Hongyu Zhang
Professor, PhD
Tel: +86-027-87286962
Email: hongyu.zhang@mail.hzau.edu.cn
Research Area
Insect Molecular Biology and Microbiology; Integrated Pest Management, Especially focus on non-chemical control technical , such as SIT, Biological control etc.
Education
Bachelor of Science Department of Plant Protection, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China. in June,1986. Major in Plant Protection.
Master of Science Department of Plant Protection, Huazhong Agricultural University in June, 1991. Major in Entomology.
Ph.D. College of Life Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070 China in June, 1998. Major in Microbiology.
Work experiences
Jul.,1991-Jul.1998: A lecturer and researcher in Huazhong Agricultural University.
Jul.1998-Jun. 2001: An associate professor and researcher in Huazhong Agricultural University.
Mar.1999- Nov.1999: A Visiting Entomologist in Agricultural Research Center, Israel.
Aug. Jul.2001- Aug. 2002: A postdoctoral fellow in Department of Biology, Konstanz University, Germany.
Sept. 2002- Aug. 2004: A postdoctoral fellow in AgResearch Lincoln, New Zealand.
May. 2005-Aug. 2005: A Senior Visiting Entomologist in Michigan State University, USA.
Aug. 2013-Feb. 2014: A Senior Visiting Entomologist in University of Florida, USA.
2004-Present: A professor and researcher in Molecular Entomology and IPM of Insect Pests, especially Exotic Invasive Species, Horticultural and Stored Product Insect in Huazhong Agricultural University;
Research area
1. Insect microbiome. The research focuses on the interaction and coordinated evolution of entomopathogens and symbiotic microorganisms with host insects, genetic modifications of entomopathogens and symbiotic microorganisms, and research and development of microbial pesticides.
2. Studies on the molecular mechanism of the development, reproduction and immunity of insect pests, and transgenic insects.
3. Horticulture and urban pest green control technology, and intelligent information and expert system research and development.
Academic performance
Having studied on insect microbiome, the molecular mechanism of insect development and reproduction, and green pest control technology, and has published nearly 100 SCI papers. In the past five years, the research work mainly focused on insect microbiome, the molecular mechanism of sex differentiation, development, reproduction and immunity of fruit flies and the interaction mechanism with symbiotic microorganisms: the diversity, community composition, function and homeostasis regulation of intestinal microorganisms of fruit flies were systematically studied (the ISME journal, 2016; PLoS pathogens, 2020), a technology platform of RNAi and CRISPR / cas9 gene editing technology was established, and were used to study the functions of important genes for development, reproduction and immunity, the molecular mechanism of sex regulation of fruit fly, and the functions of its sex determining key genes and miRNA (nature Communications, 2020), which laid a foundation for the construction of transgenic lines, and elucidated the mechanism of fatty acid synthesis and metabolism pathway regulating the immune tolerance of fruit fly to RNAi.
In addition, actively research and develop green pest control technology: for the first time in the world, we have successfully discovered the sex pheromone of citrus fruit fly, developed new traps such as high-efficiency baits and insect-trapping lamp of combining physics and chemistry attractive characteristics , and established its field application technology; established LED light and color board baiting technology, high-efficiency baits and repellents, push-pull technology of citrus Psylla; investigating systematically resources of pathogenic microorganisms of insect pests like citrus Psylla and whiteflies, and the development and application of microbial pesticides. The technology of reproduction and release of natural enemies such as Predatory mites. has been approved more than 10 national invention patents and 3 utility patents.
Main Projects
1. The Control of Fruit Insect Pests. Funded by The earmarked fund for China Agricultural Research System (CARS-26) from 2007-, A principal investigator.
2. Integrated Research and Demonstration of Pesticide and Fertiliser Reduction Technology for Citrus in Middle Reaches of Yangtze River. Funded of National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2017YFD0202000)，2017-2020
3. Molecular Mechanism of Interaction between IMD and Duox-ROS Immunity in Bactrocera dorsalis Gut. Funded by Natural Science Foundation of China （NO. 31872931）from 2019 to 2022. A principal investigator.
4. Functions of the IMD negative regulative genes in regulate intestinal microbiota homeostasis of Bactrocera dorsalis funded by Natural Science Foundation of China （NO. 31272378）from 2015 to 2019. A principal investigator.
5. Fitness Improvement of Mass-Reared Sterile Males of Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera minax Through their Symbionts unded by IAEA Co-ordinated Research Contract No. 18805/R0 , 2015-2020, Chief Scientific Investigator.
6. Metagenomic and cellulolytic function of intestinal microbiota of the Holotrichia parallela funded by Natural Science Foundation of China （NO. 31272378）from 2013 to 2016. A principal investigator.
