Prof. Qu Yuangao
Senior Research Scientist in Geobiology and Geochemistry
Research Background and Experience:
Dr. Qu Yuangao graduated his Bachelor's degree in geology from China University of Geosciences, along with a double Bachelor's degree in bioscience from Wuhan University. He obtained a Master’s degree in marine geosciences at the University of Bremen, Germany, and completed his Doctoral degree at the University of Bergen, Norway. Following his Ph.D., he conducted postdoctoral research at the Center for Geobiology in Norway and the Swedish Museum of Natural History.
In 2017, Dr. Qu joined the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He specializes in micro- and in-situ spectral and mass spectroscopic analysis techniques. His research primarily focuses on early Earth and the potential traces of extraterrestrial life, contributing to the development of extraterrestrial ocean science.
Research Interests:
(1) Co-evolution of life and the environment on the early Earth.
(2) Application of micro-area, in-situ, real-time analysis and monitoring techniques in Earth biology research
(3) Potential physical, chemical, and biological processes in deep-sea, deep-space, deep-Earth, deep-time, and extreme environments
Publications:
1. Qu, Y. , Yin, Z. , Kustatscher, E. , Nuetzel, A. , Peckmann, J. , & Vajda, V. , et al. (2023). Traces of ancient life in oceanic basalt preserved as iron-mineralized ultrastructures: implications for detecting extraterrestrial biosignatures. Astrobiology(7), 23.
2. Long, H.J., Yang, H., Qu, Y.G.* (2023) Distinguishing geobiological signatures from organic matter in the Edicaran chert nodule. Precambrian research, 390, 107045.
3. Qu, Y., van Zuilen, M. A., & Lepland, A. (2020). Hydrothermal circulation and oil migration at the root of the heterogeneous micro-structure of carbonaceous material in the 2.0 Ga Zaonega Formation, Onega Basin, Russia. Precambrian Research, 343(February), 105705.
4. Qu, Y.*, McLoughlin, N., van Zuilen, M. A., Whitehouse, M., Engdahl, A., Vajda, V.* 2019. Evidence for molecular structural variations in the cytoarchitectures of a Jurassic plant. Geology，47(4), 325-329
5. Qu, Y*., Lepland, A., van Zuilen, M. A., Whitehouse, M., Črne, A. E., & Fallick, A. E. (2018). Sample-scale carbon isotopic variability and diverse biomass in the Paleoproterozoic Zaonega Formation, Russia. Precambrian Research, 315, 222-231.
6. Qu, Y*., Zhu, S., Whitehouse, M., Engdahl, A., & McLoughlin, N. (2018). Carbonaceous biosignatures of the earliest putative macroscopic multicellular eukaryotes from 1630 Ma Tuanshanzi Formation, north China. Precambrian Research, 304, 99-109.
7. Qu, Y., Teichert, B. M. A., Birgel, D., Goedert, J. L., & Peckmann, J*. (2017). The prominent role of bacterial sulfate reduction in the formation of glendonite: a case study from Paleogene marine strata of western Washington State. Facies, 63(2), 10.
8. Qu, Y*., Engdahl, A., Zhu, S., Vajda, V., & McLoughlin, N. (2015). Ultrastructural heterogeneity of carbonaceous material in ancient cherts: investigating biosignature origin and preservation. Astrobiology, 15(10), 825-842.
9. Qu, Y., Črne, A. E., Lepland, A*., & Van Zuilen, M. A. (2012). Methanotrophy in a Paleoproterozoic oil field ecosystem, Zaonega F ormation, Karelia, Russia. Geobiology, 10(6), 467-478.
Contact Information:
Tel: +86 0898-88201192
Email: quyg@idsse.ac.cn
Prof. Maggie C.Y. Lau Vetter
Senior Research Scientist in microbiology
Educational Background and Research Experience:
Dr. Maggie C.Y. Lau Vetter earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Earth life sciences in 2002 and her Doctor of Science degree in microbial ecology in 2007, both from the University of Hong Kong. From July 2007 to March 2011, she conducted postdoctoral research and served as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Hong Kong. She then continued her postdoctoral research and served as an Associate Research Scholar at Princeton University from April 2011 to July 2018. She joined the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences in September 2018.
