About

Guo-Liang Wang is an Associate Chair, Endowed Professor of Plant Protection, and a OSU Distinguished Scholar at The Ohio State University. His role is within the Department of Plant Pathology, where he contributes to the academic and research missions of the college. His research focus is on plant protection, and he holds a prominent position in the department, indicating a significant contribution to the field of plant pathology and protection.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Biology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Mining
• Political Science
• Machine Learning
• Genetics
• Algorithm
• Computational biology
• Evolutionary biology
• Mathematics
• Data science
• Botany
• Database
• Horticulture

Selected publications

• Decoding the diabetes-pancreatic adenocarcinoma connection: the critical role of PILRA in intermediate monocyte activity

  BMC Medical Genomics · 2026-01-17

  articleOpen access

  Diabetes is a well-known risk factor for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD), yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study employs single-cell sequencing to analyze gene expression patterns and uses Mendelian randomization to assess the association between genetic variations in specific genes and the risk of PAAD. Our findings reveal a significant reduction in the proportion of monocytes in patients with both diabetes and PAAD. Monocytes play a crucial role in the progression of both diseases. Notably, we identified an increase in intermediate monocytes (CD14 + + CD16+) in both conditions. These cells exhibit significant activation of the LGALS9-CD45 receptor, increased metabolic activity, and enhanced involvement in disease pathways. We demonstrate that intermediate monocytes are key cellular players in the link between diabetes and PAAD. Using dual-sample Mendelian randomization, we identified genetic variations in PILRA, a highly variable gene in intermediate monocytes, as a risk factor for PAAD. PILRA + intermediate monocytes show higher metabolic activity and stronger immune cell communication compared to PILRA- cells, suggesting an important role in tumor microenvironment regulation and immune cell activation inhibition. This biological function is associated with cytokine-mediated signaling, focal adhesion, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways. RT-qPCR validation of PBMC samples indicates a statistically significant, progressive increase in PILRA expression in patients with PAAD, diabetes, and those with both conditions. In summary, this study uncovers the critical role of intermediate monocytes in diabetes-induced PAAD and proposes PILRA as a potential therapeutic target.

  PublisherDOI

• Nanobodies: a new frontier in plant disease management

  Trends in biotechnology · 2025-09-27 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• [A retrospective matching study of partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy for pathological T3a stage renal cell carcinoma].

  PubMed · 2025-08-18

  otherOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes of partial nephrectomy (PN) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who were clinically staged as clinical T1 (cT1) preoperatively but upstaged to pathological T3a (pT3a) after surgery. METHODS: A total of 427 RCC patients postoperatively diagnosed as pT3aN0M0 at Peking University Third Hospital from February 2013 to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, 33 cT1 patients upstaged to pT3a RCC received PN (PN group), while 394 non-upstaged pT3a RCC patients underwent radical nephrectomy (RN, RN group). Propensity score matching was performed at a 1 ∶ 1 ratio based on baseline characteristics. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and disease-free survival (DFS), with Log-rank tests and Cox regression models for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: < 0.05). CONCLUSION: For cT1 RCC patients upstaged to pT3a, PN preserves renal function more effectively while achieving com-parable oncological outcomes to RN. RVI, higher Fuhrmann grade, and sarcomatoid differentiation are independent risk factors for pT3N0M0 RCC patients.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Key Role of Bridge Adsorbed Hydrogen Intermediate on Pt–Ru Pair for Efficient Acidic Hydrogen Production

  Advanced Materials · 2025-04-11 · 30 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Atop and multiple adsorbed hydrogen are considered as key intermediates on Pt‐group metal for acidic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), yet the role of bridge hydrogen intermediate ( * H bridge ) is consistently overlooked experimentally. Herein, a Pt atomic chain modified fcc ‐Ru nanocrystal (Pt–Ru( fcc )) is developed with a co‐crystalline structure, featuring * H bridge intermediate bonded on the Pt–Ru pair site. Electrons leap from the pair site to * H bridge facilitate hydrogen desorption, thus accelerating the Tafel kinetics and ensuring outstanding electrocatalytic performance, with a low overpotential (4.0 mV at 10 mA cm −2 ) and high turnover frequency (56.4 H 2 s −1 at 50 mV). Notably, the proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer PEMWE with ultra‐low loading of 10 ug Pt cm −2 shows excellent activity (1.61 V at 1.0 A cm −2 ) and low average degradation rate (4.0 µV h −1 over 1000 h), significantly outperforming the benchmark Pt/C. Furthermore, the PEMWE‐based 80 µm Gore membrane under identical operating conditions requires only 1.54 and 1.58 V to achieve 1.0 and 1.5 A cm −2 . This finding highlights the key role of * H bridge at the Pt–Ru interface in obtaining high HER intrinsic activity and underscores the transformative potential in designing next‐generation bimetallic catalysts for clean hydrogen energy.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Glutathione triggers leaf-to-leaf, calcium-based plant defense signaling

  Nature Communications · 2025-02-24 · 14 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Animals rely on nervous systems to cope with environmental variability, whereas plants are characterized by lack of nervous system but still have evolved systemic communication systems through signaling molecules that trigger long-distance defense signaling events when encountered with environmental challenges. Here, our genetic screening of the previously constructed hairpin RNA-based Arabidopsis library identifies a glutathione (GSH)-deficient mutant that has high accumulation of glutamate (Glu), a previously defined wound signal essential for activating plant defense, but disharmoniously exhibits attenuation of defense signaling events. We further uncover GSH as a critical signaling molecule that relies on GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR-LIKE 3.3 (GLR3.3) to trigger long-distance calcium-based defense signaling events in plants. Our findings offer new insights into highly sophisticated systemic defense systems evolved by plants to defend against herbivory and pathogen invasion.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• E3 ubiquitin ligases at the frontline of antiviral defence

