Yu Li

Yu Li

Deputy Director

Center for Crop Germplasm Resources

Institute of Crop Sciences

No.12 Zhongguancun South Street

Beijing, 100081, China

Email: liyu03@caas.cn

Educations

l  1981-1985, Southwest Agricultural College (now Southwest University), B.S.

l  1988, Beijing Forestry University, training course for half a year

l  1994, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, training course for half a year

l  1995-1998, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, M.S.

l  1998-2001, Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Ph.D

Working Experience

l  2004-now, Professor, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

l  1999-2004, Associate Professor, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

l  1991-1998, Assistant Professor, Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Research Interests

l  Maize germplasm collecting and sharing

l  Maize germplasm phenotypic and genotypic characterization

l  Gene discovery and allele mining based on maize germplasm

l  Mazie germplasm enhancement

Academic Qualifications

l  Winner of the Second Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award

l  Recipient of the honor "National Distinguished Talent in Agricultural Research”

l  Standing Committee Member of Genetic Resources Branch, China Association of Agricultural Science Societies

l  Council Member of The Crop Science Society of China

Selected Publications (*corresponding authors)

1)       Wang Dongmei, Xuyang Liu, Guanhua He, Kailiang Wang, Yongxiang Li, Honghui Guan, Tianyu Wang, Dengfeng Zhang*, Chunhui Li*, Yu Li*. 2025. GWAS and transcriptome analyses unravel ZmGRAS15 regulates drought tolerance and root elongation in maize. BMC Genomics 26:246.

2)       Guan Honghui, Yaxuan Lu, Xinchun Li, Bei Liu, Yongxiang Li, Dengfeng Zhang, Xuyang Liu, Guanhua He, Yu Li*, Hongwu Wang*, Tianyu Wang*, Chunhui Li*. 2024. Development of a MaizeGerm50K array and application to maize genetic studies and breeding. The Crop Journal 12:1686–1696.

3)       Yao Lu, Xiuming Wu, Xun Jiang, Muhammad Shan, Zhuoxiang Zhang, Yiting Li, Aiguo Yang, Yu Li*, Changqing Yang*. 2023. Subcellular compartmentalization in the biosynthesis and engineering of plant natural produces. Biotechnology Advances 69:108258.

4)       Li Chunhui, Jian Guo, Dongmei Wang, Xiaojing Chen, Honghui Guan, Yongxiang Li, Dengfeng Zhang, Xuyang Liu, Guanhua He, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2023. Genomic insight into changes of root architecture under drought stress in maize. Plant Cell and Environment 46:1860–1872.

5)       Gao Xing, Li Yong-xiang, Yang Ming-tao, Li Chun-hui, Song Yan-chun, Wang Tian-yu, Li Yu*, Shi Yun-su*. 2023. Changes in grain-filling characteristics of single-cross maize hybrids released in China from 1964 to 2014. Journal of Integrative Agriculture 22(3): 691–700.

6)       Li Yong-xiang, Jiawen Lu, Cheng He1, Xun Wu, Yu Cui, Lin Chen, Jie Zhang, Yuxin Xie, Yixin An, Xuyang Liu, Sihan Zhen, Yunjun Liu, Chunhui Li, Dengfeng Zhang, Yun-Su Shi, Yanchun Song, Jianhua Wang, Yu Li*, Guoying Wang*, Junjie Fu*, Tianyu Wang*. 2022. cis-Regulatory variation affecting gene expression contributes to the improvement of maize kernel size. The Plant Journal, 111:1595–1608.

7)       Li Chunhui, Honghui Guan, Xin Jing, Yaoyao Li, Baobao Wang, Yongxiang Li, Xuyang Liu, Dengfeng Zhang, Cheng Liu, Xiaoqing Xie, Haiyan Zhao, Yanbo Wang, Jingbao Liu, Panpan Zhang, Guanghui Hu, Guoliang Li, Suiyan Li, Dequan Sun, Xiaoming Wang, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Chengzhi Jiao*, Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra*, Yu Li*, Tianyu Wang*, Haiyang Wang*. 2022. Genomic insights into historical improvement of heterotic groups during modern hybrid maize breeding. Nature Plants, 8:750-763.

