Phytobacteriology and Microbial Ecology Laboratory

Chia-Ching Chu, Associate Professor

Career and Experience

2001-2005  B.S., Dept. of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University
2005-2007  M.S., Dept. of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University
2009-2010  Assistant Specialist, Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, Keelung Branch, Taiwan
2010-2014  Ph.D., Dept. of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2015-2016  Postdoctoral Researcher, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida
2017-present  Assistant Professor, Dept. of Plant Pathology, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan

Contact Info.

Phone：04-22840780 #378 (Office)
Email：cchu9@dragon.nchu.edu.tw
Office：Agricultural Environment Science Building, Room 5B12
Lab website：http://cornberrybug.wordpress.com/

Research Area
  1. Plant pathogenic bacteria
  2. Microbial ecology
  3. Fastidious bacteria
Journal Articles
  1. Liang-Hsuan Wang, Wen-Chien Tang, Reun-Ping Goh, Jiun-Jie Chan, Yen-Hsin Chiu, Yea-Fang Wu, Shih-Min Su, Dao-Yuan Xue, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2024. Phylogenetic placements and phenotypic traits of soft rot bacteria isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum) in Taiwan. Journal of Plant Pathology. (SCI; accepted).
  2. Wen-Chien Tang, Liang-Hsuan Wang, Jiun-Jie Chan, Reun-Ping Goh, Yea-Fang Wu and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2024.  Inter- and intra-specific variations in phenotypic traits of Pectobacterium strains isolated from diverse eudicots and monocots in Taiwan. Plant Disease 108(8):2410-2421. (SCI)
  3. Reun-Ping Goh*, Shin Lee*, Zi-Qing Fang*, Wen-Chien Tang* and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2024. First report of Pseudomonas cichorii causing bacterial leaf blight of pocketbook plant (Calceolaria hybrida) in Taiwan. Plant Disease 108(6):1880. (SCI) 
  4. Reun-Ping Goh*, Shin Lee*, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2024. First report of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australasiaticum’-related phytoplasma strain associated with shoot proliferation disease of variegated croton in Taiwan. Plant Disease 108(3):781. (SCI)
  5. Ru-Bin Yao, Xiao-Hua Yan, Hsi-Ching Yen, Shin Lee, Chia-Ching Chu, Cheng-Fang Hong#, Chih-Horng Kuo#. 2024. Complete genome sequence of Agrobacterium pusense Bbcg2-2, a strain isolated from blueberry crown gall in Taiwan. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 13(2):e01083-23. (SCI)
  6. Zi-Qing Fang, Yi-Chang Liao, Shin Lee, Man-Miao Yang, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2023. Infection patterns of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter europaeus’ in Cacopsylla oluanpiensis, a psyllid pest of Pittosporum pentandrum. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 200:107959. (SCI)
  7. Wen-Yu Hsu*, Yi-Jin Lee*, Che-Hung Lin, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2023. First report of Robbsia andropogonis causing bacterial leaf spot of bougainvilleas in Taiwan. Plant Disease. 107:(9)2835 (SCI)
  8. Ching-Yu Chang*, Wen-Chien Tang*, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2023. First report of Dickeya dadantii causing bacterial soft rot of Scindapsus pictus in Taiwan. Plant Disease. 107(8):2516 (SCI)
  9. Nian-Pu Li*, Wen-Qian Tang*, Shin Lee, Chih-Li Wang, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2023. First report of Pectobacterium carotovorum and P. brasiliense causing bacterial soft rot of bok choy in Taiwan. Plant Disease. 107(7):2216 (SCI)
  10. Liang-Hsuan Wang*, Jiun-Jie Chan*, Yi-Hsin Wang, Zi-Qing Fang, Shin Lee and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2023. Bacterial leaf blight of Polyscias guilfoylei caused by a novel pathovar of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. Plant Disease 107(2):298–305. (SCI)
  11. Yu-Min Wu*, Liang-Hsuan Wang* and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2023. First report of Dickeya dadantii causing bacterial soft rot of Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum in Taiwan. Plant Disease 107(2):552. (SCI)
  12. Liang-Hsuan Wang*, Wen-Qian Tang*, Jiun-Jie Chan, Yi-Jin Lee, Ching-Yu Chang, Zi-Qing Fang and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2023. First report of Pectobacterium aroidearum causing bacterial soft rot of Epipremnum aureum in Taiwan. Plant Disease 107(2):550. (SCI)
  13. Shin Lee, Chien-Young Chu, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2022. Expression level of a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene in poinsettia is negatively correlated with poinsettia branch-inducing phytoplasma titer. Microbiology Spectrum 10(6):e03814-22. (SCI)
  14. Fang-Yu Lin, Shin Lee, Yi-Chang Liao, Man-Miao Yang, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2022. Infection patterns of a Liberibacter associated with Macrohomotoma gladiata, a psyllid feeding on Ficus microcarpa. Microbiology Spectrum 10(6):e03614-22. (SCI)
