Recently, the National Natural Science Foundation of China announced the approval of an international (regional) cooperation and exchange project entitled "Glycosylated Gibberellin – The Missing Piece in the Gibberellin Metabolic Pathway," led by Professor Ye Tiantian from the School of Life and Health Sciences at our university. The project has been awarded direct research funding of 1.6 million yuan. To date, our university has secured a total of 46 projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China in 2025.

This project focuses on "confirming glucosylation of gibberellins (GAs) as a reversible inactivation pathway," with the aim of identifying the key enzymes involved and systematically evaluating their physiological functions. It is jointly conducted by Wuhan textile University and Tel Aviv University in Israel, leveraging complementary expertise to advance in-depth collaborative research. Successful execution of the project is expected to provide the first definitive evidence of a reversible inactivation mechanism in GAs, thereby offering a novel perspective on GA regulation. The methodological framework developed through this research will also serve as a valuable technical platform for investigating related biological processes. Through this partnership, both institutions aim to achieve breakthrough advances in plant hormone research, with outcomes that may inform innovative strategies for crop improvement and agricultural production.

The approval of this International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Program project by the National Natural Science Foundation of China signifies broad recognition of WTU’s research innovation capacity and international collaboration standards within the domestic scientific community. The project will strengthen strategic cooperation with world-leading research teams, further enhancing our capabilities in fundamental research and expanding our international academic influence. The university commits to providing comprehensive support to ensure the project’s smooth implementation and high-quality completion, with the expectation of generating significant scientific outcomes.