Lichao Zhang

Lichao Zhang

Center of Crop Genes and Molecular Design

Institute of Crop Sciences

No.12 Zhongguancun South Street

Beijing, 100081, China

Tel:86-10-82105828

Fax:86-10-82105828

Email: zhanglichao@caas.cn

Educations

l  B.S. in Biotechnology, Northwest A&F University (2002-2006)

l  M.S. in Biochemistry and molecular biology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2006-2009)  

l  Ph.D. in Biochemistry and molecular biology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (2010-2013)

Working Experience

l  Jan 2023-now, Professor, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

l  Jan 2017 - Dec 2022, Associate Professor, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

l  Jul 2013 - Jan 2017, Assistant Professor, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Research Interests

l  Identification of Key Genes and Elucidating Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Yield-Related Traits in Wheat

l  Evaluation of Breeding Value for Elite Wheat Genes and Development of New Germplasm for Wheat Improvement

Academic Qualifications

l  2022 Received a National-Level Talent Honor

Selected Publications (*corresponding authors)

1.Liu T, Li D, Xie Z, Cui G, Hu Y, Xu J, Yang Z, Chen Y, Jia J, Xia C, Kong X, Liu X, Xin P, Chu J, Cao X^†, Sun J^†, Zhang L^†. VRN1 regulates heading and plant height in wheat by activating gibberellin biosynthesis. Plant Communications, 2025, 101325. (^†Co-corresponding author)

2. Wu L†, Xie Z, Li D, Chen Y, Xia C, Kong X^† , Liu X^† and Zhang L^†. TaMYB72 directly activates the expression of TaFT to promote heading and enhance grain yield traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 2024, 66(7): 1266. (^†Co-corresponding author)

3. Dong C*, Zhang L*, Zhang Q*, Yang Y, Li D, Xie Z, Cui G, Chen Y, Wu, Li Z, Liu G, Zhang X, Liu C, Chu J, Zhao G, Xia C, Jia J, Sun J†, Kong X†, Liu X†. Tiller Number1 encodes an ankyrin repeat protein that controls tillering in bread wheat. Nature Communications, 2023, 14(1): 856. (*Co-first Author)

4.Zhang L*, He G*, Li Y*, Yang Z, Liu T, Xie X, Kong X, Sun J. PIL transcription factors directly interact with SPLs and repress tillering/branching in plants. New Phytlogist, 2022, 233:1414–1425. (*Co-first Author)

5. Zhang L*, Dong C*, Chen Z*, Gui L, Chen C, Li D, Xie Z, Zhang Q, Zhang X, Xia C, Liu X, Kong X, Wang J. WheatGmap: a comprehensive platform for wheat gene mapping and genomic studies. Molecular Plant. 2021, 14：187–190. (*Co-first Author)

6.Xia C*, Zhang L*, Zou C*, Gu Y, Duan J, Zhao G, Wu J, Liu Y, Fang X, Gao L, Jiao Y, Sun J, Pan Y, Liu X, Jia J, Kong X. A TRIM insertion in the promoter of Ms2 causes male sterility in wheat. Nature Communications, 2017, 8:15407. (*Co-first Author)

7.Zhang L*, Liu G*, Jia J, Zhao G, Xia C, Zhang L, Li F, Zhang Q, Dong C, Gao S, Han L, Guo X, Zhang X, Wu J, Liu X, Kong X. The wheat MYB-related transcription factor TaMYB72 promotes flowering in rice. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 2016, 58(8):701-4. (*Co-first Author)