Shenghua Yuan, Ph.D

Post-Doctoral Associate
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Yale University
OML 412
New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Email: shenghua.yuan@yale.edu

Education

2006     Ph.D. University of Georgia, Forest Biotechnology
2005     M.S. University of Georgia, Statistics
1997     M.S. University of Georgia, Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding
1993     B.S. Northeast Forestry University (Harbin, China), Forestry Science

Shenghua's CV

Research Interests

I am interested in the gene regulation in respond to the external stimuli (bending, gravitropism et al.) or changes (draught, saline condition) using the strategy of quantatitive real-time PCR, array technique and promoter analysis and gene function test using reverse genetics (gene mutation) or forward genetics (protein function test). My dissertation research (with Jeffrey Dean, UGA) was about the promoters and gene regulation of ACC oxidase (the final enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis pathway) from loblolly pine. The results showed that ethylene is closely related to the formation of compression wood in loblolly pine. During the one-year period of my post-doc training in Jeff’s lab, I worked on an Arabidopsis laccase (involved in lignin formation) mutant for the laccase gene function test. My previous experience is in wet-lab. Now I am a post-doc associate in Melinda Smith’s lab and switch from wet-lab environment to partial dry- and partial wet-lab condition. I am investigating the genomic response of two native species Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans in Tallgrass Prairie. In detail, my work involves microarray data analysis to screen candidate genes differentially expressed in respond to climate change (warming and changing pattern of precipitation), and subsequent verification by Q-PCR analysis.

Publications

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) ACC oxidase gene promoters display differential responses to bending stress and other external stimuli in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. Shenghua Yuan, Jeffrey F.D. Dean (manuscript in preparation).

The isolation and characterization of ACC oxidase genes from loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Shenghua Yuan, Yuefang Wang, Jeffrey F.D.Dean (manuscript in preparation).

Review: The 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase gene family from three completely sequenced plant species-Arabidopsis, rice and populus and its related functions. Jeffrey F.D.Dean, Shenghua Yuan (manuscript in preparation).

The Isolation and Characterization of ACC Oxidase Genes from Loblolly pine(Pinus taeda). Yuefang Wang, Shenghua Yuan, John R. Barnes, Jeffrey F.D. Dean. 26th Biennial Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference. 2001, pp.199-202.

K+ and Na+ content change in trees under salt stress and tree salt tolerence. Zhan YaGuang, Chen Quanshe, Shenghua Yuan, Liu Guanjun, Liu Guifeng, Yang Chuanping. Journal of Northeast Forestry University. 1999, 27(1), pp. 24-27 (in Chinese)

Study on Genetic Structure of Best Provenance of Larix Gemilinii(1)---- The Linkage Genetic Relationship of MDH and GOT Enzyme. Huang Qinjun, Xia Dean, Lu Yifang, Yuan Shenghua, Li Yongqi. Journal of Northeast Forestry University. 1997, 25(2), pp.5-8. (in Chinese)

The Relationship of Permeability of Plasma Membrane and Salt Resistance of Woody Plants. Yang Chuanping, Yuan Shenghua, Jiao Xicai, Lie Wenxiang, Liang Jing. Journal of Northeast Forestry University. 1997, 25(1), pp.1-3. (in Chinese)

The Germinative Characteristics of Various Tree Seeds in Different Salinity. Yuan Shenghua, Yang Chuanping, Jian Xicai, Wang Chunjuan. Journal of Northeast Forestry University, 1996, 24(6) pp. 41-46. (in Chinese)