7. The Forecasting and Control of fruit fly in Central China funded by The Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest (no. 200903047) from 2008-2013, A principal investigator.
8. The Mass-rearing and Applications of Predatory Mites in Central China funded by The Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest (no. 200903032) from 2008-2013, A principal investigator.
9. Development of new protective agents for grain storage in rural areas funded by Key Projects in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program during the Eleventh Five-year Plan Period from2007-2010, A principal investigator.
10. Study on the integrated technology of biology and harmless control of important disease and insect of radix xuanshen funded by Key Projects in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program during the Eleventh Five-year Plan Period from 2006-2010, A principal investigator.
11. Study on molecular polymorphism and function of intestinal symbiotic microorganisms of the Holotrichia parallela. Funded by Natural Science Foundation of China from 2007 to 2009. A principal investigator.
PUBLICATIONS IN RECENT YEARS
Books as an Editor in Chief
Zhang H.Y. and Li, H.Y. (Chief editor) (2018) Photographic guide to Green control techniques for citrus disease and insect pests. Beijing: Chinese Agricultural Press.
Zhang H.Y. (Chief editor) (2017) Atlas of agricultural insect pests identification and controls. Guangzhou: Guangdong Science and Technology Press.
Zhang H.Y. (Chief editor) (2009) Urban Entomology. Beijing: Chinese Agricultural Press
Yang C.J.and Zhang H.Y. (Chief editor) (2009) Plant Pest Quarantine. Beijing: Science Press.
Zhang H.Y. (Chief editor) (2009) Storage Technology of Grain and Seeds. Beijing: Jindun Press
Zhang H.Y. (2009) (Chief editor) The tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci and its Control. Beijing: Jindun Press
Zhang, H. Y. and Li, H. Y. (Chief editor) (2012) Photographic guide to key control techniques for citrus disease and insect pests. Beijing: Chinese Agricultural Press.
Major articles in International peer-review journals
1. Peng W., Yu S.N., Alfred M. H., Tu Z.J. , Giuseppe S. , Xi Z.Y.， Zhang H.Y. *，2020. miRNA-1-3p is an early embryonic male sex-determining factor in the Oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis. Nat Commun 11, 932.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14622-4 (Corresponding author)
2. Yao Z.C., Wang A.L., Li Y.S., Cai Z.H., Lemaitre B., Zhang, H.Y.*. 2016. The dual oxidase gene BdDuox regulates the intestinal bacterial community homeostasis of Bactrocera dorsalis. ISME J. ,10(5):1037-1050 (Corresponding author)
3. Muhammad F. R., Wang Y.C., Cai Z.H., Bai Sh., Yao Z.C., Umar A.A., Zhang Z.Y., Zheng W.W., Zhang H.Y. 2020a. Gut microbiota promotes host resistance to low-temperature stress by stimulating its arginine and proline metabolism pathway in adult Bactrocera dorsalis. PLoS Pathogens https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1008441. (Corresponding author)
4. Yao Z.C.,Ma Q.K.,Cai Z.H., Muhammad F. R.,Bai S.,Wang Y.C., Zhang P.,Ma H.Q.,Zhang H.Y.*, 2019. Similar Shift Patterns in Gut Bacterial And Fungal Communities Across the Life Stages of Bactrocera minax Larvae From Two Field Populations. Frontiers in Microbiology,(2019) 10:2262, doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02262 (Corresponding author)
5. Peng W.,Zheng W.W.,Tariq K.,Yu S.N.,Zhang H.Y.*, 2019. MicroRNA Let-7 targets the ecdysone signaling pathway E75 gene to control larval-pupal development in Bactrocera dorsalis. Insect Sci,(2019) 26, 229–239, DOI 10.1111/1744-7917.12542 (Corresponding author)
6. Zheng W.P., Li Q.M., Sun H., Muhammad W.A., Zhang H.Y*, 2019. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of the mew gene induces muscle weakness and flightlessness in Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae). Insect Molecular Biology. (2019) 28(2), 222–234 (Corresponding author)
7. Meng L.X., LI X.Y., Cheng X.Q., Zhang H.Y.*, 2019. 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Reveals a Shift in the Microbiota of Diaphorina citri During the Psyllid Life Cycle. Frontiers in Microbiology, (2019) 10:1948.DOI 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01948(Corresponding author)
8. Cai Z.H., Yao Z.C., Li Y.S., Xi Z.Y., Bourtzis K., Zhao Z., Bai S., Zhang H.Y.*, 2018. Intestinal probiotics restore the ecological fitness decline of Bactrocera dorsalis by irradiation. Evolutionary Applications. 2018; 1–18. (Corresponding author)
