Profile

Chief promoter of Guizhou's Eucommia industry, spanning gene research to industrial policy advocacy

Story

Zhao Degang is former President of the Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, former Deputy Director of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the Guizhou Provincial CPPCC, and a National Model Teacher. He systematically conducted Eucommia molecular biology research relatively early, cloning genes related to Eucommia rubber biosynthesis such as farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, and is one of the main pioneers of Eucommia functional genomics.

As Deputy Director of the Eucommia industry alliance's Expert Committee and a member of the Guizhou Provincial CPPCC, he combined research with industrial promotion: he facilitated Eucommia rubber cooperation between Guizhou Tyre and the provincial academy and offered industry chain recommendations; at the Guizhou Eucommia industry high-end forum he proposed five high-value pathways ranging from active components and carbon sink value to antibiotic-free feed; and he led teams as a 'PhD village head' serving the TCM and Eucommia industries in ethnic minority regions.

Milestones

• Gave a report at the Guiyang National Eucommia Industry Development Summit Forum in November 2019
• Attended the 2nd Guizhou Eucommia Industry Development High-End Forum in December 2020 and released technical achievements
• Held discussions on Eucommia rubber industrialization cooperation with Huang Gege, Chairman of Guizhou Tyre Co., in May 2022
• In May 2024, at the invitation of the Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, gave the academic report 'Eucommia—The Oriental Miracle Tree: Research and Utilization'

Key Contributions

• Led his team in over 20 years of Eucommia research, constructing a Eucommia cDNA library and cloning genes related to Eucommia rubber biosynthesis
• Serves as Deputy Director of the Expert Committee of the Industry Technology Innovation Alliance for High-Value Utilization of Eucommia Resources
• At the 2nd Guizhou Eucommia Industry Development High-End Forum in December 2020, proposed five high-value research pathways for Eucommia industrialization
• His team developed Eucommia leaf sweet rice wine with flavonoid content 14.7 times higher than traditional sweet rice wine; the results were published in Frontiers in Nutrition
• As Deputy Director of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee of the Guizhou Provincial CPPCC, offered recommendations for the development of Guizhou's Eucommia industry chain