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Molecular Cloning & Gene Editing Consultant | PhD Biologist with 10+ Years of Lab Expertise

Profile Summary

I am a Ph.D.-trained molecular biologist with over 10 years of hands-on research experience in molecular cloning, gene editing, functional genomics, and crop biotechnology. I offer high-quality consulting services in plasmid construct design, CRISPR/Cas systems, and gene function validation, as well as bioinformatics analysis for gene editing data. My scientific career spans both academic and applied research settings, with deep experience in plant molecular biology, plant transformation techniques. I’m passionate about helping labs and companies solve complex experimental problems and accelerate their R&D pipelines with efficient, reliable solutions. 🔍 Previous Projects Established one of the first CRISPR based gene editing vector system in plants resulting in over 100 worldwide requests through Addgene (https://www.addgene.org/66187/) and successfully editing of over 7 important agronomic traits in more than 8 crops by designing and cloning a series of Cas9 and sgRNA vectors. Invented the Degenerate Sequence Decoding algorithm for directly genotyping gene edited plants from Sanger Sequencing results by utilizing the mutation features from CRISPR/Cas9 Developed protocols for protoplast transformation and transient gene expression in model and crop plants. 🧬 Ongoing Expertise Supporting research teams in optimizing CRISPR targets, minimizing off-targets, and integrating guide design with NGS verification workflows. 💡 How I Can Help Plasmid and cloning strategy design and troubleshooting (Restriction-ligation, Golden Gate, Gateway, Gibson) CRISPR gRNA selection, validation planning, and off-target prediction Troubleshooting gene editing or expression system performance Plant transformation with floral dip, callus, immature embryo using Agrobacterium Data interpretation from Sanger, Next Generation Sequencing Custom technical protocols and SOP documentation Other techniques such as PCR, Digital Droplet PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, Competent Cells etc. If you're looking for a dependable and scientifically rigorous consultant to support your research or biotech development, I’d be glad to connect and discuss your project.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ☆ Molecular Biology
• ☆ Genetics
• ☆ PCR
• ☆ Molecular Cloning
• ☆ Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)
• ☆ DNA Sequencing
• ☆ Synthetic Genomics
• ☆ Mutagenesis
• ☆ Recombinant DNA
• ☆ DNA/Gene Synthesis
• ☆ Oligonucleotide Synthesis
• ☆ Plasmid DNA
• ☆ DNA Damage & Repair
• ☆ Cell Biology
• ☆ Biotechnology & Bioengineering
• ☆ Recombinant Protein Expression
• ☆ Microscopy
• ☆ Light Microscopy
• ☆ Fluorescence Microscopy
• ☆ Agronomy & Crop Science
• ☆ Plant Biotechnology
• ☆ Data Analysis
• ☆ Data Exploration
• ☆ Data Visualization
• ☆ Cell Culture
• ☆ Synthetic Biology
• ☆ Agricultural Biotechnology
• ☆ Biomolecular Engineering
• ☆ Gene Synthesis
• ☆ Genetic Engineering
• ☆ Gene Editing/CRISPR
• ☆ Gene Delivery

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Consulting
• Data & AI

Writing Technical Writing, General Proofreading & Editing, Translation

Research Scientific and Technical Research

Consulting Scientific and Technical Consulting

Data & AI Data Visualization, Data Processing

Work Experience

Scientific Consultant

Self employed

April 2025 - Present

Research Officer

University of Saskatchewan

May 2021 - Present

National Research Council Canada

May 2021 - Present

Research Officer/Senior Research Officer

University of Saskatchewan

May 2021 - March 2025

University of Saskatchewan

May 2016 - April 2021

Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

May 2015 - April 2021

Ph.D. student

South China Agricultural University

September 2012 - December 2015

Education

Postdoctoral fellow (Global Institute for Food Security)

University of Saskatchewan

May 2016 - April 2021

Ph.D.

South China Agricultural University - China

September 2012 - December 2015

PhD (State Key Laboratory for conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources)

South China Agricultural University

September 2009 - December 2015

M.S.

South China Agricultural University - China

September 2009 - June 2012

B.S.

