Dr. Baozhong Meng

• B.Sc. Hebei Agricultural University
• Ph.D. Cornell University
• Postdoctoral Associate: Cornell University

Viruses are simple but fascinating microbes.  Because they lack cellular structures, viruses depend entirely on cellular organisms for their perpetuation.  Viruses are important in multiple ways.  First, they are major pathogens of humans, animals, and plants. In fact, they have caused several pandemics including the Spanish Flu, HIV/AIDS, SARS, and yes, the ongoing COVID-19. Second, reliance of viruses on cellular structures and functions has made viruses ideal tools to study and advance several biological disciplines such as molecular biology, cell biology and immunology. To date, sixteen Nobel prize-winning discoveries and advancement in science and medicine were made through research involving viruses as the experimental systems.

Research in my laboratory encompasses both basic and applied aspects, with the goal of understanding viruses and viral diseases for the betterment of agriculture. Our research is funded by federal (NSERC), provincial (OMAFRA) as well as the grape and wine industry.  This goal is being achieved through investigations using multi-disciplinary approaches including those used in virology, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics and through broad collaborations.  Our research involves several important viruses of grapevine, which include Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus (GRSPaV, a member of the family Betaflexiviridae) and Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3, a member of the Closteroviridae).  

We were the first to unravel the genome sequence and structure of GRSPaV.  We have discovered that GRSPaV is composed of a wide range of sequence variants.  We have demonstrated that most commercial grape varieties are infected with multiple sequence variants and proposed that the existence of multiple viral variants in a single grapevine likely resulted from grafting between scions and rootstocks.  Furthermore, we have developed serological and nucleic acid-based methods for the rapid detection of GRSPaV.  Recently, we have developed infectious cDNA clones and GFP-tagged variants for three strains of GRSPaV and GLRaV-3.  We are exploring the possibility of developing viruses into virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vectors for beneficial applications such as the elucidation of grapevine genes and genetic sequences.

Current Research Directions:

• Mechanisms for mitochondrial targeting; structure and cellular localization of viral replication complex of GLRaV-3
• Elucidation of function of the novel Alkylation B (AlkB) domain in the replicase polyprotein of grapevine viruses that belong to viral families Betaflexiviridae and Closteroviridae.
• Development and optimization of agrobacterium-based infection systems for pathogenic grapevine viruses
• Evolution biology, genetic diversity and bio-informatics of major grapevine viruses.
• Application of NGS technologies for the discovery and diagnosis of grapevine viruses.
• Development and application of highly efficient and economical technologies for the diagnosis of grapevine viruses.

Publications (2005-present

Karki, D., Dolja, V.V., Meng, B. AlkB domains play critical roles in reproduction and pathogenesis of plant RNA viruses. Submitted to PLOS Pathogens on Nov 7, 2025.

Fust, C., Lameront, P., Shabanian, M., Song, Y., Abou Kubaa, R., Bester, R., Maree, H.J., Al Rwahnih, M. and Meng, B. 2025. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3: an enemy to global grape and wine industry but a gold mine for scientific discovery. Journal of Experimental Botany. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/eraf039

Lameront, P., Shabanian, M., Currie, L., Fust, C., Li, C., Clews, A., Meng, B. 2024. Elucidating the subcellular localization of GLRaV-3 proteins encoded by the unique gene block in N. benthamiana suggests implications on plant host suppression. BioMolecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/ biom14080977

Lee, L., Reynolds, A., Lan, Y., and Meng, B. 2024. Identification of unique electromagnetic signatures from GLRaV-3 infected grapevine leaves in different stages of virus development. Smart Agricultural Technology 8:100464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atech.2024.100464  

Kakish, JE, Mehrani, Y, Kodeeswaran, A, Geronimo, K, Clark, ME, van Vloten, JP, Karimi, K, Mallard, BA, Meng, B, Bridle, BW & Knapp, JP 2024. The Effect of Low Anatomical Temperatures on Oncolytic Rhabdoviruses. Journal of General Virology 105:002010. DOI 10.1099/jgv.0.002010