Research Interests:
She has extensive experience studying microbial communities in extreme environments such as hot springs, arid regions, the deep biosphere, and the Arctic and Antarctic. Her research interests strongly focus on the role of microbial communities in biogeochemical cycles, as well as interactions between communities and between communities and the environment.
Her main research areas in Earth biology include: (1) Utilizing high-throughput sequencing data and bioinformatics to explore the diversity of uncultured microorganisms in the deep subsurface, as well as their metabolic potential and performance; (2) Developing fluorescence labeling techniques to target specific metabolic pathways; (3) Using the deep Earth biosphere as a model to simulate extraterrestrial marine biospheres, thereby enhancing our understanding of extraterrestrial life. So far, she has published over 50 SCI-indexed papers in prominent journals such as Nature Communications, The ISME Journal, and PNAS.
Publications:
1. Wang, Q., H. Long, H. Wang and M.C.Y. Lau Vetter (2024) Characterize the growth and metabolism of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans under electroautotrophic and chemoautotrophic conditions. Microorganisms 12: 590.
2. Lau Vetter, M.C.Y., B. Huang, L. Fenske and J. Blom (2022) Metabolism of the genus Guyparkeria revealed by pangenome analysis. Microorganisms 10: 724.
3. Harris, R.L., M.C.Y. Lau Vetter, E. van Heerden, E. Cason, J.-G. Vermeulen, A. Taneja, T.L. Kieft and T.C. Onstott (2021) FISH-TAMB, a fixation-free mRNA fluorescent labeling technique, to target transcriptionally active members in microbial community. Microbial Ecology 84: 182-197.
4. Lau, M.C.Y., R.L. Harris, Y. Oh, M.J. Yi, Aida Behmard and T.C. Onstott. (2018) Taxonomic and functional compositions impacted by the quality of metatranscriptomic assemblies. Frontiers in Microbiology 9: 1235.
5. Edwards, C.R., T.C. Onstott, J.M. Miller, J.B. Wiggins, W. Wang, C.K. Lee, S.C. Cary, S.B. Pointing and M.C.Y. Lau (2017) Draft genome sequence of uncultured Upland Soil Cluster gammaproteobacteria (USCg) gives molecular insights into high-affinity methanotrophy. Genome Announcements 5: 17 e00047-17。
6. Lau, M.C.Y., T.L. Kieft, O. Kuloyo, B. Linage-Alvarez, E. van Heerden, M.R. Lindsay, C. Magnabosco, W. Wang, J.B. Wiggins, L. Guo, D.H. Perlman, S. Kyin, H.H. Shwe, R.L. Harris, Y. Oh, M.J. Yi, R. Purtschert, G.F. Slater, S. Ono, S. Wei, L. Li, B. Sherwood Lollar and T.C. Onstott (2016) An oligotrophic deep subsurface community dependent on syntrophy is dominated by sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrifiers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) 113: E7927-E7936.
7. Lau, M.C.Y., B.T. Stackhouse, A.C. Layton, A. Chauhan, T.A. Vishnivetskaya, K. Chourey, J. Ronholm, N.C.S. Mykytczuk, P.C. Bennett, G. Lamarche-Gagnon, N. Burton, W.H. Pollard, C.R. Omelon, D.M. Medvigy, R.L. Hettich, S.M. Pfiffner, L.G. Whyte and T.C. Onstott (2015) An active atmospheric methane sink in high Arctic mineral cryosols. The ISME Journal 9: 1880-1891.