Hefei University of Technology

2005 - 2009

Certifications

• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate

  IBM

  https://www.coursera.org/account/accomplishments/professional-cert/certificate/MYYJTMHGZANA

  May 2025 - Present

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Xingliang Ma, Joanne R. Ashnest(2020). Genome Editing: Small-Size CasΦ Is Shining . Molecular Plant. 13. (9). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1235. Elsevier {BV}

Xie, X., Zhang, Z., Zhao, Z., Xie, Y., Li, H., Ma, X., Liu, Y.-G., Chen, L.(2020). The mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase OsALDH2b negatively regulates tapetum degeneration in rice . Journal of Experimental Botany. 71. (9). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 2551-2560.

Zeng, D., Liu, T., Ma, X., Wang, B., Zheng, Z., Zhang, Y., Xie, X., Yang, B., Zhao, Z., Zhu, Q., et al.(2020). Quantitative regulation of Waxy expression by CRISPR/Cas9-based promoter and 5'UTR-intron editing improves grain quality in rice . Plant Biotechnology Journal. 18. (12). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 2385-2387.

Shen, R., Ma, X., Wang, H.(2020). SMXL6/7/8: Dual-Function Transcriptional Repressors of Strigolactone Signaling . Molecular Plant. 13. (9). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1244-1246.

Zou, L., Yu, B., Ma, X.-L., Cao, B., Chen, G., Chen, C., Lei, J.(2019). Cloning and expression analysis of the bocmbf1c gene involved in heat tolerance in chinese kale . International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 20. (22).

Ma, X., Mau, M., Sharbel, T.F.(2018). Genome Editing for Global Food Security . Trends in Biotechnology. 36. (2). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 123-127.

(2017). Genome Editing for Global Food Security.

Xie, X. and Ma, X. and Zhu, Q. and Zeng, D. and Li, G. and Liu, Y.-G.(2017). CRISPR-GE: A Convenient Software Toolkit for CRISPR-Based Genome Editing . Molecular Plant. 10. (9). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1246-1249.

Xie, X., Ma, X., Zhu, Q., Zeng, D., Li, G., Liu, Y.-G.(2017). CRISPR-GE: A Convenient Software Toolkit for CRISPR-Based Genome Editing . Molecular Plant. 10. (9). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1246-1249.

Zhang, Y. and Xie, X. and Liu, Y.-G. and Zhang, Y. and Xie, X. and Liu, Y.-G. and Ma, X.(2017). CRISPR/Cas9-Based Genome Editing in Plants . Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science. 149. Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 133-150.

Ma, X., Zhu, Q., Chen, Y., Liu, Y.-G.(2016). CRISPR/Cas9 Platforms for Genome Editing in Plants: Developments and Applications . Molecular Plant. 9. (7). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 961-974.

Ma, X. and Liu, Y.-G.(2016). CRISPR/Cas9-based multiplex genome editing in monocot and dicot plants . Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. 2016.

Ma, X., Liu, Y.-G.(2016). CRISPR/Cas9-based multiplex genome editing in monocot and dicot plants . Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. 2016.

Zhou, L., Shen, R., Ma, X., Li, H., Li, G., Liu, Y.-G.(2016). Preparation of Rice Plant Genomic DNA for Various Applications . Current Protocols in Plant Biology. 1. (1). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 29-42.

Chen, W. and Zeng, D. and Shen, R. and Ma, X. and Zhang, Q. and Chen, L. and Liu, Y.-G. and Zhu, Q.(2016). Rapid in vitro splicing of coding sequences from genomic DNA by isothermal recombination reaction-based PCR . Biotechnology and Biotechnological Equipment. 30. (5). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 864-868.

Chen, W., Zeng, D., Shen, R., Ma, X., Zhang, Q., Chen, L., Liu, Y.-G., Zhu, Q.(2016). Rapid in vitro splicing of coding sequences from genomic DNA by isothermal recombination reaction-based PCR . Biotechnology and Biotechnological Equipment. 30. (5). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 864-868.