Tzanetakis I.E. and the Global Phantom Agent Consortium. 2024. Streamlining global germplasm exchange: Integrating scientific rigor and common sense to exclude phantom agents from regulation. Plant Disease, 109:736-755. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-04-24-0745-FE

Shabanian, M., Li, C.L., Ebadi, A., Dolja, V. and Meng, B. 2023. Optimization of a Protocol for Launching Grapevine Infection with the Biologically Active cDNA Clones of a Virus. Pathogens. 2023, 12, 1314. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12111314

Xiao, H., Meng, B. 2023. Molecular and Metagenomic Analyses Reveal High Prevalence and Complexity of Viral Infections in French-American Hybrids and North American Grapes. Viruses. 15 (9), 1949. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15091949 Published online 2023.09.19

Xiao, H., Roscow, O., Hooker, J., Li, C., Maree, H.J., Meng, B. 2023. Concerning the etiology of Syrah decline: a fresh perspective on an old and complex issue facing the global grape and wine industry. Viruses 2023, 15, 23.  https://doi.org/10.3390/v15010023.

Song, Y., Hanner, R., Meng, B. 2022. RNA-Seq analysis unveils complex virus-host interactions in grapevine ‘Cabernet Franc’. Viruses special issue “A Tribute to Giovanni P. Martelli” 14, 1831. doi.org/10.3390/v14081831.

Wu, R., Meng, B., Corredig, M., Griffiths, M. 2023. Rapid detection of hepatitis A virus in foods using a bioluminescent assay in real-time (BART) and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) technology. Food and Environmental Virology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12560-022-09548-7

Voncina, D., Diaz-Lara, A., Prener, D., Al Rwahnih, M., Stevens, K., Juric, S., Malenica, N., Simon, S., Meng, B., Maletic, E., Fulgosi, H. and Cvjetkovic, B. 2022. Virus and Virus-like pathogens in the grapevine virus collection of Croatian autochthonous grapevine cultivars.   Plants 2022, 11, 1485. https://doi.org/10.3390/ plants11111485

Chao, S.F., Wang, H.R; Yan, Q., Chen, L., Chen, G.Q., Wu, Y.H.; Jin, L.X., Meng, B., Zhu, X.D., Feng, G.Z. Metatranscriptomic sequencing suggests the presence of novel RNA

viruses in rice transmitted by brown planthopper. Viruses 2021, 13, 2464. https://doi.org/10.3390/v13122464

Song, Y., Hanner, R.H., Meng, B. 2021. Genome-wide screening of novel RT-qPCR reference genes for study of GLRaV-3 infection in wine grapes and refinement of an RNA isolation protocol for grape berries. Plant Methods. 17:110. doi.org/10.1186/s13007-021-00808-4

Wu, R., Meng, B., Corredig, M., Griffiths, M.W. 2022. Efficient capturing and sensitive detection of hepatitis A virus from solid foods (green onion, strawberry, and mussel) using protamine-coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles and real-time RT-PCR. Food Microbiology 102: 103921. Available online on 2021.10.01. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2021.103921

Shabanian, M., Xiao, H., Meng, B. 2020. Seasonal dynamics and tissue distribution of two major viruses associated with grapevine leafroll under cool climate conditions. European Journal of Plant Pathology 158:1017-1031. DOI 10.1007/s10658-020-02137-z

Greig, N. Luong, J., Hooker, J., Stobbs, L.W., and Meng, B. 2019. Optimization of a direct real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase reaction (DRT-qPCR) assay for the detection of Grapevine rupestris stem-pitting associated viruses (GRSPaV) in grapevine. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. DOI: 10.1080/07060661.2019.1655483.

