该学科组主要研究蓝藻逆境适应和细胞分化的分子机理，以及微藻生物技术。

 蓝藻也称为蓝细菌，是一类进行产氧型光合作用的原核生物，广泛分布于海洋、内陆水体、极地、热泉和一些陆生环境，对于调节大气中二氧化碳和氧气浓度起重要作用。有些蓝藻类群能够分化异形胞固定空气中的氮，适应氮营养缺乏环境。

 该学科组的研究主要集中在两个问题上，即（1）中温蓝藻抗寒越冬的分子机理，（2）丝状固氮蓝藻分化异形胞的分子机理。

 以集胞藻 (Synechocystis sp.)PCC6803作为中温蓝藻的研究模式，发现中温蓝藻可通过低温诱导积累RNA结合蛋白1，并在alpha-维生素E和亚精胺等因子的支持下，获得寒冷光照耐受性(ACLT)，形成在冬季寒冷光照胁迫下的存活力。所建立的概念、方法和鉴别出的关键因子开启了蓝藻越冬的分子遗传学研究。

 以鱼腥藻（Anabaena sp.）PCC7120作为丝状固氮蓝藻的研究模式，找到一个对于异形胞分化和图式形成起重要作用的基因丛hetZ-patU5-patU3，解析出HetZ和PatU3的作用机理；发现主调控因子HetR的识别序列、形态素小肽PatS的加工过程，以及hetR/patS与hetZ的相互调控关系。基于这些研究，提出以HetR-[HetZ/HetP]-PatS为核心的异形胞分化调控回路，为弄清异形胞分化和图式形成的分子机理作出了贡献。  

 该学科组还试图通过微藻的大量培养吸收利用NO_x和CO₂，生产油脂、不饱和脂肪酸和有价值的次生代谢物。 

    近期部分论文：

1. Yu Wang, Xudong Xu, 2005. Regulation by hetC of genes required for heterocyst differentiation and cell division in Anabaena sp. Journal of Bacteriology, 187: 8489-8493.

2. Yu Wang, Sigal Lechno-Yossef, Yangmin Gong, Qing Fan, C. Peter Wolk,Xudong Xu, 2007. Predicted glycosyl transferase genes located outside of the HEP island are required for formation of heterocyst envelope polysaccharide in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of Bacteriology, 189: 5372-5378.

3. Wei Zhang, Ye Du, Ivan Khudyakov, Qing Fan, Hong Gao, Degang Ning, C. Peter Wolk and Xudong Xu, 2007. A gene cluster that regulates both heterocyst differentiation and pattern formation in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Molecular Microbiology, 66:1429-1443.

4. Yang Yang, Chuntao Yin, Weizhi Li, Xudong Xu, 2008. a-tocopherol is essential for the acquired chill-light tolerance (ACLT) in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Journal of Bacteriology, 190:1554-1560.

5. Haibo Jiang, Renqiu Kong, Xudong Xu, 2010. The N-acetylmuramic acid 6-phosphate etherase gene promotes the growth and cell differentiation in cyanobacteria under light-limiting conditions. Journal of Bacteriology, 192:2239-2245.

6. Xiaoming Tan, Tao Zhu, Si Shen, Chuntao Yin, Hong Gao, Xudong Xu, 2011. Role of Rbp1 in the acquired chill-light tolerance of cyanobacteria. Journal of Bacteriology, 193: 2675-2683.

7. Xiaoxiang Liu, Yali Wang, Hong Gao, Xudong Xu, 2011. Identification and characterization of genes encoding two novel LEA proteins in Antarctic and temperate strains of Chlorella vulgaris. Gene, 482:51-58.

8. Hong Gao, Xudong Xu, 2012. The cyanobacterial NAD kinase gene sll1415 is required for photoheterotrophic growth and cellular redox homeostasis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Journal of Bacteriology, 194:218-224.

9. Ye Du, Yan Cai, Shengwei Hou and Xudong Xu, 2012. Identification of the HetR-recognition sequence upstream of hetZ in Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120. Journal of Bacteriology, 194: 2297-2306.

10. Weizhi Li, Hong Gao, Chuntao Yin and Xudong Xu, 2012. Identification of a novel thylakoid protein gene involved in cold acclimation in cyanobacteria. Microbiology-SGM, 158: 2440-2449.

11. Xiangzhi Zhu, Qiong Li, Chuntao Yin, Xiantao Fang, Xudong Xu, 2015. Role of spermidine in overwintering of cyanobacteria. Journal of Bacteriology, 197: 2325-2334.

12. Hong Gao, Tao Zhu, Min Xu, Shuai Wang, Xudong Xu, Renqiu Kong, 2016. pH-dependent gas vesicle formation in Microcystis. FEBS Letters, 590: 3195-3201.

13. Lianglin Zhang, Fang Zhou, Shuai Wang, Xudong Xu, 2017. Processing of PatS, a morphogen precursor, in cell extracts of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. FEBS Letters, 591: 751-759.

14. He Zhang, Shuai Wang, Yali Wang, Xudong Xu, 2018. Functional overlap of hetP and hetZ in regulation of heterocyst differentiation in Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Journal of Bacteriology, 200: e00707-17.

15. Yali Wang, Yuan Gao, Chao Li, Hong Gao, Cheng-Cai Zhang and Xudong Xu, 2018. Three substrains of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 display divergence in genomic sequences and hetC function. Journal of Bacteriology, 200: e00076-18.

16. Zhenzhen Xiong, Yali Wang, Yanling Dong, Qiya Zhang, Xudong Xu, 2019. Cyanophage A-1(L) adsorbs to lipopolysaccharides of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 via the tail protein Lipopolysaccharide-Interacting Protein (ORF36). Journal of Bacteriology, 201: e00516-18.

17. Yali Wang, Xiaoxiang Liu, Hong Gao, Hong-Mei Zhang, An-Yuan Guo, Jian Xu, Xudong Xu, 2020. Early stage adaptation of a mesophilic green alga to Antarctica: systematic increases in abundance of enzymes and LEA proteins. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 37: 849-863.

     专著专利：

    （1）一种利于收获的蓝藻的基因转移方法（ZL 00 1 28152.6）。发明人：徐旭东，孔任秋。   

    （2）产油单针藻LB50的获得及应用（ZL 2013 1 0426399.5）。发明人：孔任秋，徐旭东，席玮芳，高宏，方仙桃。   

    （3）产油单针藻LB59的获得及应用（ZL 2013 1 0428561.7）。发明人：孔任秋，徐旭东，席玮芳，高宏，方仙桃。   

    （4）一种链带藻NMX451的获得和遗传转化的方法（ZL 2013 1 0407874.4）。发明人：孔任秋，徐旭东，余桂兰，高宏，方仙桃。