Liu, Weizhi and Xie, Xianrong and Ma, Xingliang and Li, Jun and Chen, Jiehu and Liu, Yao-Guang(2015). DSDecode: A Web-Based Tool for Decoding of Sequencing Chromatograms for Genotyping of Targeted Mutations . Molecular plant. 8. (9). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1431--3.

Liu, W., Xie, X., Ma, X., Li, J., Chen, J., Liu, Y.-G.(2015). DSDecode: A web-based tool for decoding of sequencing chromatograms for genotyping of targeted mutations . Molecular Plant. 8. (9). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1431-1433.

Xingliang Ma and Qunyu Zhang and Qinlong Zhu and Wei Liu and Yan Chen and Rong Qiu and Bin Wang and Zhongfang Yang and Heying Li and Yuru Lin and Yongyao Xie and Rongxin Shen and Shuifu Chen and Zhi Wang and Yuanling Chen and Jingxin Guo and Letian Chen and Xiucai Zhao and Zhicheng Dong and Yao-Guang Liu(2015). A Robust CRISPR/Cas9 System for Convenient, High-Efficiency Multiplex Genome Editing in Monocot and Dicot Plants . Molecular Plant. 8. (8). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1274 - 1284.

Ma, X. and Chen, L. and Zhu, Q. and Chen, Y. and Liu, Y.-G.(2015). Rapid Decoding of Sequence-Specific Nuclease-Induced Heterozygous and Biallelic Mutations by Direct Sequencing of PCR Products . Molecular Plant. 8. (8). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1285-1287.

Ma, X., Chen, L., Zhu, Q., Chen, Y., Liu, Y.-G.(2015). Rapid Decoding of Sequence-Specific Nuclease-Induced Heterozygous and Biallelic Mutations by Direct Sequencing of PCR Products . Molecular Plant. 8. (8). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1285-1287.

Ma, X., Zhang, Q., Zhu, Q., Liu, W., Chen, Y., Qiu, R., Wang, B., Yang, Z., Li, H., Lin, Y., et al.(2015). A Robust CRISPR/Cas9 System for Convenient, High-Efficiency Multiplex Genome Editing in Monocot and Dicot Plants . Molecular Plant. 8. (8). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1274-1284.

Chen, Y.-L. and Liang, H.-L. and Ma, X.-L. and Lou, S.-L. and Xie, Y.-Y. and Liu, Z.-L. and Chen, L.-T. and Liu, Y.-G.(2013). An Efficient Rice Mutagenesis System Based on Suspension-Cultured Cells . Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. 55. (2). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 122-130.

Chen, Y.-L., Liang, H.-L., Ma, X.-L., Lou, S.-L., Xie, Y.-Y., Liu, Z.-L., Chen, L.-T., Liu, Y.-G.(2013). An Efficient Rice Mutagenesis System Based on Suspension-Cultured Cells . Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. 55. (2). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 122-130.

Lv, S. and Sun, Z. and Qian, J. and Ma, X. and Yu, B. and Chen, X. and Cao, S.(2012). Isolation and characterization of a novel cadmium-sensitive mutant in Arabidopsis . Acta Physiologiae Plantarum. 34. (3). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1107-1118.

Lv, S., Sun, Z., Qian, J., Ma, X., Yu, B., Chen, X., Cao, S.(2012). Isolation and characterization of a novel cadmium-sensitive mutant in Arabidopsis . Acta Physiologiae Plantarum. 34. (3). Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 1107-1118.

BOOK CHAPTER

Xie, Xianrong and Ma, Xingliang and Liu, Yao-Guang(2019). Decoding Sanger Sequencing Chromatograms from CRISPR-Induced Mutations . Plant Genome Editing with CRISPR Systems: Methods and Protocols. Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 33--43. Springer New York

Xie, X., Ma, X., Liu, Y.-G.(2019). Decoding sanger sequencing chromatograms from CRISPR-induced mutations . Methods in Molecular Biology. 1917. Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 33-43.

Zhang, Y., Xie, X., Liu, Y.-G., Zhang, Y., Xie, X., Liu, Y.-G., Ma, X.(2017). CRISPR/Cas9-Based Genome Editing in Plants . Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science. 149. Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Localization.LocalizedHtmlString 133-150.