Wu, R., Xing, X., Corredig, M., Meng, B. and Griffiths, M.W. 2019. Concentration of hepatitis A virus in milk using protamine-coated iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles. Food Microbiology 84 (2019) 103236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2019.05.020

Moore, C., Meng, B. 2019. Prediction of the molecular boundary and functionality of novel viral AlkB domains using homology modeling and principal component analysis. Journal of General Virology. 100 (4): 691-703.

Xiao, H., Li, C., Al Rwahnih, M., Dolja, V. Meng, B. 2019. Metagenomic analysis of grapevine reveals complex virome including two new and divergent variants of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3.  Plant Disease 103 (6): 1275-1285. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-18-1503-RE

Diaz-Lara, A., Klaassen, V., Stevens, K., Sudarshana, M.R., Rowhani, A., Maree, H.J., Xhooi, K.M., Blouin, A.G., Habili, N., Song, Y., K. Aram, K. Arnold, M.L. Cooper, L. Wunderlich, M. C. Battany, L. J. Bettiga, R. J. Smith, R. Bester, H. Xiao, B. Meng, J.E. Preece, D. Golino, M. Al Rwahnih. 2018. Characterization of grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 genetic variants and application towards RT-qPCR assay design.  PLoS ONE 13(12):e0208862. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0208862

Xiao, H., Shabanian, M., Moore, C., Li, C. and Meng, B. 2018. Survey for major viruses in commercial Vitis vinifera wine grapes in Ontario.  Virology Journal. 15: 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-018-1036-1

Meng, B. and Rowhani, A. 2017. Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus. Chapter 12 in Grapevine Viruses: Molecular Biology, Diagnostics and Management. Springer, 2017. 

Angelini, E., Aboughanem-Sabanadzovic, N., Dolja, V.V. and Meng, B. 2017. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 2. Chapter 7 in Grapevine Viruses: Molecular Biology, Diagnostics and Management. Springer, 2017.

Xiao, H. & Meng, B. 2016. First report of Grapevine asteroid mosaic-associated virus and Grapevine rupestris vein feathering virus in grapevines in Canada. Plant Disease 100, 2175.

Dolja, V.V. and Meng, B. 2017. Biotechnology applications of grapevine viruses. Chapter 31 in Grapevine Viruses: Molecular Biology, Diagnostics and Management. Springer, 2017.

Xiao, H., Shabanian, M., McFadden-Smith, W. & Meng, B. 2016. First report of Grapevine Pinot gris virus in commercial grapevines in Canada. Plant Disease 100, 1030.

Dolja, V.V., Meng, B. and Martelli, G.P. 2017. Evolutionary aspects of grapevine viruses. Chapter 32 in Grapevine Viruses: Molecular Biology, Diagnostics and Management. Springer, 2017.

Xiao, H., Kim, W.S. & Meng, B. 2015. Comparison and improvement of methodologies for isolation of quality RNA from diverse woody plant species and utilization in detection of viral pathogens. Virology Journal 12, 171. DOI 10.1186/s12985-015-0376-3

Prosser, S., Xiao, H., Li, C., Nelson, R. S. & Meng, B. 2015. Subcellular localization and membrane association of the replicase protein of Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus, family Betaflexiviridae. Journal of General Virology 96, 921-932. DOI 10.1099/jgv.0.000019

Meng, B., Venkataraman, S., Li, C., Wang, W., Dayan-Glick, C. & Mawassi, M. 2013.  Construction and biological activities of the first infectious cDNA clones of the genus Foveavirus.  Virology 435, 453-462. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2012.09.045

Mann, K. & Meng, B. 2013. Partial complementation of cell-to-cell movement of Potato virus X by the movement proteins of a distantly related virus. Virus Genes, 47, 93-104. DOI 10.1007/s11262-013-0908-0

Tian, X., Zheng, Y., Chintaluri, K. & Meng, B. 2013. First report of Impatiens necrotic spot virus on Hiemalis Begonia (Benonia x hiemalis) in Canada. Plant Disease 97, 291.

