Lecturer's Biography

I owned my Engineer degree from the Hanoi University of Science and Technology (AUF excellent program) since 2006. Then I received my Master (AgroSup Dijon, France), my PhD (University of Burgundy, France) and my MBA (Dijon Institute of Business Administration, France) in  2007, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Prior to joining Vietnam – France University, I gained my Post-Doctoral experience on Plant metabolic engineering at the French National Center for Scientic Research (CNRS) from 2011 to 2012.

Since January 2013, I am a lecturer- researcher at department of Life Science at Vietnam – France University where I leads my teaching and research into Plant biotechnology, more specifically focused on Rice Functional genomics and mecanisme of stress tolerance in rice.

From 2013 to the end of 2015, I  was one of the key person in the bilateral project funded by MARD[1] entitled “Characterization of new genes and alleles involved in root development and drought tolerance in rice”. This project aimed at the : (i) validation of regulatory molecular pathways involved in rice root development based on functional genomics approach as well as to (ii) characterize the Vietnamese rice panel for drought stress tolerance using association mapping on the core rice Vietnamese collection.

From 2016, I am a Principal Investigator of a NAFOSTED project work on the rice defense system via Jasmonic Acid pathway and works on several project about Rice endophytic bacteria and Phosphate starvation tolerance in rice.


CURRICULUM VITAE

  

Education

2007 –  2010

Doctor in Food science and Biotechnology  

University of Burgundy, France

French government scholarship

2009 –  2010

Master  Business of Administration (double courses alternance) 

Dijon Institute of Business Administration (IAE Dijon), France

Burgundy regional scholarship

2006 –  2007

Master in Food Science and Biotechnology  

National Institute of Agricultural Science, Food and Environment (Agrosup Dijon) French government scholarship

2001 – 2006

Engineer in Food Science and Technology 

Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Vietnam. AUF Excellence program

 

  




Jan.13 - now

Relevant Experience


Leader of Plant biotechnology team, Department of Life Sciences, USTH

2021-2024

Vietnam-China Joint Research project (MOST)

Participant

Research on micronutrient bio-fortification in rice using Genome Editing technology

2021- 2023

Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology

PI

Application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for functional characterizing of candidate genes controlling the rice root development

2020-2021

Global Challenge Research Fund

(The UK Academies)

Partner

Improving crop yield in dry and nutrient-poor soils via more resilient rice varieties

2017-2020

NAFOSTED (MOST)

PI

Discovery of QTLs associated with the sensitivity to Jasmonic acid linked to plant growth and stress tolerance in Vietnamese rice collection using Genome-Wide Association Studies

2018-2020

USTH- Consortium

Senior scientific secretary

Investigating the gene expression pattern of Vietnamese rice accessions (Oryza sativa L.) grown under Phosphorus starvation and the correlation with Jasmonic acid.

2016-2017

USTH- Consortium

Co- PI

Identifying new plant genes involved in abiotic and biotic interactions and productivity

2014-2016

USTH- Consortium

Coordinator

Functional characterization of rice genetic resources and genetic diversity of rice pathogens in Vietnam

2013-2015

Vietnam-France Joint Research project (MARD)

Senior researcher

Characterization of new genes and alleles involved in root development and drought tolerance in rice

 

Jun.11 Jun.12

 

Postdoctoral fellow at French National Center for Scientific Research UMR 6022

- European Council FP7 ICON project : “A new metabolic pathway engineering to produce the branched-chain fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for use in biolubrication”

 

Oct.07 Dec.10

PhD Candidate fellow at Institute Jules Guyot, University of Burgundy (France)

- Project: “Membrane lipid composition in the Lactic Acid Bacteria under stress conditions: Physical role of the Cyclic Fatty Acid in Oenococcus oeni ATCC BAA1163 and Lactococcus lactis sub cremoris MG1363”

 


Languages & computer skill

 

English:  Proficiency    [IELTS 6.0 certificate]      

French:  Fluency           [DALF C1 certificate]         

                             Tools :  R, GWAS …

   

Networking

- In charge of Establishing the Research cooperation between Life Sciences department (USTH, VN) and Applied Life Science Department (BK21 Program), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Gyeongsang National University (​GNU, Korea).

