I): Molecular genetics and genetic Engineering: Focused on addressing the genetic or molecular basis for critical agronomic traits such as seed size and plant storage lipids biosynthesis in developing seeds and oleaginous cells, from cDNA, transcription factor, miRNA, imprinted gene, protein enzyme to environmental factors. Also, we develop diverse SSR, SNP markers and DNA sequences to investigate the genetic diversity and relationships among germplasms, facilitating QTL mapping of interesting traits and molecular breeding in oilseed plants.

Obtain Ph. D of Botany in 2001, co-trained by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing) and Smithsonian Institution, USA (Washington DC)

Obtain Master Degree in Ethnobotany in 1998, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences

10/2012-present: Professor and chair for the group of molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineer, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

6/2008-10/2012: Professor and chair for the group of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

9/2007-6/2008: Research Assistant Professor (Senior research scientist) working at University of Georgia (Athens, GA, USA).

10/2003-8/2007: Postdoctoral researcher working at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN, USA).

10/2001-10/2003: Senior postdoctoral research fellow working at Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C, USA).

10/2012-present: Professor and chair for the group of molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineer, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

6/2008-10/2012: Professor and chair for the group of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

9/2007-6/2008: Research Assistant Professor (Senior research scientist) working at University of Georgia (Athens, GA, USA).

10/2003-8/2007: Postdoctoral researcher working at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN, USA).

10/2001-10/2003: Senior postdoctoral research fellow working at Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C, USA).

100 talents professor

Selective Publications: (* corresponding author)

• Tianquan Yang, Ronghua Xu, Jianghua Chen and Aizhong Liu*. 2016. Ketoacyl-acyl Carrier Protein Synthase I (KASI) Plays Crucial Roles in the Plant Growth and Fatty Acids Synthesis in Tobacco. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 17(7): 1287.

• Wei Xu, Tianquan Yang, Xue Dong, De-zhu Li, and Aizhong Liu*. 2016. Genomic DNA methylation analyses reveal the distinct profiles in castor bean seeds with persistent endosperms. Plant Physiology. 171(2): 1242-1258.

• Wei Xu, Zexi Chen, Naeem Ahmed, Bing Han, Qinghua Cui and Aizhong Liu*. 2016. Genome-Wide Identification, Evolutionary Analysis, and Stress Responses of the GRAS Gene Family in Castor Beans. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 17(7): 1004.

• Wang JC, Xu RH, Haque ME and Aizhong Liu*. 2016. Overexpression of ACC gene from oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi enhanced the lipid accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with increased levels of glycerol 3-phosphate substrates. Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry. 80(6): 1214-1222.

• Yang Zhang, Sujatha Mulpuri, Aizhong Liu*. 2016. Photosynthetic responses of seed coat under high light exposure increases lipid accumulation in non-green seeds of castor (Ricimus communis L.). Photosynthesis research. 128(2): 125-140

• Meng LS, Yao SQ, Wang YB and Aizhong Liu*. 2015. The ARF2-ANT-COR15A gene cascade regulates ABA signaling-mediated resistance of large seeds to drought in Arabidopsis. Journal of Cell Science. 128, 3922-3932

• Nkatha Muriira, Wei Xu, Alice Muchugi, Jianchu Xu and Aizhong Liu*. 2015. De novo sequencing and assembly analysis of transcriptome in the Sodom Apple (Calotropis gigantea). BMC Genomics. 16:273.

• Meng LS, Yao S.Q., Wang Y.B and Aizhong Liu*. 2015. Arabidopsis AINTEGUMENTA (ANT) Mediates Salt Tolerance by Trans-repressing SCABP8. Journal of Cell Science. 128: 2919-2927.

• Meng LS and Aizhong Liu*. 2015. Light signaling induces anthocyanin biosynthesis via AN3 mediated COP1 expression. Plant Signaling & Behavior. 10:9, e1001223.

• Yang Zhang, Sujatha Mulpuri and Aizhong Liu*. 2015. Exogenous glutamine increases lipid accumulation in developing seeds of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) Cultured in vitro. Archives of Biological Sciences. 67: 90.

• Ruling Wang, Jiancai Wang, Ronghua Xu, Zhen Fang and Aizhong Liu* 2014. Oil production by the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi using diverse carbon sources. BioResources 9 (4): 7027-7040. 

• Wang Jiancai, Ronghua Xu and Aizhong Liu* 2014. IRDL Cloning: A one-tube, zero-background, easy-to-use, directional cloning method improves throughput in recombinant DNA preparation. PLoS One. 9(9): e107907.

• Umashankar Chandrasekaran, Aizhong Liu*. 2015. Stage specific metabolization of triacylglycerides during seed germination of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 95:1764-1766.

• Wang Xiaojuan, Aizhong Liu*. 2014. Expression of genes controlling unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis and oil deposition in developing seeds of Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.). Lipids. 49:1019–1031.

• Umashankar Chandrasekaran, Wei Xu, Aizhong Liu*. Transcriptome profiling identifies ABA mediated regulatory changes towards storage filling in developing seeds of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). Cell & Bioscience. 4:33.