8)       An Y, Lin Chen, Yongxiang Li, Chunhui Li, Yunsu Shi, Dengfeng Zhang, Yu Li*, Tianyu Wang*. 2022. Fine mapping qKRN5.04 provides a functional gene negatively regulating maize kernel row number. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 135:1997–2007.

9)       Chen Lin, Yong-Xiang Li , Chunhui Li , Yunsu Shi , Yanchun Song , Dengfeng Zhang , Haiyang Wang*, Yu Li*, Tianyu Wang*. 2020. The retromer protein ZmVPS29 regulates maize kernel morphology likely through an auxin-dependent process (es). Plant Biotechnology Journal 18:1004–1014.

10)    Hao Luyang, Liu Xuyang, Zhang Xiaojing, Sun Baocheng, Liu Cheng, Zhang Dengfeng, Tang Huaijun, Li Chunhui, Li Yongxiang, Shi Yunsu, Xie Xiaoqing, Song Yanchun, Wang Tianyu*, Li Yu*. 2020. Genome-wide identification and comparative analysis of drought related genes in roots of two maize inbred lines with contrasting drought tolerance by RNA sequencing. Journal of Integrative Agriculture 19(2): 449–464.

11)    Li Chunhui, Xun Wu, Yongxiang Li, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Dengfeng Zhang, Yu Li*, Tianyu Wang*. 2019. Genetic architecture of phenotypic means and plasticities of kernel size and weight in maize. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 132:3309–3320.

12)    Liu Xuyang, Luyang Hao, Sirong Kou, Erhu Su, Yuqian Zhou, Ruilian Wang, Abdelghany Mohamed, Chenxi Gao, Dengfeng Zhang, Yongxiang Li, Chunhui Li, Yanchun Song, Yunsu Shi, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2019. High-density quantitative trait locus mapping revealed genetic architecture of leaf angle and tassel size in maize. Molecular Breeding 39:7.

13)    Li Chunhui, Baocheng Sun, Yongxiang Li, Cheng Liu, Xun Wu, Dengfeng Zhang, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Edward S. Buckler*, Zhiwu Zhang*, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2016. Numerous genetic loci identified for drought tolerance in the maize nested association mapping populations. BMC Genomics 17:894.

14)    Liu Yinghong, Xianbin Hou, Qianlin Xiao, Qiang Yi, Shaowei Bian, Yufeng Hu, Hanmei Liu, Junjie Zhang, Xiaoqin Hao, weidong cheng, Yu Li*, Yubi Huang*. 2016. Genetic analysis in maize foundation parents with mapping population and testcross population: Ye478 carried more favorable alleles and using QTL information could improve foundation parents. Frontiers in Plant Science 7:1417.

15)    Li Chunhui, Yongxiang Li, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Dengfeng Zhang, Edward S. Buckler, Zhiwu Zhang, Yu Li*, Tianyu Wang*. 2016. Analysis of recombination QTLs, segregation distortion, and epistasis for fitness in maize multiple populations using ultra-high-density markers. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 129:1775–1784.

16)    Li Yongxiang, Chunhui Li, Peter J. Bradbury, Xiaolei Liu, Fei Lu, Cinta M. Romay, Jeffrey C. Glaubitz, Xun Wu, Bo Peng, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Dengfeng Zhang, Edward S. Buckler*, Zhiwu Zhang*, Yu Li*, Tianyu Wang*. 2016. Identification of genetic variants associated with maize flowering time using an extremely large multi-genetic background population. The Plant Journal 86:391–402.

17)    Wu Xun, Yongxiang Li, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Dengfeng Zhang, Chunhui Li, Edward S. Buckler*, Yu Li*, Zhiwu Zhang*, Tianyu Wang*. 2016. Joint-linkage mapping and GWAS reveal extensive genetic loci that regulate male inflorescence size in maize. Plant Biotechnology Journal 14:1551–1562.

18)    Qin Weiwei, Yong-xiang Li, Xun Wu, Xin Li, Lin Chen, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Dengfeng Zhang, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2016. Fine mapping of qKL1.07, a major QTL for kernel length in maize. Molecular Breeding 36:8.