  15. Xian-Yong Wei, Wen-Ling Deng, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2021. Phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses on Dickeya spp. isolated from different host plants in Taiwan. Journal of Phytopathology 169(11-12):678-691.(SCI)
  16. Shin Lee*, Yi-Jin Lee*, Ching-Yu Chang*, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2021. First report of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’-related strain (16SrII-V) associated with phyllody, virescence, and shoot proliferation of sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) in Taiwan. Plant Disease 105(10):3285. (SCI)
  17. Shin Lee, Chien-Young Chu, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2021. Variability of phytoplasma infection density in poinsettia and evaluation of its association with the level of branching in host plants. Plant Disease 105 (5):1539-1545. (SCI)
  18. Wen-Qian Tang, Ching-Yu Chang, Yi-Jin Lee, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2021. First report of Pectobacterium aroidearum causing bacterial soft rot of carrot in Taiwan. Plant Disease 105(3):695. (SCI).
  19. Ying-Ru Lin, Shin Lee, Chih-Hung Lu, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2020. Genetic and phenotypic characterization of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. maculifoliigardeniae causing bacterial leaf spot of Ixora in Taiwan. Journal of Phytopathology 168(7-8):478-489. (SCI; Issue cover) 
  20. Fang-Yu Lin*, Zi-Qing Fang*, Shin Lee, Yi-Hsin Wang, Ying-Ru Lin, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2019. First report of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. begoniae causing bacterial leaf spot on Rieger begonias in Taiwan. Plant Disease 103(11):2940. (SCI)
  21. Chih-Hung Lu, Yen-Hsin Chiu, Jen-Yu Tzeng, Chia-Ying Lin, Ying-Ru Lin, Wen-Ling Deng and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2019. First report of Xanthomonas hortorum pv. hederae causing bacterial leaf spot of Hedera helix in Taiwan. Plant Disease 103(7):1765. (SCI)
  22. Chia-Ching Chu, Mark Hoffmann, Warren E. Braswell, and Kirsten S. Pelz-Stelinski#. 2019. Genetic variation and potential co-infection of Wolbachia among widespread Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) populations. Insect Science 26(4):671-682 (SCI)
  23. Ying-Ru Lin, Shin Lee, Chih-Hung Lu, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2019. First report of bacterial leaf spot of crown of thorns (Euphorbia milii) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. poinsetticola in Taiwan. Plant Disease 103(4):759. (SCI)
  24. Xian-Yong Wei, Yen-Hsin Chiu, Wen-Ling Deng, and Chia-Ching Chu#. 2019. First report of Dickeya dadantii causing stem rot of poinsettia in Taiwan. Plant Disease 103(1):143. (SCI)
  25. Chia-Ching Chu and Sydney A. Cameron#. 2017. A scientific note on Nosema bombi infection intensity among different castes within a Bombus auricomus nest. Apidologie 48:141-143. (SCI)
  26. Torrence A Gill, Chia-Ching Chu, and Kirsten S. Pelz-Stelinkski#. 2017. Comparative proteomic analysis of hemolymph from uninfected and Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus-infected Diaphorina citri. Amino Acids 49:389-406. (SCI)
  27. Chia-Ching Chu, Torrence A. Gill, Mark Hoffmann, and Kirsten S. Pelz-Stelinski#. 2016. Inter-population variability of endosymbiont densities in the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). Microbial Ecology 71:999-1007. (SCI)
  28. Charles-Antoine E. Dean, Michelle A. Duennes, Chia-Ching Chu, and Sydney A. Cameron#. 2015. Colony characteristics and Nosema infection of Bombus auricomus (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Entomological News 125:220-223. (SCI)
  29. Chia-Ching Chu, Jorge A. Zavala, Joseph L. Spencer, Matías J. Curzi, Christopher J. Fields, Jenny Drnevich, Blair D. Siegfried, and Manfredo J. Seufferheld#. 2015. Patterns of differential gene expression in adult rotation-resistant and wild-type western corn rootworm digestive tracts. Evolutionary Applications 8:692-704. (SCI; Issue cover)
  30. Haw-Chuan Lim#, Chia-Ching Chu, Manfredo J. Seufferheld#, and Sydney A. Cameron#. 2015. Deep sequencing and ecological characterization of the gut microbial communities of diverse bumble bee species, PLoS One DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0118566 (SCI)
  31. Chia-Ching Chu, Weilin Sun, Joseph L. Spencer, Barry R. Pittendrigh, and Manfredo J. Seufferheld#. 2014. Differential effects of RNAi treatments on field populations of the western corn rootworm, Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 110:1-6. (SCI; Issue cover)
  32. Chia-Ching Chu, Joseph. L. Spencer, Matías J. Curzi, Jorge A. Zavala, and Manfredo J. Seufferheld#. 2013. Gut bacteria facilitate adaptation to crop rotation in the western corn rootworm, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 110:11917-11922. (SCI; Issue cover)