• Zhengwei Jin, Umashankar Chandrasekaran and Aizhong Liu*. 2014. Genome wide analysis of the Dof transcription factors in castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). Genes & Genomics. 36:527–537.

• Wei Xu, Mengyuan Dai, fei Li, Aizhong Liu* 2014. Genomic imprinting, methylation and parent-of-origin effects in reciprocal hybrid endosperm of castor bean. Nucleic Acids Research. 42 (11): 6987-6998. 

• Wei Xu, Li Fei, Lizhen Ling, Aizhong Liu*. 2013. Genome-wide survey and expression profiles of the AP2/ERF family in castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). BMC genomics. 14:785.

• Zhengwei Jin, Wei Xu and Aizhong Liu*. 2013. Genomic surveys and expression analysis of bZIP gene family in castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). Planta. 239(2):299-312. 

• Ronghua Xu, Tianquan Yang, Ruling Wang, Aizhong Liu* 2013. Characterization of DGAT1 and DGAT2 from Jatropha curcas and their nonredundant functions in storage lipid biosynthesis. Functional Plant Biology. 41(3) 321-329.

• Umashankar Chandrasekaran, Aizhong Liu*. 2013. Seed filling and fatty acid changes in developing seeds of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). Australian Jouranl of Crop Sciences. 7: 1761-1765. 

• Xiaojuan Wang, Ronghua Xu, Ruling Wang, Aizhong Liu* 2012. Transcriptome analysis of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seeds at two developmental stages. BMC genomics, 13: 716.

• Umashankar Chandrasekaran, Aizhong Liu*. 2013. Endogenous abscisic acid signaling towards storage reserve filling in developing seed tissues of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.). Plant Growth Regulation. 72(2):203-207. 

• Yinxian Shi, Huabin Hu, Youkai Xu andAizhong Liu*. 2014. An ethnobotanical study of the less known wild edible figs (genus Ficus) native to Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.10: 68.

• Umashankar Chandrasekaran, Xiaojuan Wang and Aizhong Liu*. 2013. Characterization, Expression profiling and Heterologous function analysis of Two Oleosin Genes PvOle1 and PvOle2 from Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.). International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 15(3): 435-442.

• Umashankar Chandrasekaran, Aizhong Liu*. 2014. Differential expression patterns of lipid genes in developing seeds (Ricinus communis L.). Bangladesh Journal of Botany 43(1): 37-43.

• Tainquan Yang, Ronghua Xu and Aizhong Liu* 2013. Cloning and characterization of diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene (NtDGAT2) from tobacco. Plant Physiology Journal. 49: 81-88.

• Wei Xu, Weirong Bai, Guangjun Wen, Huyin Huai, Aizhong Liu*. 2013. Influences of Harvesting on Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Anemone altaica (Ranunculaceae), a Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herb. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 47: 121-125.

• Wei Xu, Sujatha Mulpuri, Aizhong Liu* 2012. Genetic diversity in the Jatropha genus and its potential application. CAB Reviews. 7: 059.

• Wei Xu, Qing Yang, Huyin Huai and Aizhong Liu* 2012. Development of EST-SSR markers and investigation of genetic relatedness in Tung tree. Tree genetics and genomes, 8: 933-940.

• Wei Xu, Qing Yang, Huyin Huai and Aizhong Liu* 2011. Microsatellite makers development in Tung trees (Vernicia montana and V. fordii, Euphorbiaceae).American Journal of Botany, 98: e226-228.

• YANG Chun and Aizhong Liu* 2011. Development of EST-SSR markers from Jatropha curcas (Jatropha curcas and their application in genetic diversity analysis among germplasms.Plant Diversity and Resources, 33: 529-534.

• Ronghua Xu, Ruling Wang and Aizhong Liu* 2011. Expression Profiles of Genes Involved in Fatty Acid and Triacylglycerol Synthesis in Developing Seeds of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.). Biomass and Bioenergy 35: 1683-1692.

• Nanzhang, Ronghua Xu, Xiaozhu Liu and Aizhong Liu*. 2011. Cloning and Sequence Analysis of sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate Acyltransferase Gene (JcGPAT) from Jatropha curcas L. Plant Physiology Journal. 47: (2) 181-188.

• Qiu, lijun, Chun Yang, Bo Tan, Junbo Yang, Aizhong Liu*. 2010. Exploiting EST databases for the development and characterization of EST-SSR markers in castor (Ricinus communis L.). BMC Plant Biology 10: 278.

• Aizhong Liu, W. John Kress, and Li De-Zhu. 2010. A phylogeny of the banana family (Musaceae) based on nuclear Ribosomal (ITS) and Chloroplast (trnL-F) evidence. Taxon 59 (1): 132-140.

• Huai, Huyin, Qinqin Dong and Aizhong Liu*. 2010. Ethnomedicinal Analysis of Toxic Plants from Five Ethnic Groups in China.Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 8: 169-179. 

