Peng Cai

Title: Professor

Degree: Ph.D.

E-mail: cp@mail.hzau.edu.cn

Research Interests: Soil Biofilm and Ecological Environment

Education

2002-2007 Ph.D. Soil Biochemistry, College  of Resources and Environment, HZAU

Dissertation Title: Mechanisms of extracellular DNA binding and natural transformation in soils. Dissertation Advisor: Qiaoyun Huang

1998-2002 B.S. Soil Science, College of Resources and Environment, HZAU

Experience

2013-Present: Full Professor of College of Resources and Environment, HZAU

2018/06-2018/12: Senior Visiting Scholar, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA (Advisor: Patricia Holden)

2011-2012: Postdoctoral Fellow of Department of Chemical and Engineering, University of California, Riverside, USA (Advisor: Sharon L. Walker)

2009-2012: Associate Professor of College of Resources and Environment, HZAU

2007-2009: Assistant Professor of College of Resources and Environment, HZAU

Achievements in Scientific Research

Research Interests

1. Soil biofilm and environment

2. Interfacial reactions among soil minerals, organic matter and microorganisms

Academic Achievements

Soil biofilms play key roles in the biogeochemical cycles of elements, transformation of pollutants, and control of pathogens. Our group has conducted groundbreaking research in this area and principal academic achievements obtained in last five years are as follows: (1) Establishing methodologies for the culture of biofilms on soil minerals surfaces, and developing multifaceted techniques for biofilms characterization; (2) Clarifying interfacial reactions mechanisms between soil minerals and bacteria or EPS, and biofilm formation mechanisms on soil minerals; (3) Uncovering the binding mechanisms of soil minerals-EPS complexes for heavy metals, survival mechanisms of bacterial pathogens in soils. Developing a new strategy for the prevent of bacterial pathogens invade in soil ecosystems based on biofilm technologies. These works mentioned above provided new avenue for soil components interactions and their environmental effects, and enriched the theory of soil chemistry and soil microbiology. Forty-nine SCI-papers have been published (up to 21 authorships as the first or corresponding author in SCI) since 2014. The sum citation of these publications has been reached 1104 times within the last 5 years and H index is 27. As a principal participant, I have been undertaken the Excellent Youth Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Youth Talent Support Program of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of China. I have won a few academic awards, such as the Yangtze River Youth Scholar of the Ministry of Education of China, Wolf Vishniac Memorial Award of the Interactional Society for Environmental Biogeochemistry, Outstanding Youth Scholar of the Soil Science Society of China, and Author of the National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of the Ministry of Education of China. I have also been invited to join the editor board of some academic journals, including Journal of Soils and Sediments, Soil Ecology Letters.

Support and grants

1. 2019-2022 Soil micro-aggregate formation controlled by extracellular polymeric substances interactions with soil active particles. National Natural Science Foundation of China. (PI, RMB 610,000)

2. 2016-2018 Soil Biofilms and environment. National Natural Science Foundation of China . (PI, RMB 1,500,000)

3. 2016-2020 Bacterial pathogens survival mechanisms in soils. National Key Scientific Research Project of China. (PI, RMB 3,000,000)

Representative publications

1. Yichao Wu, Peng Cai*, Xinxin Jing, Xueke Niu, Dandan Ji, Noha Mohamed Ashry, Chunhui Gao, Qiaoyun Huang. Soil biofilm formation enhances microbial community diversity and metabolic activity. Environment International. 2019, 132, 105116.

2. Shuang Wang, Marc Redmile-Gordon, Monika Mortimer, Peng Cai,*, Yichao Wu, Chunhui Gao, Qiaoyun Huang. Extraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from red soils (Ultisols). Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2019, 135, 283-285.

3. Chun-Hui Gao, Monika Mortimer, Ming Zhang, Patricia A. Holden, Peng Cai*, Shan Wu, Yuexing Xin, Yichao Wu, Qiaoyun Huang. Impact of metal oxide nanoparticles on in vitro DNA amplification. Peer Journal. 7:e7228.

4. Chun-Hui Gao, Ming Zhang, Yichao Wu, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. Divergent influence to a pathogen invader by resident bacteria with different social interactions. Microbial Ecology. 2019, 77, 76-86.

5. Peng Cai^⁎, Di Lin, Caroline L. Peacock, Wanxi Peng, Qiaoyun Huang. EPS adsorption to goethite: Molecular level adsorption mechanisms using 2D correlation spectroscopy. Chemical Geology. 2018, 494, 127-135.