    * equal contribution; # corresponding Author

Awards

2023        111 學年度農資學院優良導師

2021        109 學年度農資學院優良導師

2021        孫守恭教授植物病理學術獎傑出年輕植物病理學者獎

2019        107 學年度農資學院優良導師

2017-2019    科技部補助大專校院延攬特殊優秀人才獎勵

2014        Fred Clute Memorial Award

2013        William H. Luckmann Award for Student Research in Applied Entomology

2011        Fred Clute Memorial Award

2010-2012    J. C. Hackleman Fellowship/Illinois Crop Improvement Association Graduate Fellowship

2010        Fellowship of the Illinois Chapter of the Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honors Society

2008        Passed the Civil Service 3rd-Level Senior Examination

2007        Taiwan Honorary member of the Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Honor Society

2002        Ching O Medal, National Chung Hsing University

Conference Papers
  1. R.-B. Yao, C.-M. Chen, C.-C. Chu, and C.-F. Hong#. Preliminary survey of blueberry diseases in central Taiwan. The 2024 Annual Meeting of The Plant Protection Society of Republic of China. 2024/05/04.
  2. Wang, L.-H., Tang, W.-C., and Chu, C.-C.#. Genetic and phenotypic diversity of bacteria causing potato soft rot in Taiwan. International Conference of Clinical Plant Science 2023. Jeju Island, Korea. 2023/12/1-3. (Poster)
  3. Y.-J. Lee, S. Lee, C.-Y. Chu, and Chu, C.-C.#. Investigating the effects of phytohormone treatment on the association between poinsettia and phytoplasma. International Conference of Clinical Plant Science 2023. Jeju Island, Korea. 2023/12/1-3. (Poster)
  4. C.-Y. Chang, and Chu, C.-C.#. Screening of potato tuber-isolated streptomycetes for plant growth promotion and disease control. International Conference of Clinical Plant Science 2023. Jeju Island, Korea. 2023/12/1-3. (Poster)
  5. Tang, W.-C., Wang, L.-H., and Chu, C.-C.#. Phylogenetic placements and characteristics of Pectobacterium strains obtained from different hosts in Taiwan. Plant Health 2023 (the APS Annual Meeting), Denver, CO, USA. 2023/08/12–16. (Poster)
  6. Fang, Z.-Q., Lee, S., Liao, Y.-C., Yang, M.-M., and Chu, C.-C.#. 2022. Investigation on the ecology of a liberibacter associated with Cacopsylla oluanpiensis. The 2022 Annual Meeting of The Plant Protection Society of Republic of China. 2022/12/02.
  7. Tang, W.-C., Wang. L.-H., Chu, C.-C.#. 2022. Phylogenetic diversity and maceration potentials of Pectobacterium species infecting different plant hosts in Taiwan. The 16th International Symposium on Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, Taichung, Taiwan. 2022/11/9-11. (Poster)
  8. Lin, F.-Y, Y.-C. Liao, M.-M. Yang, S. Lee, Chu, C.-C.#. 2022. Investigation on the ecology of a liberibacter in Macrohomotoma gladiata. The 2022 Annual Meeting of Taiwan Phytopathological Society, Taipei, Taiwan. 2022/4/30. (Presented online)
  9. Lin, F.-Y., Chu, C.-C.#. 2021. Ecological characterization of a liberibacter detected in Macrohomotoma gladiata. 農業生技聯合研討會，南投縣，臺灣。2021/12/11。
  10. Lee, S., Chu, C.-Y., Chu, C.-C.#. 2021. Infection pattern of poinsettia branch-inducing phytoplasma in its host plant. 農業生技聯合研討會，南投縣，臺灣。2021/12/11。
  11. Lee, S., Chu, C.-Y., Chu, C.-C.#.2021. Investigation on the genetic diversity and infection patterns of poinsettia branch-inducing phytoplasma. The 2021 Annual Meeting of Taiwan Phytopathological Society, Taipei, Taiwan.
  12. Wei, X.-Y., Deng, W.-L., Chu, C.-C.#. 2021. Genetic and phenotypic analyses on soft rot bacteria isolated from Phalaenopsis orchid in Taiwan. The 2021 Annual Meeting of Taiwan Phytopathological Society, Taipei, Taiwan.