8. Lau, M.C.Y., C. Cameron, C. Magnabosco, C.T. Brown, F. Schilkey, S. Grim, S. Hendrickson, M. Pullin, B. Sherwood Lollar, Esta van Heerden, T.L. Kieft and T.C. Onstott (2014) Phylogeny and phylogeography of functional genes shared among seven terrestrial subsurface metagenomes reveal N-cycling and microbial evolutionary relationships. Frontiers in Microbiology 5: 531.
9. Bahl, J.#, M.C.Y. Lau#, G.J.D. Smith, V. Dhanesakaran, S.C. Cary, D.C. Lacap, C.K. Lee, R.T. Papke, K.A. Warren-Rhodes, F.K.Y. Wong, C.P. McKay and S.B. Pointing (2010) Ancient origins determine global biogeography of hot and cold desert cyanobacteria. Nature Communications 2:163. (#co-first authors)
10. Lau, M.C.Y. and S.B. Pointing (2009) Vertical partitioning and expression of primary metabolic genes in a thermophilic microbial mat. Extremophiles 13: 533-540.
Contact information:
Tel: +86 0898-88202809
Email: maglau@idsse.ac.cn
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2812-9749 (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2812-9749)
Prof. Dominic Papineau
Senior Research Scientist in biogeochemistry and exobiology
Educational Background:
Prof. Dominic Papineau graduated inn 2001 with a B.Sc. degree in physics (major) and biochemistry (minor) from McGill University, in Montréal, Québec, Canada. He then obtained his Ph.D. degree in 2006 in geosciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder, in the United States of America, along with a graduate certificate in astrobiology. Between 2006 and 2010, he conducted postdoctoral research at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington (now called the “Earth and Planets Laboratory” at the Carnegie Institution for Science), in Washington D.C., in the United States of America
Research Experience:
After a brief time as an Assistant Professor at Boston College between 2010 and 2012, Prof. Papineau was a Professor at the University College London between 2013 and 2024, where he built a laboratory of geological spectroscopy. He now holds a honorary professor position in the Department of Earth Sciences at UCL. In 2024, Prof. Papineau joined the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research interests are aimed at understanding the origin and evolution of life on Earth, and to pave the way to search for extraterrestrial life on other planetary bodies. His research approach revolves around ‘correlative microscopy’, which involves visually correlated micro-analytical techniques to characterize geochemical compositions of minerals, rocks, and fossils. These techniques include polarizing microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, infrared micro-spectroscopy (FTIR and PiFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Focused Ion Beam (FIB), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Nanoscale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (NanoSIMS), synchrotron-based Scanning Transmission X-ray Micro-spectroscopy (STXM), and Atom Probe Tomography (APT). The integration of this arsenal of techniques to analyze microscopic mineral assemblages associated with organic matter in Precambrian, deep-sea, and extraterrestrial rocks provides complementary analyses of elemental, isotopic, and molecular compositions. Prof. Papineau has published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers, including in Nature, Nature Geoscience, Nature Communications, Science Advances, Geology, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Precambrian Research, Geobiology, and Chemical Geology. Between 2012 and 2013, he was a NASA Early Career Fellow and was affiliated with the NASA Astrobiology Institute between 1999 and 2012. As of 2024, he has trained numerous research students, including 3 postdocs, 11 Ph.D., 31 M.Sc., and 12 B.Sc
Research Interests:
(1) Microbial biosignatures in deep-sea hydrothermal vent environments
(2) Biosignatures of Precambrian microbial life in chemically precipitated rocks, including in metamorphosed rocks
(3) Organic diagenesis and the preservation of biosignatures in ferruginous and manganiferous chemical sediments
(4) The biological-abiotic origin of stromatolites
(5) Prebiotic-type geochemical reactions and abiotic carbon cycling
His goal is to answer some of the most challenging questions about the origin and early evolution of life, as well as to pave the way for the analysis of geological specimens from the Moon, Mars, and icy moons. He welcomes inquiries about projects (M.Sc., Ph.D., postdoctoral, and visiting scholar).