  Nature Plants · 2025-05-14 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Whole‐Genome Sequencing Reveals <scp>SNP</scp> ‐Based Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of the Thai Rice Blast Fungus

  Plant Pathology · 2025-10-16 · 1 citations

  article

  ABSTRACT Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae , is a devastating disease threatening global rice production. While Southeast Asia is a centre of origin, the pathogen's population dynamics in Thailand are not well understood. We analysed whole‐genome sequences from 191 M. oryzae isolates (60 from Thailand and 131 global) to investigate their genetic diversity, structure and pathogenicity. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Thai isolates cluster with other Asian populations but exhibit greater within‐population diversity, forming two major genetic clusters. We found that Thai rice isolates from rain‐fed lowland and irrigated rice in the northeast and central regions cluster in World Group 3, while isolates from upland rice in northern Thailand cluster in World Group 1. This revised interpretation provides a more accurate representation of the population structure and highlights previously uncharacterised diversity. To link molecular data with phenotypes, we performed avirulence gene profiling and pathogenicity assays on 31 rice blast resistance near‐isogenic lines. A correlation analysis showed a strong relationship for key gene pairs, including AvrPik and AvrPi9 , highlighting their functional importance. In contrast, the correlation was low for Pii , Pizt and Pib due to the low frequency of their corresponding avirulence genes. The Avr‐Pita interaction displayed a complex, haplotype‐specific correlation. Our findings provide new insights into the genomic and pathogenic variation of M. oryzae in Thailand, establishing a robust link between avirulence gene profiles and observed pathogenicity phenotypes. This work offers a refined foundation for region‐specific resistance breeding and disease management strategies.

  PublisherDOI

• Occurrence and integrated control of major rice diseases in China

  New plant protection. · 2025-05-19 · 13 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Rice is a vital staple food that sustains half of the world's population. However, it is constantly under threat from a variety of pathogens, including at least 13 fungi, 5 bacteria, 8 viruses, and 6 nematodes. These pathogens can significantly reduce rice yields, posing a serious risk to global food security. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, coupled with the effects of climate change, has further exacerbated the spread and mutation of these pathogens, leading to a decline in agricultural productivity. This review highlights the major diseases affecting rice in China, including three fungal diseases (rice blast, rice false smut, and rice sheath blight), two bacterial diseases (rice bacterial blight and bacterial leaf streak), two viral diseases (southern rice black‐streaked dwarf disease and rice stripe virus), and one nematode (rice root‐knot nematodes). The review also proposes future directions for an integrated approach to control these major rice diseases. Overall, addressing the threats posed by these pathogens is crucial to ensure a stable and secure global food supply.

  PublisherDOI

• Au assisted smooth ultrathin epitaxial ZnO film grown by pulsed laser deposition on sapphire(0001)

  Applied Surface Science · 2025-02-21 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Neoadjuvant therapy demonstrates both safety and clinical feasibility for renal cell carcinoma patients with tumor thrombus

  Discover Oncology · 2025-08-26 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: While the applications of neoadjuvant therapies on patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus (TT) is growing, the safety of preoperative therapies has yet to be clarified. METHODS: 451 patients diagnosed with RCC with TT undergoing radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy were included. Propensity score-matched cohorts were used to investigate the safety and feasibility of neoadjuvant therapies. We compared perioperative parameters and postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were assessed within 30 days of the operation and were graded using the Clavien-Dindo grading system. A Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess the impact of neoadjuvant therapies on patients' overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). RESULTS: After 1:3 ratio propensity-score matching (PSM), 56 patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy and 153 patients receiving non-neoadjuvant therapy were included in the analysis. No significant difference was found between the two groups after PSM in terms of baseline information (P > 0.05). The rate of blood transfusion (71.4% vs. 52.3%, P = 0.01) was higher in neoadjuvant therapy. 8 patients (14.3%) in neoadjuvant therapy group experienced serious complications while 15 patients (14.9%) in non-neoadjuvant therapy group experienced serious complications. The perioperative parameters and postoperative complications did not show significant differences in preoperative-combined therapy group and non-preoperative-combined therapy group. No significant differences were found in OS or CSS between the neoadjuvant therapy group and non-neoadjuvant therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant therapies can be safely administered to RCC patients with TT. Neoadjuvant therapies recipients' OS or CSS did not differ significantly from those who did not receive the treatment.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• AvrPiz-t-mediated suppression of PAMP- and effector-triggered immunity in rice by targeting host ubiqiutin proteasome system

  NSF · $634k · 2012–2016

Frequent coauthors

• Yuese Ning

  Institute of Plant Protection

  342 shared

• Chan Ho Park

  Department of Plant Biology

  260 shared

• Qi Xie

  195 shared

• Liangying Dai

  178 shared

• Houxiang Kang

  Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

  172 shared

• Fan Zhang

  Zhengzhou University

  170 shared

• Maria Bellizzi

  The Ohio State University

  163 shared

• Wende Liu

  151 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Plant Pathology

  University of California, Davis

  1990

• M.S., Plant Pathology

  University of California, Davis

  1986

• B.S., Agricultural Chemistry

  National Taiwan University

  1983

Awards & honors

• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science…
• Distinguished Senior Faculty Research Award, OARDC, College…
• Fellow, American Phytopathological Society (aps), August, 20…
• William E. Krauss Director's Award for Excellence in Graduat…
• Research Award of Merit, Gamma Sigma Delta, Honor Society of…