• Aizhong Liu, Nicklas Samils, Brian Higgins, Jan Stenlid, Bernard Slippers, C. Joseph Narin, and Sarah F. Covert. 2009.Development of nine microsatellite markers for Phlebiopsis gigantea. Conservation Genetics.10: 1529-1532.

• Aizhong Liu and John Burke. 2006. Patterns of nucleotide diversity in wild and cultivated sunflower. Genetics 173: 321-330.

• Kress, W. John, Aizhong Liu,Mark Newman, and Jing-Jun Li. 2005. The molecular phylogeny of Alpinia (Zingiberaceae): A complex and polyphyletic genus of gingers. American Journal of Botany. 92: 167-178.

• Aizhong Liu,W. John Kress, and Long Chun-Lin. 2003. Customary use and conservational attention to Musella lasiocarpa(Musaceae), an endemic plant to China. Economic Botany. 57: 279-281.

• Aizhong Liu, W. John Kress, Wang Hong, and Li De-Zhu. 2002. Insect pollination of Musella lasiocarpa (Musaceae), a monotypic genus endemic to Yunnan. Plant Systematics and Evolution.235: 135-146.

• Aizhong Liu, Li De-Zhu, Wang Hong, and W. John Kress. 2002. Ornithopilous and chiropterophilous pollination in Musa itinerans (Musaceae), a pioneer Species in Tropical Rain Forests in Yunnan, SW China. Biotropica, 34: 254-260.

• Aizhong Liu, Li De-Zhu, and Li Xi-Wen. 2002. Taxonomic notes for wild bananas (Musa) from China.Botanical studies. 43: 77-81.

• Aizhong Liu, Li De-Zhu, Wang Hong. 2001. Pollination Ecology of a Pioneer Species: Musa itinerans (Musaceae) in Xishuangbanna, S Yunnan, China. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology  43: 319-322.

• Aizhong Liu, Pei Sheng-Ji, and Chen San-Yang. 1999. Plant Worship of the Yi People in Chuxiong of Yunnan, China. Ethnobotany 11 (1) 1-8.

• Aizhong Liu, De-Zhu Li 2001. The Identity of Musa wilsonii in Chinese Botanical Literature. Acta Botanica Yunnanica. 23: 77-81.   

• Aizhong Liu, Sanyang Chen, Shengji Pei. 2000. Yi nationality's sacred groves and biodiversity conservation in Chuxiong,Yunnan. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology. 11(4): 489-492.    

• Aizhong Liu, Sanyang Chen, Shengji Pei. 2000. An investigation and study on the plant worship by Yi people in Chuxiong, Yunnan. Chinese Biodiversity. 8(1): 130-136.    

• Aizhong Liu, Chun-lin Long. 1999. Advance in ethnobotanical researches. Advance in Plant Science Researches. 2: 213-219.

• Aizhong Liu. 2003. Musacecae. In: W. John Kress et al. (eds), Checklist of the Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, and Climbers of Myanmar. Washington DC: Smithsonian Press. P. 63-65.   

• Aizhong Liu and W. John Kress. 2005. A plant diversity center in southwest China and northeast Myanmar, the Gaoligong Mountains. In: Plant Conservation: A Natural History Approach, Gary A. Krupnick and W. John Kress (eds), The University of Chicago Press. Pp. 86-92. 

I): Molecular genetics and genetic Engineering: Focused on addressing the genetic or molecular basis for critical agronomic traits such as seed size and plant storage lipids biosynthesis in developing seeds and oleaginous cells, from cDNA, transcription factor, miRNA, imprinted gene, protein enzyme to environmental factors. Also, we develop diverse SSR, SNP markers and DNA sequences to investigate the genetic diversity and relationships among germplasms, facilitating QTL mapping of interesting traits and molecular breeding in oilseed plants.

have intensive cooperations with scientists from USA, Japan, India, Thailand and Africa.

已指导学生

徐荣华  博士研究生  071001-植物学  

杨春  硕士研究生  071001-植物学  

梅瑞君  硕士研究生  071001-植物学  

王晓娟  博士研究生  071001-植物学  

张洋  博士研究生  071001-植物学  

邱丽俊  博士研究生  071001-植物学  

敖涛  硕士研究生  071001-植物学  

廖晓佳  硕士研究生  071010-生物化学与分子生物学  

徐伟  博士研究生  071001-植物学  

代梦媛  硕士研究生  071001-植物学  

和珊  硕士研究生  071010-生物化学与分子生物学  

杨华  博士研究生  071001-植物学  

于安民  博士研究生  071010-生物化学与分子生物学  

王彬  博士研究生  071010-生物化学与分子生物学  

韩冰  博士研究生  071010-生物化学与分子生物学  

王再青  博士研究生  071001-植物学  

吴迪  博士研究生  071010-生物化学与分子生物学  

王文博  博士研究生  071010-生物化学与分子生物学  

武士波  博士研究生  071001-植物学  

现指导学生

谭清  博士研究生  071010-生物化学与分子生物学