Hongyan Zhu

Assistant Professor

Faculty

Contact Information
University of Kentucky, PSS
KTRDC
1401 University Drive (Office:117)
Lexington, KY 40546-0236
(859) 257-3647
(859) 323-1077
hzhu4@uky.edu

SPECIALITY
Plant Genetics and Genomics

EDUCATION
Ph.D., Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 2001

M.S., Genetics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 1997

M.S., Statistics and Quantitative Genetics, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China, 1991

B.S., Agronomy, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China, 1988

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2004-present, Assistant Professor of Plant Genomics, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky

2002-2004, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California-Davis

1998-2001, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Plant Pathology and Genetics Program, Texas A&M University

1997-1998, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Crop Sciences and Genetics Program, Oregon State University

1995-1997, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy and Genetics Program, Kansas State University

1991-1994, Assistant Wheat Breeder, Nanjing Agricultural Institute, Nanjing, China

1988-1991, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China

RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interests focus on: 1) the use of comparative genomics tools to understand the evolution of structure and function of plant genomes, 2) the integration of comparative structural genomics with comparative plant biology, and 3) the translation of information gained from model systems into the genetic improvement of economically important crops. Current research focuses on two extremes of plant-microbe interactions: Defense and Symbiosis. Both research topics involve ‘translational' research from model legumes to crop legumes and to non-legumes. For plant disease resistance, our long-term goal is to use the model legume M. truncatula as a surrogate to clone and characterize disease resistance genes against alfalfa pathogens. For symbiosis, we are using rice as a model system to characterize the function of non-legume counterparts of legume genes that are required for root symbioses, with the ultimate goal to understand the evolution of root symbioses in plants.

TEACHING
Plant Genomics; 3-credits
Genomics is reshaping the life sciences, providing high-throughput tools to decipher function of individual genes and to characterize their regulation and interactions. This course is designed for graduate and advanced undergraduate students who are interested in recent discoveries and cutting-edge technologies in plant genomics. The course will cover structural genomics, functional genomics, comparative genomics, translational genomics (i.e., application of genomics tools to crop improvement), and basic concepts of bioinformatics. From this course, students will learn strategies for structural and functional genome analysis, including genome mapping, genome sequencing, DNA-chip based transcriptional profiling systems, high throughput forward and reverse genetics, and the basic bioinformatics tools for genomic analysis.

Research/Teaching Publications

Refereed Journal Articles
Chen C, Fan C, Gao M, Zhu H 2009. Antiquity and function of CASTOR and POLLUX, the twin ion channel-encoding genes key to the evolution of root symbioses in plants. Plant Physiology, 149: 306-317
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Ameline-Torregrosa C, Wang B, O'Bleness M, Deshpande S, Zhu H, Roe B, Young ND, Cannon B. 2008. Identification and characterization of NBS-LRR genes in the model plant Medicago truncatula. Plant Physiology 146: 5-21
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Ane J-M, Zhu H, Frugoli J. 2008. Recent advances in Medicago truncatula genomics. International Journal of Plant Genomics doi: 10.1155/2008/256597
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Chen C, Ane J-M, Zhu H 2008. Os-IPD3, an ortholog of the Medicago truncatula DMI3 interacting protein IPD3, is required for mycorrhizal symbiosis in rice. New Phytologist 180: 311-315
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Yang S, Gao M, Xu C, Gao J, Deshpande S, Lin S, Roe B, Zhu H 2008. Alfalfa benefits from Medicago truncatula: The RCT1 gene from M. truncatula confers broad-spectrum resistance to anthracnose in alfalfa. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 105: 12164-12169
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Chen C, Gao M, Liu J, Zhu H 2007. Fungal symbiosis in rice requires an ortholog of a legume common symbiosis gene encoding a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Plant Physiology 145:1619-1628
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Yang S, Gao M, Deshpande S, Lin S, Roe B, Zhu H 2007. Genetic and physical localization of an anthracnose resistance gene in Medicago truncatula. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 116:45-52
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Zhu H, Riely B, Burns NJ, and Ane JM 2006. Tracing non-legume orthologs of legume genes required for nodulation and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses. Genetics, 172:2491-2499
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Zhu H, Choi HK, Cook DR and Shoemaker RC 2005. Bridging model and crop legumes through comparative genomics. Plant Physiology 137: 1189-1196
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Choi HK, Mun JH, Kim DJ, Zhu H, Baek JM, Mudge J, Roe B, Ellis N, Doyle J, Kiss GB, Young ND and Cook DR 2004. Estimating genome conservation between crop and model legume species. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 101:15289-15294
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Zhu H, Kim DJ, Baek JM, Choi HK, Ellis L, Kuester H, McCombie WR, Peng HM and Cook, DR 2003. Syntenic relationships between Medicago truncatula and Arabidopsis thaliana reveal extensive divergence of genome organization. Plant Physiology, 131: 1018-1026
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Cannon SB, Zhu H, Baumgarten AM, Spangler R, May G, Cook DR and Young ND 2002. Diversity, distribution, and ancient taxonomic relationships within the TIR and non-TIR NBS-LRR resistance gene subfamilies. J Mol Evol, 54: 548-562
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Zhu H, Cannon S, Young ND and Cook DR 2002. Phylogeny and genomic organization of the TIR and non-TIR NBS-LRR resistance gene family in Medicago truncatula. MPMI, 15:529-539
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Cook DR, Kim D, Zhu H and Uribe P 2000. Plant-pathogen interactions in Medicago truncatula. Grain Legumes Magazine, 28: 20.
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Zhu H, Briceño G, Dovel R, Hayes PM, Liu BH, Liu CT and Ullrich SE 1999. Molecular breeding for grain yield in barley: an evaluation of QTL effects in a spring barley cross. Theor Appl Genet, 98: 772-779
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Zhu H, Gilchrist L, Hayes P, Kleinhofs A, Kudrna D, Liu Z, Prom L, Steffenson B, Toojinda T and Vivar H 1999. Does function follow form? Principal QTLs for Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance are coincident with QTLs for inflorescence traits and plant height in a doubled-haploid population of barley. Theor Appl Genet, 99: 1221-1232.
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Zhu H, Muthukrishnan S, Krishnaveni S, Wilde G, Jeoung J-M and Liang GH 1998. Biolistic transformation of sorghum using a rice chitinase gene. Journal of Genetics & Breeding, 52: 243-252
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Mo H, Huang Z and Zhu H 1997. Statistical methods for genetic analysis of seed traits in diallel cross designs. Journal of Jiangsu Agricultural College, 18: 25-30.
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

Zhu, H., Mo, H. and Huang, Z. 1995. Genetic analysis of grain protein and gum content in barley (H. vulgare L.). Journal of Jiangsu Agricultural College, 16: 39-46.
Authors in PSS Dept.: Hongyan Zhu

This person page last updated on 2008-12-03