9. Meng L.X., Wang Y.M., Wei W.H., Zhang H.Y.*, 2018.Population genetic structure of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae): host-driven genetic differentiation in China. Scientific Reports.2018,|8:1473| DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-19533-5(Corresponding author)
10. Tariq K.,Noor M.,Hussain A.,Ali A,.Peng W.,Zhang H.Y.*,2017.The toxicity of flonicamid to cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula (Ishida), is by disruption of ingestion: an electropenetrography study. Pest Management Science,2017,73(8):1661-1669.Doi:10.1002/ps.4508. (Corresponding author)
11. Muhammad W.A.,Zhang Z.Y.,Xia S.,& Zhang H.Y.*. 2017. Biofunctional analysis of Vitellogenin and Vitellogenin receptor in citrus red mites, Panonychus citri by RNA interference.Scientific Reports.2017,7(1)|7:16123|DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-16331-3(Corresponding author)
12. Tariq K.,Noor M.,Hori M.,Ali A., Peng W.,and Zhang H.Y.*, 2017. Blue light-induced immunosuppression in Bactrocera dorsalis adults, as a carryover effect of larval exposure. Bulletin of Entomological Research,2017,107(6):734-741. Doi:10.1017/S0007485317000438. (Corresponding author)
13. Muhammad W.A., Zheng W.P., Sohail S., Li Q. M., Zheng W.W.& Zhang H.Y.*, 2017. A genetically enhanced sterile insect technique against the fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) by feeding adult double-stranded RNAs. Scientific Reports.2017,7(1)|7:4063| DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-04431-z (Corresponding author)
14. Dong X.L.,Li X.X.,Li Q.J.,Jia H.M.& Zhang H.Y.*,2017.The inducible blockage of RNAi reveals a role for polyunsaturated fatty acids in the regulation of dsRNA-endocytic capacity in Bactrocera dorsalis.Scientific Reports.2017,7(1)|7:5584|DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-05971-0(Corresponding author)
15. K. Tariq, M. Noor, M. Hori, A. Ali, A. Hussain,W. Peng, C.-J. Chang and Zhang H. Y.*2017. Blue light-induced immunosuppression in Bactrocera dorsalis adults, as a carryover effect of larval exposure. Bulletin of Entomological Research. doi:10.1017/S0007485317000438. (Corresponding author)
16. Tariq K., Metzendorf C., Peng W., Sohail S., Zhang H.Y.*. 2016. miR-8-3p regulates mitoferrin in the testes of Bactrocera dorsalis to ensure normal spermatogenesis. Scientific Reports. 6:22565 | DOI: 10.1038/srep22565(Corresponding author)
17. Peng, W., Tariq, K., Xie, J.F., Zhang,H.Y.*, 2016. Identification and Characterization of Sex-Biased MicroRNAs in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). Plos. One. 11（7）. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0159591(Corresponding author)
18. Li Q.J., Dong X.L., Zheng W.W., Zhang H.Y.*, 2016. The PLA2 gene mediates the humoral immune responses in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 67: 293-299. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2016.09.006(Corresponding author)
19. Zheng W.W.* , Luo D.Y., Wu F.Y., Wang J.L., Zhang H.Y.*. 2016. RNA sequencing to characterize transcriptional changes of sexual maturation and mating in the female oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis. BMC Genomics,17:194.DOI 10.1186/s12864-016-2532-6(Corresponding author)
20. Tariq K., Peng W., Saccone G., Zhang H.Y.*. 2016. Identification, characterization and target gene analysis of testicular microRNAs in the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis. Insect Molecular Biology. 25(1), 32–43. doi: 10.1111/imb.12196(Corresponding author)
21. Li, X.X., Dong, X.L., Zou, C., Zhang, H.Y.*. 2015. Endocytic pathway mediates refractoriness of insect Bactrocera dorsalis to RNA interference. Scientific reports. 5:8700(Corresponding author)
22. Tariq K., Noor M. ,Saeed S., Zhang H.Y.*. 2015. The Effect of Ultraviolet-A Radiation Exposure on the Reproductive Ability, Longevity, and Development of the Dialeurodes citri (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) F1 Generation. Environ. Entomol. 44(6): 1614–1618; DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvv133(Corresponding author)
23. Dong X. L., Li Q.J., Zhang H.Y.*. 2015. The noa gene is functionally linked to the activation of the Toll/Imd signaling pathways in Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel). Developmental and Comparative Immunology. 55, 233-240. (Corresponding author)
24. Chen A.E., Zheng W.W., Zheng W.P., Zhang H.Y.*. 2015. The effects of RNA interference targeting Bactrocera dorsalis ds-Bdrpl19 on the gene expression of rpl19 in non-target insects. Ecotoxicology. 24:595–603(Corresponding author)