6. Peng Cai*, Xing Liu, Dandan Ji, Sharon L. Walker, Qiaoyun Huang. Impact of soil clay minerals on growth, biofilm formation, and virulence of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Environmental Pollution. 2018, 243, 953-960.

7. Di Lin, Peng Cai^⁎, Caroline L. Peacock, Yichao Wu, Chunhui Gao, Wanxi Peng, Qiaoyun Huang, Wei Liang. Towards a better understanding of the aggregation mechanisms of iron(hydr)oxide nanoparticles interacting with extracellular polymeric substances: Role of pH and electrolyte solution. Science of the Total Environment. 2018. 645, 372–379.

8. Yichao Wu, Xinxin Jing, Chunhui, Gao, Qiaoyun, Huang, Peng Cai^*. Recent advances in microbial electrochemical system for soil bioremediation. Chemosphere. 2018, 211, 156-163.

9. Ming Liu, Shanshan Yang, Chengkun Zheng, Xuesong Luo, Weicheng Bei, Peng Cai*. Binding to type I collagen is essential for the infectivity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus to host cells. Cellular Microbiology. 2018, 20, e12856.

10. Kai Ouyang, Sharon L. Walker, Xiao-Ying Yu, Chun-Hui Gao, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. Cellular Responses of Pseudomonas putida to Hematite Nanoparticles Mediated by Surface-Bound Humic Acid. Environmental Science: Nano. 2018, 5, 682-695.

11. Kai Ouyang, Xiao-Ying Yu, Yunlin Zhu, Chunhui Gao, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. Effects of humic acid on the interactions between zinc oxide nanoparticles and bacterial biofilms. Environmental Pollution, 2017, 231: 1104-1111.

12. Di Lin, S. Drew Story, Sharon L. Walker, Qiaoyun Huang, Wei Liang, Peng Cai*. Role of pH and ionic strength in the aggregation of TiO2 nanoparticles in the presence of extracellular polymeric substances from Bacillus subtilis. Environmental Pollution, 2017, 228: 35-42.

13. Wenting Ma, Donghai Peng, Sharon L. Walker, Bin Cao, Chun-Hui Gao, Qiaoyun Huang and Peng Cai*. Bacillus subtilis biofilm development in the presence of soil clay minerals and iron oxides. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2017) 3:4; doi:10.1038/s41522-017-0013-6

14. Kai Ouyang, Ke Dai, Hao Chen, Qiaoyun Huang, Chunhui Gao, Peng Cai*. Metal-free inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 by fullerene/C3N4 hybrid under visible light irradiation. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2017, 136, 40-45.

15. Di Lin, S. Drew Story, Sharon L. Walker, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. Influence of extracellular polymeric substances on the aggregation kinetics of TiO2 nanoparticles. Water Research, 2016, 104, 381-388.

16. Kai Ouyang1, Ke Dai1, Sharon L. Walker, Qiaoyun Huang, Xixiang Yin, Peng Cai*. Efficient photocatalytic disinfection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 using C70-TiO2 hybrid under visible light irradiation. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6: 25702.

17. Di Lin, Wenting Ma, Zhaoxia Jin, Yixuan Wang, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. Interactions of EPS with soil minerals: A combination study by ITC and CLSM. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 2016, 138: 10-16.

18. Xing Liu, Wenqiang Zhao, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. Relative Attachment Behaviors of Pathogenic and Non-pathogenic Escherichia coli to Soil Particles: Influence of Soil Physico-Chemical Properties. Geomicrobiology Journal. 2015, 32, 594-601.

19. Wenqiang Zhao, Shanshan Yang, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. Bacterial cell surface properties: Role of loosely bound extracellularpolymeric substances (LB-EPS). Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 128 (2015) 600–607

20. Wenqiang Zhao, Xing Liu, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. 2015. Streptococcus suis sorption on agricultural soils: Role of soil physic-chemical properties. Chemosphere, 119, 52-58.

21. Wenqiang Zhao, Sharon L.Walker, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. Contrasting effects of extracellular polymeric substances on the surface characteristics of bacterial pathogens and cell attachment to soil particles. Chemical Geology 410 (2015), 79–88.

22. Linchuan Fang, Shanshan Yang, Qiaoyun Huang, Aifang Xue, Peng Cai*. 2014. Biosorption mechanisms of Cu(II) by extracellular polymeric substances from Bacillus subtilis. Chemical Geology. 386, 143-151.