Publications:
1. Cao, K., She, Z., Papineau, D., Nan, J., Chen, C., Deevasalar, R., Tunc, A., Shakouri, M., Xiao, Q., Huang, K., and Pan, Y. (2025) Preservation of biosignatures in Neoproterozoic phosphorites metamorphosed at temperatures >450oC. Chemical Geology, DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2024.122519.
2. Buma-At, P., and Papineau, D. (2024) The rise of Proterozoic diagenetic spheroids formed by chemically oscillating reactions by environmental chemically oscillating reactions. Minerals 14, 962. DOI: 10.3390/min14100962 (With cover photograph for the issue).
3. Varkouhi, S. and Papineau, D. (2023) Silica botryoids from chemically oscillating reactions and as Precambrian environmental proxies. Geology. DOI: 10.1130/G50948.1.
4. Papineau, D., Dodd, M.S., She, Z., Iacoviello, F., Slack, J., Hauri, E., Shearing, P., and Little, C.S. (2022) Metabolically diverse primordial microbial communities in Earth’s oldest seafloor-hydrothermal jasper. Science Advances. DOI:10.1126/sciadv.abm2296
5. Cañadas, F., Papineau, D., Leng, M.J., and Li, C. (2022) Extensive primary productivity promoted the recovery of the Shuram excursion, Nature Communications, 1-9, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27812
6. Gabriel, N., Papineau, D., She, Z., Leider, A., and Fogel, M.L. (2021) Organic diagenesis in stromatolitic dolomite and chert from the late Paleoproterozoic McLeary Formation. Precambrian Research 354, DOI: 10.1016/j.precamres.2020.106052
7. Papineau, D. (2020) Chemically oscillating reactions in the formation of botryoidal malachite. American Mineralogist 105, 447-454. DOI: 10.2138/am-2019-7029.
8. Liu, D., Xu, Y., Papineau, D., Yu, N., Fan, Q., Qiu, X., and Wang H. (2019) Experimental evidence for abiotic formation of low-temperature proto-dolomite facilitated by clay minerals. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 247, 83-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2018.12.036.
9. Dodd, M.S., Papineau, D., Grenne, T., Slack, J.F., Rittner, M., Pirajno, F., O’Neil, J., and Little, C.T.S. (2017) Evidence for early life in Earth’s oldest hydrothermal vent precipitates. Nature 543, 60-64, DOI: 10.1038/nature21377.
10. Papineau, D., She, Z., and Dodd, M.S. (2017) Chemically oscillating reactions during the diagenetic oxidation of organic matter and in the formation of granules in late Paleoproterozoic chert from Lake Superior, Chemical Geology 470, 33-54. DOI: 10.1016//j.chemgeo.2017.08.021.
Contact Information:
Email: dpapineau@idsse.ac.cn
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0063-7514 (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0063-7514)
Dr. Gao Jing
Associate Researcher
Educational Background and Research Experience:
Dr. Gao Jing graduated her Bachelor's degree from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) in 2012. She then obtained her Doctoral degree at Peking University, during which she participated in an academic exchange at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In 2018,she began her postdoctoral work at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics,Chinese Academy of Sciences. She joined the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in 2023.
Research Interests:
Her research focuses on the recycling and energy flow of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus in extreme conditions, including the deep-sea, deep-space, deep-Earth, and other celestial bodies. She has a particular interest in the Earth's carbon cycle and the co-evolution of life and environment, and marine biomineralization mechanisms and processes. She has published nearly forty papers in prestigious journals including Science Advances, Geophysical Research Letters, and Science China-Earth Sciences
Publications:
1. Gao, J., Chen, F., Su, W. (2023) In situ high-pressure infrared spectroscopy of carbonophosphates Na3Mn(PO4)(CO3) and Na3Mg(PO4)(CO3).J. Alloys Compd. 933, 167807.