25. Giuseppe S.*, Christos L., Zhang H.Y.*. Valeria P., Manuela Di N. , Maria P., Marco S. mini. 2014. Male-specific phosphorylated SR proteins in adult flies of the Mediterranean Fruitfly Ceratitis capitata. BMC Genetics. 15(Suppl 2):S6(Corresponding author)
26. Wang H.X., Jin L. Peng T., Zhang H.Y.*, Chen Q.L. and Hua Y.J. 2014.Identification of cultivable bacteria in the intestinal tract of Bactrocera dorsalis from three different populations and determination of their attractive potential. Pest Manag Sci, 70:80–87. (Corresponding author)
27. Sheng P., Xu J., Saccone G., Li K.B., Zhang H.Y. *,2014. Discovery and characterization of endo-xylanase and β-xylosidase from a highly xylanolytic bacterium in the hindgut of Holotrichia parallela larvae. J Mol Catal B-Enzym. 105, 33-40 (Corresponding author)
28. Wang P.P., Song X.H., Zhang H.Y.*. 2013. Isolation and characterization of Aschersonia placenta from citrus orchards and its pathogenicity towards Dialeurodes citri(Ashmead). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 112:122–128(Corresponding author)
29. Chen H.L., Zhang H.Y.*. Zhu k.y., Throne J.*. 2013. Performance of diapausing parasitoid wasps, Habrobracon hebetor, after cold storage. Biological Control. 64: 86–194(Corresponding author)
30. Zheng W. W., Zhu Ch P., Peng T., Zhang H.Y.*.2012. Odorant receptor co-receptor Orcois upregulated by methyl eugenol in male Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae). Journal of Insect Physiology 58:1122–1127(Corresponding author)
31. Li X.X., Zhang M.Y., Zhang H.Y.*, 2011, RNA interference of four genes in adult Bactrocera dorsalis by feeding their dsRNAs. PLoS One, 6(3):e17788 , doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017788(Corresponding author)
32. Wang H.X., Jin L., Zhang H.Y.*, 2011, Comparison of the diversity of the bacterial communities in the intestinal tract of adult Bactrocera dorsalis from three different populations. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 110(6): 1390-1401(Corresponding author)
33. Chen H. L., Opit G. P., Sheng P. and Zhang H.Y.*.2011. Maternal and Progeny Quality of Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) After Cold Storage. Biological Control, 58, 255-261. (Corresponding author)
34. Zhang H.Y.*, and Jackson T. , Microbial diversity in the alimentary tract of Costelytra zealandica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) larvae by PCR-DGGE of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Journal of Applied microbiology, 2008,105(5): 1277-1285(First author）
35. Zhang H.Y.*, and Brune A., Characterization and partial purification of proteinases from the highly alkaline midgut of the humivorous larvae of Pachnoda ephippiata (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 2004, 36: 435–442（First author）
36. Zhang H.Y.*, Yang C.J., Huang J.Y. Lü L., Susceptibility of field populations of Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann (Diptera: Culicidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis. Biocontrol Science and Technology, 2004,14(3): 321-325（First author）
37. Zhang H.Y.*, Zeng X.H., Yu Z.N. and Deng W.X., Characterization and toxicity of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from warehouses to Spodoptera exigua (Lep., Noctuidae). Journal of Applied Entomology, 2001, 125: 211-214（First author）
Honour and prize
(1) 2nd Prize of Hubei Scientific and Technology Advance: 2 time; 3th Prize of Hubei Scientific and Technology Advance: 3 times and 3th Prize of Hubei Natural Scientific: 1 time
(2) 6 Patents
(3) A Scientific advisor of International Foundation for Science (IFS, Sweden)
(4) Editorial board members of Asian Journal of Plant Sciences
(5) Editorial board members of Hubei Plant Protection
(6) Council Member of Chinese Cereals and Oils Association
(7) Specialized Committee Member of Horticultural Pest Control, China Society of Plant Protection
(8) Specialized Committee Member of Insecticide and Toxicology,The Entomological Society of China
(9) Specialized Committee Member of Urban Entomology, The Entomological Society of China.
(10) One of conveners of 8th International Conference on Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Stored Products in 2008 in Chengdu
(11) One of conveners of The 11th International Citrus Congress in 2008 in Wuhan
(12) A member of organizing committee of Proceedings of International Forum for Sustainable Management of Disease Vectors, Beijing, 2006.
(13) One of conveners of XVth International Plant Protection Congress in 2004 in Beijing
(14) One of conveners of 7th International Working Conference on Stored-product protection (IWCSPP) and member of editorial board of the proceedings of 7th IWCSPP in 1998 in Beijing.
