FRS Spotlight On: Assoc Prof Ma Wei

In each issue of our quarterly newsletter, we showcase a member of the food research community at NTU to learn more about their research. This issue, we speak to Assoc Prof Ma Wei from the School of Biological Sciences. 

Assoc Prof Ma Wei (third from left) leads a team of aspiring female scientists

 

Assoc Prof Ma Wei is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on understanding plant regulatory mechanisms that influence seed traits, oil content, and fruit development, with the goal of improving crop resilience, yield, and nutritional quality to support global food security. Assoc Prof Ma was selected as an EMBO Global Investigator in December 2024.

 

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in food science?

The challenges of climate change, population growth, and food security drive my passion for plant biology. Studying how regulatory mechanisms affect agronomic traits allows us to develop solutions that enhance food production and nutrition, making meaningful contributions to sustainability.

 

Q: Can you share a recent project you’re passionate about and its potential impact?

We recently discovered a transcription factor, ZFP2, that plays a role in funiculus (an umbilical cord-like structure which connects developing seeds to the maternal plant) and regulates seed loading. When we knocked it out, seed traits such as size and oil content were altered. Our study, published in Developmental Cell, highlights how nutrient transport in seeds can be optimized—offering new strategies for crop improvement.

 

Q: How do you see your research addressing global food security challenges?

By studying seed traits, oil accumulation, and fruit development, we aim to develop crops with higher yields, better resilience, and improved nutrition, contributing to sustainable food solutions. 

 

Q: Tell us one fun-fact about you or your lab.

Most students in my lab had never heard of Arabidopsis before joining. Now, even colleagues from other fields appreciate its importance in plant biology!