- Partner of Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) networking grant among UK (University of Nottingham), Philippines (IRRI), India (National Institute of Plant Genome Research) and Vietnam (USTH).

- In charge of Establishing the Research cooperation between USTH and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST, TW), University Network for Tropical Agriculture (UNTA).

- Coordinator of Cultivar project between USTH and The French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD, FR).

- USTH Coordinator of International joint laboratory on Functional Genomics & Biotechnology for Plants and Associated Microorganisms (LMI-RICE).     

International Publications

1.         Nga T P Mai, Duc Chung Mai, Van Hiep Nguyen, Quoc Khang Le, Viet Linh Duong, and Huong Thi Mai To*(2021). Discovery of new genetic determinants that inhibit rice growth under phosphate starvation using GWAS. Journal of Plant Physiology (ISSN 0176-1617). Volume 257, February 2021, page 153340.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2020.153340

2.      Huong Thi Mai To, Khang Quoc Le, Hiep Van Nguyen, Linh Viet Duong, Hanh Thi Kieu, Quynh Anh Thi Chu, Trang Phuong Tran, Nga T. P. Mai (2020). A genome-wide association study reveals the quantitative trait locus and candidate genes that regulate phosphate efficiency in a Vietnamese rice collection. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (ISSN: 0971-5894).  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-020-00902-2

 

  1. Hieu Trang Nguyen, Huong To Thi Mai, Daniel Moukouanga, Michel Lebrun, Stephane Bellafiore, Antony Champion (2020). CRISPR/Cas9-mediateding gene editing in the jasmonate biosynthesis OsAOC gene in rice. Jasmonate in Plant Biology: Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol. 2085. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0142-6_15
  1. To Thi Mai Huong*, Nguyen H.T., Dang N.T.M., Bui T.X., Phung N.T.P., Lavarence J, Gantet P., Lebrun M., Bellafiore S. and Champion A. (2019) Unraveling genetic control of shoot and root growth of rice under jasmonate treatment conditions by genome wide association study. The Rice journal. 12(69). https://thericejournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12284-019-0327-5
  1. Hieu Trang Nguyen, Huong Thi Mai To, Michel Lebrun, Stephane Bellafiore, Antony Champion (2019). Jasmonates - the master regulator of rice development, adaptation and 
    defense. Plants. 8 (9) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31505882
  1. Thi Mai Huong To, Cosette Grandvalet, Hervé Alexandre, Raphaëlle Tourdot-Maréchal (2015): Cyclopropane Fatty Acid Synthase from Oenococcus oeni: Expression in Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris and Biochemical Characterization. Archive in Microbiology. 2015 Nov; 197(9):1063-74. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26294376
  1. Chung D Mai, Nhung TP Phung, Huong TM To, Mathieu Gonin, Giang T Hoang, Khanh L Nguyen, Vinh N Do, Brigitte Courtois, Pascal Gantet (2014). Genes controlling root development in rice.  The Rice Journal, 7:30. http://www.thericejournal.com/content/7/1/30
  1. Thi Mai Huong To, Cosette Grandvalet, Raphaëlle Tourdot-Maréchal (2011). Cyclopropanation of membrane unsaturated fatty acids is not essential for acid adaptation in Lactococcus lactis”. Applied Environmental Microbiology. Vol. 77 no. 10, 3327-3334 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3126440/

 National Publications

  1. Le Thi Van Anh, Hoang Dinh Phuc, Nguyen Huong Giang, Pham Quynh Trang, Le Ho Nguyen, Nguyen Mai Quynh, Huong Thi Mai To* (2021). Agarose-Paraffin Double Embedding Assisted With 3D Printing For High Throughput Rice Root Sectioning. Journal of Biotechnology, 19(), volume 1, 2021 (Accepted)

 

