates mechanisms underlying DNA methylation, gene imprinting, and their roles in plant development and reproduction. Her work combines genetic, molecular, genomic, and computational approaches to understand how these epigenetic processes influence embryogenesis, seed size, and reproductive strategies.

Dr. Xiao holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Her research highlights the interplay between DNA methyltransferase (MET1) and demethylase (DME) in regulating imprinted genes, with implications for seed viability and plant growth. Key findings include the dynamic role of DNA methylation in embryonic development and the distinct roles of maternal and paternal genomes in seed size regulation.

Her publications span topics such as active DNA demethylation mechanisms, epigenetic regulation of reproductive development, and genome-wide DNA methylation dynamics in plants. While no awards are explicitly mentioned, her contributions to plant epigenetics are evident through her extensive publication record and methodological innovations in the field.

Contact: Macelwane Hall, 3507 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103 | Email: wenyan.xiao@slu.edu