Guo-Qing Song is a Professor and Associate Director of the Plant Biotechnology Resource & Outreach Center at Michigan State University 's Department of Horticulture. With over 15 years of faculty experience at MSU, his work integrates genetic transformation , gene editing , and biotechnology to improve horticultural crops like blueberry, grape, and cherry. Joined MSU in 2007 Appointment: 15% Teaching, 30% Research, 50% Outreach Previously: Research Associate at MSU (2002-2007) and Mitsui Chemical (2000-2002) Research Interests focus on: Basic Research : Molecular basis of chilling-mediated flowering in woody plants, MADS-box K-domain applications for yield, VcFT/SOC1 genes in blueberry flowering, and phytohormone interactions . Applied Research : Developing GM crops for abiotic tolerance (cold/heat/drought), transgrafting with siRNAs, and stable transformation systems for 30+ plant species. His scientific contributions include: Over 50 peer-reviewed publications (2004-present) Key patents on K-domain technology and transgrafting Recipient of the Outstanding International Horticulturalist Award (2024) Co-developer of CRISPR-Cas9 protocols for woody plants Outreach constitutes 50% of his appointment, focusing on: Training in plant transformation and gene editing Technical support for biotechnology adoption in specialty crops Developing micropropagation systems for fruit crops