  13. Lu, C.-H., Wang, Y.-H., Su, S.-M., Chu, C. C.#.2021. Application of multiplex PMA-qPCR and PCR assays in detecting and quantifying xanthomonads causing bacterial leaf spot of tomatoes. The 2021 Annual Meeting of Taiwan Phytopathological Society, Taipei, Taiwan.
  14. Wu, J. R., Wang, J. J., Chiu, Y. H., Wu, Y. F., Su, S. M., Chu, C. C.#. 2021. Investigation on the genetic and phenotypic diversity of phytopathogenic Streptomycetes in Taiwan. The 2021 Annual Meeting of Taiwan Phytopathological Society, Taipei, Taiwan.
  15. 林映儒、李昕、盧志弘、朱家慶#。2019。感染台灣大戟科與茜草科花卉之 Xanthomonas 屬病原細菌之特性分析與檢測技術開發。中華民國植物病理學會 107 年度年會，台中市，台灣。
  16. 魏憲雍、鄧文玲、朱家慶#。2019。台灣 Dickeya 屬軟腐細菌之系統發生分析與表型比較。中華民國植物病理學會 107 年度年會，台中市，台灣。
  17. C.-C. Wang, Y.-J. Chen, T.-H. Liao, C.-Y. Kuo, Y.-L. Huang, C.-H. Wu, Y.-W. Tseng, Y.-H. Chang, S.-W. Chuang, C.-W. Chan, K.-H. Chen, H.-Y. Wang, J.-J. Tseng, C.-Y Gao, K.-T. Leung, C.-C. Chu# and M.-H. Lee#. Isolation of microbes and screening for their ability to degrade agriculture wastes and promote plant health. 9th International Conference of Clinical Plant Science. Dec. 1, 2018. Taichung, Taiwan (Poster).
  18. X.-Y. Wei, W.-L. Deng, and C.-C. Chu#. Phylogenetic analyses of Dickeya spp. strains isolated from Taiwan. 9th International Conference of Clinical Plant Science. Dec. 1, 2018. Taichung, Taiwan (Poster).
  19. Y.-R. Lin, S. Lee, C.-H. Lu and C.-C. Chu#. Identification and characterization of Xanthomonads causing bacterial leaf spots of ornamentals in Taiwan. 9th International Conference of Clinical Plant Science. Dec. 1, 2018. Taichung, Taiwan (Poster).
  20. Y.-P. Tseng, C.-J. Han, and C.-C. Chu#. Investigation of the gut bacterial community in the lychee stinkbug (Tessaratoma papillosa). 9th International Conference of Clinical Plant Science. Dec. 1, 2018. Taichung, Taiwan (Poster).
  21. Y.-H. Wang and C.-C. Chu#. Development of a viability qPCR workflow for detection of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria in tomato seeds. 9th International Conference of Clinical Plant Science. Dec. 1, 2018. Taichung, Taiwan (Poster).
  22. Chu, C.-C#. Psyllid-microbe associations and their implications for management of plant diseases. 6th Taiwan−Japan Ecology Workshop. Nov 22-26, 2018. Tainan, Taiwan (Speaker).
  23. Chu, C.-C#. Exploring the potential of using microbes as tools for managing insect-transmitted plant diseases. 2018 Trends in Sustainable Agriculture Conference. July, 5-6, 2018. Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. (Speaker)
  24. 朱家慶#。植物病害媒介昆蟲與微生物交互作用之探討。2017年海峽兩岸植物病理學術研討會。2017年9月。湖北省，武漢市，中國。 (Speaker)
  25. Chu, C.-C#. Insect-microbe interactions and their potential use in controlling insect-borne plant diseases. The 22nd Conference on Bacteriology. August, 2017. Taitung, Taiwan, ROC. (Speaker)
  26. 朱家慶#。Investigating host-microbe associations in insect vectors of plant bacterial diseases. 2017年海峽兩岸植物保護博士後論壇暨青年學術研討會。2017年6月26日至27日，福建省，福州市，中國。(Speaker)
  27. 朱家慶#。應用媒介昆蟲與微生物之交互作用防治蟲媒細菌性病害之可行性探討。中華民國植物病理學會105年度年會。2017年4月。台中市，台灣。 (Speaker)
  28. Chu, C.-C., T. A. Gill,  M. Hoffmann, K. S. Pelz-Stelinski#. Ecological characterization of bacterial endosymbionts in field populations of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). XXV International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL, USA, September, 25-30, 2016. (Speaker)
  29. T. A. Gill, C.-C. Chu, K. S. Pelz-Stelinski#. Comparative analysis of hemolymph proteins derived from Diaphorina citri (ACP) either uninfected or infected with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). The 4th Annual UF/IFAS CREC – Posters and Pastries Research Symposium, Lake Alfred, FL, USA, April, 8, 2016. (Poster)