19)    Wu Xun, Yongxiang Li, Xin Li, Chunhui Li, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Zuping Zheng, Yu Li*, Tianyu Wang*. 2015. Analysis of genetic differentiation and genomic variation to reveal potential regions of importance during maize improvement. BMC Plant Biology 15:256.

20)    Li Chunhui, Yongxiang Li, Peter Bradbury, Xun Wu, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Dengfeng Zhang, Eli Rodgers-Melnick, Edward Buckler*, Zhiwu Zhang*, Yu Li*, Tianyu Wang*. 2015. Construction of high-quality recombination maps with low-coverage genomic sequencing for joint linkage analysis in maize. BMC Biology, 13:78.

21)    Wu Xun, Yongxiang Li, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Tianyu Wang, Yubi Huang*, Yu Li*. 2014. Fine genetic characterization of elite maize germplasm using high‑throughput SNP genotyping. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 127:621–631.

22)    Li Chunhui, Li Yongxiang, Sun Baocheng, Peng Bo, Liu Cheng, Liu Zhizhai, Yang Zhaozhao, Li Qingchao, Tan Weiwei, Zhang Yan, Wang Di, Shi Yunsu, Song Yanchun, Wang Tianyu*, Li Yu*. 2013. Quantitative trait loci mapping for yield components and kernel-related traits in multiple connected RIL populations in maize. Euphytica 193:303-316.

23)    Peng Bo, Yongxiang Li, Yang Wang, Cheng Liu, Zhizhai Liu, Yan Zhang, Weiwei Tan, Di Wang, Yunsu Shi, Baocheng Sun, Yanchun Song, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2013. Correlations and comparisons of quantitative trait loci with family per se and testcross performance for grain yield and related traits in maize. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 126:773-789.

24)    Lu Min, Deng-Feng Zhang, Yun-Su Shi, YanChun Song, Tian-Yu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2013. Expression of SbSNAC1, a NAC transcription factor from sorghum, confers drought tolerance to transgenic Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Culture 115:443–455.

25)    Lu Min, Sheng Ying, Dengfeng Zhang, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li *. 2012. A maize stress-responsive NAC transcription factor, ZmSNAC1, confers enhanced tolerance to dehydration in transgenic Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Rep. 31:1701-1711.

26)    Ying Sheng, Dengfeng Zhang, Jing Fu, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2012. Cloning and characterization of a maize bZIP transcription factor, ZmbZIP72, confers drought and salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. Planta 235:253–266.

27)    Li Yu, Xinglin Ma, Tianyu Wang*, Yongxiao Li, Cheng Liu, Zhizhai Liu, Baocheng Sun, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Mario Carlone, David Bubeck, Hans Bhardwaj, David Whitaker, William Wilson, Elizabeth Jones, Kevin Wright, Shuku Sun, William Niebur and Stephen Smith*. 2011. Increasing maize productivity in China by planting hybrids with germplasm that responds favorably to higher planting densities. Crop Science 51:2391-2400.

28)    Peng Bo, Yongxiang Li, Yang Wang, Cheng Liu, Zhizhai Liu, Weiwei Tan, Yan Zhang, Di Wang, Yunsu Shi, Baocheng Sun, Yanchun Song, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2011. QTL analysis for yield components and kernel-related traits in maize across multi-environments. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 122:1305-1320.

29)    Ying Sheng, Dengfeng Zhang, Huiyong Li, Yinghui Liu, Yunsu Shi, Yanchun Song, Tianyu Wang*, Yu Li*. 2011. Cloning and characterization of a maize SnRK2 protein kinase gene confers enhanced salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Report 30:1683-1699.

30)    Wang Ronghuan, Yu Yongtao, Zhao Jiuran, Shi Yunsu, Song Yanchun, Wang Tianyu*, Li Yu*. 2008. Population structure and linkage disequilibrium of a mini core set of maize inbred lines in China. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 117(7):1141-1153

31)    Li Yu*, Shi Yunsu, Cao Yongsheng, Wang Tianyu, 2004. Establishment of a core collection of maize preserved in Chinese Genebank using agronomic and geographical data. Genetic Resources & Crop Evolution 51(8):845-852.

32)    Li Yu*, Shi Yunsu, Cao Yongsheng, Wang Tianyu, 2002. A phenotypic diversity analysis of maize germplasm preserved in China. Maydica 47:107-114.