  1. Nga T.P. Mai, Khang Quốc Lê, Quỳnh Anh Thị Chu, Huong Thi Mai To*(2021). Genome wide association studies analyse the natural ability of uptaking the phosphate in Vietnamese rice landraces. Journal of Biotechnology, 19(1), volume 1, 2021. (Accepted)
  1. Huong Thi Mai To*, Nga T. P. Mai, Minh Anh Ngo, Ngan Huyen Nguyen, Kieu Thi Hanh, Thi Trang Nguyen, Hien Thi Thu Vu, Dang Khanh Tran, Anh Thi Van Le, Trang Hieu Nguyen, Antony Champion (2019). Physiological And Molecular Comparative Analysis Of Two Contrasting Rice Varieties Under Jasmonic Acid Treatment. Journal of Biotechnology (ISBN 1811-4989). https://doi.org/10.15625/1811-4989/17/4/14428

 

     4.  Nguyen Van Phuong, Nguyen Thuy Linh, Trinh Dinh Duy, Tran Le Nam Khanh, Do
         Doan Thu Giang, Ta Thi Thuy Linh, Mai Thi Phuong Nga, To Thi Mai Huong, Mai
        Duc Chung, Chu Hoang Ha, Le Tran Binh (2021). Identification and evaluation of enzymes             gelatinase, amylase, and catalase produced by rice root endophytic bacteria isolated from Hai Duong             with antimicrobial properties against Xanthomonas oryzea pv. Oryzea. Academia Journal of         Biology 2021, 43(): 1–DOI: 10.15625/2615-9023/15906

  1.  Nga T. P. Mai, Ngan Huyen Nguyen, Minh Anh Ngo, Phuong Nguyen, Michel Lebrun, Huong Thi Mai To* (2018). Investigating the genetic variability of 12 Vietnamese rice accessions (Oryza sativa L.) in response to phosphorus deficiency. Journal of Biotechnology. 16(4): 621-631, 2018. https://doi.org/10.15625/1811-4989/16/4/11016
  1.  Ngan Huyen Nguyen, Nguyet Thi Minh Dang, Thai Xuan Bui, Hieu Trang Nguyen, Antony Champion, Huong Thi Mai To*(2018). Identification of the Genetic Control of Number of Crown Roots at the early developmental stage in rice. Proceedings of National Conference of Biotechnology 2018. Publishing house of Natural Science and Technology. p1398-1404
  1. Nguyen Van Phuong, Mai Thi Phuong Nga, To Thi Mai Huong, Mai Duc Chung, Chu Hoang Ha, Le Tran Binh (2020). In vitro screening for plant growth promoting traits and antifungal activity against Magnaporthe oryzea from submerged rice root endophytic bacteria. Proceedings of 2000 Vietnam National Conference on Biotechnology. Publishing House of Hue University (ISBN: 978-604-974-562-1). p568-574
  1. Ta Thi Thuy Linh, Mai Thi Phuong Nga, To Thi Mai Huong, Mai Duc Chung, Chu Hoang Ha, Le Tran Binh, Nguyen Van Phuong (2020). In vitro screening of siderophore-producers from upland rice root endophytic bacteria for antagonistic activities against Fusarium oxysporum and Xanthomonas oryzea pv. Oryzea. Proceedings of 2000 Vietnam National Conference on Biotechnology. Publishing House of Hue University (ISBN: 978-604-974-562-1). Page 114-120

     

Conference Communications

1.      Huong Thi Mai To1,2*, Hieu Trang Nguyen2,3, Nguyet Thi Minh Dang1,2 ,Thai Xuan Bui1,2, Nhung Thi Phuong Phung2, Ngan Huyen Nguyen2, Jérémy Lavarence3, Pascal Gantet3, Michel Lebrun1,2,3, Stephane Bellafiore3 , Antony Champion3*. Genetic control of rice shoot and root growth under jasmonate treatment conditions by genome wide association study. Root research at the Forefront of Science International Symposium. Israel, July 2018.