23. Wenqiang Zhao, Sharon L. Walker, Qiaoyun Huang, Peng Cai*. 2014. Adhesion of bacterial pathogens to soil colloidal particles: Influences of cell type, natural organic matter, and solution chemistry. Water Research. 53, 35-46.

24. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y., Walker, S.L.* 2013. Deposition and Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Clay Minerals in a Parallel Plate Flow System. Environmental Science & Technology. 47: 1896–1903.

25. Fang, L.C., Cao, Y.Y., Huang, Q.Y., Sharon L. Walker, Cai, P.* 2012. Reactions between bacterial exopolymers and goethite: A combined macroscopic and spectroscopic investigation. Water Research. 46: 5613–5620.

26. Zhao, W.Q., Liu, X., Huang, Q.Y., Walker, S.L., Cai, P.* 2012. Interactions of pathogens Escherichia coli and Streptococcus suis with clay minerals. Applied Clay Science. 69: 37–42.

27. Wei, X., Fang, L.C., Cai, P.*, Huang, Q.Y., Chen, H., Liang, W., Rong, X.M. 2011. Influence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on Cd adsorption by bacteria. Environmental Pollution. 159: 1369-1374.

28. Fang, L.C., Wei, X., Cai, P.*, Huang, Q.Y., Chen, H., Liang, W., Rong, X.M. 2011. Role of extracellular polymeric substances in Cu(II) adsorption on Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas putida. Bioresource Technology. 102: 1137-1141.

29. Cai, P.*, He, X.M., Xue, A.F., Chen H., Huang, Q.Y., Yu, J., Rong, X.M., Liang, W. 2011. Bioavailability of methyl parathion adsorbed on clay minerals and iron oxide.  Journal of Hazardous Materials. 185: 1032-1036.

30. Cao, Y.Y., Wei, X., Cai, P.*, Huang, Q.Y., Rong, X.M., Liang, W. 2011. Preferential adsorption of extracellular polymeric substances on clay minerals and iron oxide.  Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 83: 122-127.

31. Fang, L.C., Huang, Q.Y., Wei, X., Liang, W., Rong, X.M., Chen, W.L., Cai, P.* 2010. Microcalorimetric and potentiometric titration studies on the adsorption of copper by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), minerals and their composites. Bioresource Technology. 101: 5774-5779.

32. Cai, P., Zhu, J., Huang, Q.Y.*, Fang, L.C., Liang, W., Chen, W.L. 2009. Role of bacteria in the adsorption and binding of DNA on soil colloids and minerals. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 69: 26-30.

33. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Li, M., Liang, W. 2008. Binding and degradation of DNA on montmorillonite coated by hydroxyl aluminum species. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 62: 299-306.

34. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Chen, W.L., Zhang, D., Wang, K.Z., Jiang, D.H., Liang, W. 2007. Soil colloids-bound plasmid DNA: effect on transformation of E. coli and resistance to DNase I degradation. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 39: 1007-1013.

35. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Zhu, J., Jiang, D.H., Zhou, X.Y., Rong, X.M., Liang, W. 2007. Effects of low-molecular-weight organic acids and phosphate on DNA adsorption by soil colloids and minerals. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 54: 53-59.

36. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Lu, Y.D., Chen, W.L., Jiang, D.H., Liang, W. 2007. Amplification of plasmid DNA bound on soil colloidal particles and clay minerals by the polymerase chain reaction. Journal of Environmental Science. 19: 1326-1329.

37. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Zhang, X.W. 2006. Interactions of DNA with Clay Minerals and Soil Colloidal Particles and Protection against Degradation by DNase. Environmental Science & Technology. 40: 2971-2976.

38. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Zhang, X.W., Chen, H. 2006. Adsorption of DNA on clay minerals and various colloidal particles from an Alfisol. Soil Biology & Biochemistry. 38: 471-476.

39. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Jiang, D.H., Rong, X.M., Liang, W. 2006. Microcalorimetric studies on the adsorption of DNA by soil colloidal particle. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 49: 49-54.

40. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Zhang, X.W. 2006. Microcalorimetric studies of the effects of MgCl₂ concentrations and pH on the adsorption of DNA on montmorillonite, kaolinite and goethite. Applied Clay Science. 32: 147-152.

41. Cai, P., Huang, Q.Y.*, Zhang, X.W., Chen, H. 2005. Binding and transformation of extracellular DNA in soil. Pedosphere. 15: 16-23.