Weidong Luo

Mr. Weidong Luo

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 September 2025 in Plants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YXYang Xue
Yang Xue
RZRuixiang Zhang
Ruixiang Zhang
TLTie Li
Tie Li
QDQindi Deng
Qindi Deng
WLWeidong Luo
Weidong Luo
NCNan Chai
Nan Chai
Ginsenosides, the primary bioactive components of Panax ginseng, exhibit diverse pharmacological properties, ranging from anticancer to neuroprotective effects. However, traditional production by ginseng cultivation faces limitations due to extended growth cycles, insufficient yields, intricate extraction processes, and significant environmental dependencies. Synthetic biology and synthetic metabolic engineering offer promising alternatives for sustainable manufacturing of essential bioactive compounds, including ginsenosides. First, this review describes the ginsenoside biosynthesis pathways, emphasizing crucial enzymes (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase, squalene epoxidase, dammarenediol-II synthase, amyrin synthase, and various UDP-glycosyltransferases) and their regulatory networks. Understanding these fundamental pathways enables rational engineering of production systems. Second, it examines current synthetic biology approaches, encompassing plant cell, tissue, and hairy root cultures, engineered microbial hosts including Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli, and cell-free enzymatic synthesis. Third, it evaluates the medicinal significance, market prospects, and industrial feasibility of these biomanufactured compounds. Finally, it analyzes the sustainability of production models and explores the emerging potential of engineered plant chassis. These advanced methodologies directly address traditional agricultural constraints and establish a robust framework for future ginsenoside synthesis.

1 February 2026 in The Crop Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YXYang Xue
Yang Xue
QDQindi Deng
Qindi Deng
NCNan Chai
Nan Chai
XLXiaojia Li
Xiaojia Li
WLWeidong Luo
Weidong Luo
Qinlong ZhuQinlong Zhu
Qinlong Zhu