2.      Huong Thi Mai To, Nguyet Thi Minh Dang,Thai Xuan Bui, Nhung Thi Phuong Phung, Ngan Huyen Nguyen, Hieu Trang Nguyen , Antony Champion3*. Application of Genome wide association study for dissecting some interest trait in rice. National conference on Biotechnology. Hanoi, Oct 2018

3.      Nguyet Thi Minh Dang1, Huong Thi Mai To1*, Thai Xuan Bui1, Nhung Thi Phuong Phung2, Chung Duc Mai2, Nga Phuong Mai1, Hanh Thi Kieu1, Antony Champion3*.   Discovery of QTLs associated with the number of crown roots at early stage in Vietnamese rice collection using GWAS. 15th International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics. Korea, Sept 2017

4.      Huong Thi Mai To1*, Nguyet Thi Minh Dang1, Thai Xuan Bui1, Nhung Thi Phuong Phung2, Chung Duc Mai2, Nga Phuong Mai1, Hanh Thi Kieu1, Antony Champion3*. GWAS reveals new QTLs for the sensitivity to Jasmonic Acid linked to plant growth and stress tolerance in Vietnamese rice collection. Workshop “Developing Abiotic stress resistance for rice”. Newton Fund, Sep 2017 

5.      Le Khanh Nguyen, Francois Sabot, Daniel Moukouanga, Thi Phuong Nhung Phung, Thi Mai Huong To, Laurent Laplaze, Michel Lebrun, Pascal Gantet, Brigitte Courtois. Characterization of a QTL detected in Vietnamese rice collection by GWAS and related to crown root development. 14th International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics. Montpellier, Sept 2016

6.      Thi Giang Hoang, Thi Mai Huong To, Mathieu Gonin, Jeremy Lavarence, Duc Chung Mai, Boris Parizot, Tom Beeckman, Michel Lebrun, Antony Champion, Laurent Laplaze, Pascal Gantet. Research of CRL1-regulated genes that complement crl1 mutant for the formation of crown roots. 14th International Symposium on Rice Functional Genomics. Montpellier, Sept 2016

7.      To Thi Mai Huong, Elkassis Elie, Frederic Beaudoin, Thomasset Brigitte: “A new metabolic pathway engineering to produced branched chain fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae”.  20th International Symposium on Plant Lipids, Séville, 8-13 July 2012, Spain

8.      TO Thi-Mai-Huong, Grandvalet Cosette, Tourdot-Marechal Raphaëlle: “Cyclopropanation of membrane unsaturated fatty acids is not primordial in acid stress response of Lactococcus lactis”.  Club des Bactéries Lactiques CBL 2010. 27-29 October 2010. Nancy, France

9.      Thi Mai Huong To, Cosette Grandvalet, Thu Ha Nguyen, Raphaëlle Tourdot-Maréchal : «  Rôle des acides gras cycliques (CFAs) membranaires dans l’adaptation à l’acidité chez les bactéries lactiques. Etude du gène cfa–codant la CFA Synthase ». 16th Forum for Young Researchers. June 2010. Besançon, France.

10.  TO Thi-Mai-Huong, Grandvalet Cosette, Alexandre Hervé, Tourdot-Marechal Raphaëlle: “Membrane fatty acid cyclisation in relation with lactic acid bacteria stress response”. 15th Forum for Young Researchers. 25-27 June 2009. Dijon, France

11.  TO Thi-Mai-Huong, Grandvalet Cosette, Alexandre Hervé, Tourdot-Marechal Raphaëlle: “Characterization of the O. oeni cfa gene by heterologous complementation of the Lactococcus lactis cfa-deficient strain”.    1st International conference in « Microbial stress - from molecules to systems ». 7-10th May 2009. Semmering, Austria

 

Short Training Courses

 

1.   May 2018. [France].  Workshop training on “Genome editing in Agriculture”. Travel grant funded by CIRAD Montpellier, France.

2.   Sept. 2017. [France]. Workshop training on “Omics Comparative”. Travel grant funded by CIRAD, Montpellier.

3.   June 2017. [France]. Workshop training on “Analysing and modelling phenotypes for challenging environments. Travel grant funded by CIRAD, Montpellier.