2. Gao, J., Zhang, J.L., Wu, W.H., Yen, C.-K. Su, W. (2022) Synchrotron radiation μ-XRF imaging reveals Mn zoning in freshwater pearls. J. Phys. Chem. C. 126(50), 21381-21389.
3. Gao, J., Zhang, J.L., Wu, W.H., Yen, C.-K., Su, W. (2022) Excessive uptake of trace elements results in an abnormal structure of nacre. Cryst. Growth Des. 22(12), 7264-7272.
4. Gao, J., Yuan, X.Y., Chen, B., Liu, Z.X., Su, W. (2021) High-pressure phase transformation of carbonate malachite Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 driven by [CuO6] regularization and [CO3] rotation. Geosci. Front. 12, 965-973.
5. Gao, J., Wu, W.H., Jia, L.H., Wang, C.-P., Liu, Y.X., Xu, C.W., Chen, F., Fei, C.H., Su, W. (2020) Raman and infrared spectra to monitor the phase transition of natural kyanite under static compression. J. Raman Spectrosc. 51, 2102-2111.
6. Gao, J., Niu, J.J., Qin, S., Wu, X. (2017) Ultradeep diamond originates from subducted oceanic carbonates? Sci. China Earth Sci. 60, 207-217.
7. Gao, J., Wu, X., Qin, S. (2015) The crystal chemistry and the compressibility of silicate-carbonate minerals: spurrite, galuskinite and tilleyite. Geosci. Front. 6, 771-777.
8. Yuan, X.Y., Zhong, R.C., Xiong, X., Gao, J., Ma, Y.B. (2023) Transition from carbonatitic magmas to hydrothermal brines: Continuous dilution or melt-fluid immiscibility? Sci. Adv. 9, eadh0458.
9. Lai, X.J., Zhu, F., Gao, J., Greenberg, E., Prakapenka, V.B., Meng, Y., Chen, B. (2022) Melting of the Fe-C-H system and Earth’s deep carbon-hydrogen cycle. Geophys. Res. Lett. 49, e2022GL098919.
10. Fu, L., Wan, Y., Tang, N., Ding, Y.M., Gao, J., Yu, J.C., Guan, H.M., Zhang, K., Wang, W.Y., Zhang, C.F., Shi, J.-J., Wu, X., Shi, S.-F., Ge, W.K., Dai, L., Chen, B. (2017) K-L crossover transition in the conduction band of monolayer MoS2 under hydrostatic pressure. Sci. Adv. 3, e1700162.
Contact Information:
Email: gaoj@idsse.ac.cn
Dr. Ramganesh Selvarajan
Special Research Assistant
Educational Background and Research Experience:
Dr. Ramganesh Selvarajan graduated from Bharathidasan University, India, with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology in 2007, followed by a Doctor of Science in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology from the University of Madras, India, in 2014. From March 2015 to December 2020, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the University of South Africa. Between January 2021 and August 2022, he served as an assistant professor and researcher at JJ College, affiliated with Bharathidasan University in India. He possesses extensive experience in studying microbial communities in various extreme environments, such as hot springs, acid mine drainage, and highland habitats, with a particular focus on the roles of microbial communities and their interactions with each other and their environments. In September 2022, Ramganesh joined the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Research Interests:
His main research areas at IDSSE include: (1) using high-throughput sequencing data and bioinformatics to investigate the diversity and metabolic potential of uncultured deep-sea microorganisms; (2) understanding the metabolism of D- and L-amino acids in microbial communities under various pressure conditions; and (3) employing a gravity controller to simulate extraterrestrial biospheres, advancing the exploration of extraterrestrial life. To date, he has published over 50 papers in SCI-indexed journals.
Publications:
1.Selvarajan, R., Sibanda, T., Ullah, H., Abia, A. L. K. (2024) Beach sand mycobiome: The silent threat of pathogenic fungi and toxic metal contamination for beachgoers. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 198, 115895.