  30. Chu, C.-C., T. A. Gill, M. Hoffmann, K. S. Pelz-Stelinski#. Endosymbiont densities in Florida populations of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). The 4th Annual UF/IFAS CREC – Posters and Pastries Research Symposium, Lake Alfred, FL, USA, April, 8, 2016. (Poster)
  31. Chu, C.-C., T. A. Gill, K. S. Pelz-Stelinski#. Biological factors contributing to Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus infection densities in field Asian citrus psyllid populations (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama). 63rd Annual ESA Meeting. Minneapolis, MN, USA, November, 14-18, 2015. (Poster)
  32. Chu, C.-C., J. A. Zavala, J. L. Spencer, M. J. Curzi, C. J. Fields, J. Drnevich, B. D. Siegfried and M. J. Seufferheld#. Differential gene expression in rotation-resistant and wild-type western corn rootworm beetle (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) digestive tracts. 63rd Annual ESA Meeting. Minneapolis, MN, USA, November, 14-18, 2015. (Poster)
  33. Chu, C.-C., J. L. Spencer, M. J. Curzi, J. A. Zavala, and M. J. Seufferheld#. Host-microbe interactions in the rotation-resistant variant of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. 61st Annual ESA Meeting. Austin, TX, USA, November, 11-13, 2013. (Poster)
  34. Chu, C.-C., M. J. Curzi, J. A. Zavala, J. L. Spencer, and M. J. Seufferheld#. Host-microbiota interactions and dietary adaptation of the rotation-resistant western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera). 60th Annual ESA Meeting. Knoxville, TN, USA, November, 11-14, 2012. (Poster)
  35. Chu, C.-C., M. J. Curzi, J. A. Zavala, J. L. Spencer, and M. J. Seufferheld#. Anthropogenic ecosystem disturbances facilitate the contemporary evolution of the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera). First Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology. Ottawa, ON, Canada. July, 6-10, 2012. (Speaker)
  36. M. J. Curzi, C.-C. Chu, J. L. Spencer, J. A. Zavala, and M. J. Seufferheld#. Effect of soybean herbivory on gut protease activity in wild-type and rotation-resistant WCR beetles. USDA Awardee Workshop. San Diego, CA, USA, December 11-12, 2010. (Poster)
  37. P. F. Sung, Y. S. Leu, C.-C. Chu, S. T. Hsu, K. C. Tzeng#. 2007. Detection of Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli by SYBR Green real-time PCR. The 2007 Annual Meeting of Taiwan Phytopathological Society, Taichung City, Taiwan.
  38. Chu, C.-C., K. C. Tzeng, W. L. Deng and S. T. Hsu#. 2006. Cloning and characterization of pecS/pecM from Erwinia chrysanthemi Sp13, a strain defective in blue pigment production. The 2006 Annual Meeting of Taiwan Phytopathological Society, Chia-Yi, Taiwan. (Speaker)

           # : Corresponding Author.

Teaching focus

Undergraduate courses

General Microbiology

Experiments in General Microbiology

Plant Bacteriology

Independent Research

Plant Quarantine

Graduate courses

Departmental Seminar

Diagnosis of Plant Diseases

Diagnosis of Plant Pests and Diseases

Literature Review in Phytobacteriology

Lab members

Postdoctoral scholar：

Reun-Ping Goh

Research assistant:

Ching-Yu Chang, Yi-Jin Lee, Liang-Hsuan Wang

M.S. Students：

Jiun-Jie Chan, Yu-Min Wu, C.-H. Wang, T.-C. Cheng

Undergraduates：

Pen-Hsuan Chang, Yi-Hsien Cheng, Guan-Yi Lin

For more information, please visit our website: 

http://cornberrybug.wordpress.com/

Comments are closed.