Terlizzi, F., Li, C., Ratti, C., Qu, W., Credi, R. & Meng, B. 2011. Detection of multiple sequence variants of Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus using primers targeting the polymerase domain and partial genome sequencing of a novel variant.  Annals of Applied Biology 159, 478-490. doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.2011.00512.x

Meng, B. & Li, C. 2010. The capsid protein of Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus contains a typical nuclear localization signal and targets to the nucleus. Virus Research 153, 212-217. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2010.08.003

Lunden, S., Meng, B., Avery, J. Jr. & Qiu, W. 2010. Association of Grapevine fanleaf virus, Tomato ringspot virus and Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus with a grapevine vein-clearing complex on Chardonnay. European Journal of Plant Pathology 126,135-144. DOI 10.1007/s10658-009-9527-y

Rebelo, A.R., Niewiadomski, S., Krell, P. & Meng, B. 2008. Exploring the subcellular localization of proteins encoded by a foveavirus infecting grapevines. Virus Research 138, 57-69. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2008.08.011

Meng, B. & Gonsalves, D. 2008. Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus. Chapter 12 (Pages 201-222) In: Characterization, Diagnosis & Management of Plant Viruses. Edited by G. Rao et al. Studium Press, LLC, Houston, Texas.

Prosser, S., Goszczynski, D. E. & Meng, B. 2007. Molecular analysis of viral double-stranded RNAs reveals complex infection of grapevines with multiple viruses. Virus Research 124, 151-159. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2006.10.014

Meng, B. & Gonsalves, D. 2007. Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus: A decade of research and future perspectives. Plant Viruses 1, 52-62 (Review).

Meng, B., Rebelo, A. R. & Fisher, H. 2006. Genetic diversity analyses of grapevine Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus reveal distinct population structures in scion versus rootstock varieties. Journal of General Virology 87, 1725-1733. DOI 10.1099/vir.0.81533-0

Meng, B., Li, C., Wang, W., Goszczynski, D. & Gonsalves, D. 2005. The complete genome sequences of two new variants of Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus and comparative analyses. Journal of General Virology 86, 1555-1560. DOI 10.1099/vir.0.80815-0

Meng, B., Li, C., Goszczynski, D. & Gonsalves, D. 2005. Genome sequence and structure of two biologically distinct strains of GLRaV-2 and sequence analysis. Virus Genes 31, 31-41.

• The World of Viruses (MICR*3330)
• Molecular Virology (MICR*4330)
• Foundations in Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG*2040)
• Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology I (MBG*3350)
• Research Projects in Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB*4500 and MCB*4510)
• Research Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB*6500/7500)

Current and Past Lab Members

Graduate Students-Current

Maya Abboud (M.Sc.)

Catherine Fust (Ph.D.)

Patrick Lameront (Ph.D)

Graduate Students-Past:

Dipendra Karki (Ph.D.)

Mehdi Shabanian (Ph.D.)

Kyle Lanteigne-Wilkins (M.Sc.)

Yashu Song (Ph.D.)

Olivia Roscow (M.Sc.)

Clayton Moore (M.Sc. BINF)

Julia Hooker (M.Sc.)

Molly Udaskin (M.Sc.)

Krin S. Mann (M.Sc.)

Sean W. Prosser (M.Sc.)

John Rak (M.Sc.)

Ana Rita Rebelo (M.Sc.)
 

Other Personnel:

Huogen Xiao (Postdoctoral Research Associate)

Caihong (Sunny) Li (Research Associate)

Tanvir Bashar (Laboratory Research Assistant)

Srividhya Venkataraman (Postdoctoral Fellow)

Weizhou Wang (Postdoctoral Fellow)

Andrew McCartney (Postdoctoral Fellow)

Youfen Shang (Visiting Scientist)

Xi-hong Yu (Visiting Scientist)

Xu Yang (Visiting Scientist)

Ali Ebadi (Visiting Scientist)