2.Selvarajan, R., Yang, M., Ogola, H. J., Sibanda, T., Abia, A. L. K. (2024) Evaluating the Impact of Environmental Factors on Bacterial Populations in Riverine, Estuarine, and Coastal Sediments. Diversity 16(12), 749.
3.Fenibo, E. O., Selvarajan, R., Wang, H., Wang, Y., Abia, A. L. K. (2023) Untapped talents: insight into the ecological significance of methanotrophs and its prospects. Sci. Total Environ. 166145.
4.Fenibo, E. O., Selvarajan, R., Abia, A. L. K., Matambo, T. (2023) Medium-chain alkane biodegradation and its link to some unifying attributes of alkB genes diversity. Sci. Total Environ. 877, 162951.
5.Selvarajan, R., Ogola, H., Kalu, C. M., Sibanda, T., Obize, C. (2022) Bacterial communities in informal dump sites: A rich source of unique diversity and functional potential for bioremediation applications. Appl. Sci. 12(24), 12862.
6.Ogola, H. J. O., Selvarajan, R., Tekere, M. (2021) Local geomorphological gradients and land use patterns play key role on the soil bacterial community diversity and dynamics in the highly endemic indigenous afrotemperate coastal scarp forest biome. Front Microbiol. 12, 592725.
7.Selvarajan, R., Sibanda, T., Pandian, J., Mearns, K. (2021) Taxonomic and functional distribution of bacterial communities in domestic and hospital wastewater system: implications for public and environmental health. Antibiotics 10(9), 1059.
8.Sibanda, T., Ramganesh, S. (2021) Taxonomic and functional analyses reveal existence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes in beach sand bacterial populations. Arch Microbiol. 203(4), 1753-1766.
9.Selvarajan, R., Sibanda, T., Venkatachalam, S., Ogola, H. J., Christopher Obieze, C., Msagati, T.A. (2019) Distribution, interaction and functional profiles of epiphytic bacterial communities from the rocky intertidal seaweeds, South Africa. Sci Rep. 9(1), 19835.
10.Selvarajan, R., Sibanda, T., Tekere, M. (2018) Thermophilic bacterial communities inhabiting the microbial mats of “indifferent” and chalybeate (iron‐rich) thermal springs: Diversity and biotechnological analysis. MicrobiologyOpen 7(2), e00560.
Contact Information:
Email: drram@idsse.ac.cn;ramganesh.presidency@gmail.com
Wang Yue
Research Assistant
Master's degree, joined in September 2018.
Wang Yue is responsible for the operation, maintenance,and management of department platforms. She also assists in the management of research projects and actively participates in scientific research activities.
Email: wangyue@idsse.ac.cn
Wang Huiqi
Research Assistant
Master's degree,joined in August 2019.
Wang Huiqi is responsible for assisting in the construction of department platforms, as well as the procurement, management, and maintenance of department resources. She also assists in the development of research projects and participates in scientific experimental research within the research group.
Email: wanghq@idsse.ac.cn
Students:
Zhou Qianxue (Ph.D student)
She is focused on exploring the application conditions of fluorescent in situ hybridization of transcript-annealing molecular beacons (FISH-TAMB) technology.
Email: zhouqx@idsse.ac.cn
Li Guili (Ph.D student)
She is mainly focused on the relationship between protein function,structure,and evolution related to sulfur redox among microorganisms.
Email:ligl@idsse.ac.cn
Habib Ullah (Ph.D student)
He is mainly focusing on the genomes and ecological implications of microorganisms that produce biosurfactants in extreme environments. His work aims to explore the interactions and adaptability of these microorganisms within their unique habitats.
Email: habib@idsse.ac.cn
Graduated students from the group:
Zhang Yuhan, Master degree, graduated in 2021
Huang Baowei, Doctoral degree, graduated in 2023
Long Haijun, Master degree, graduated in 2023
Zhang Wenyu, Master degree, graduated in 2023
Wang Quansheng, Doctoral degree, graduated in 2024
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