Laboratory of Systems Microbial Biotechnology
Institute of Microbiology
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tel: 86-10-64807485
Fax: 86-10-64807485
E-mail: yli@im.ac.cn  

Brief Biograph
2007.6-present, Director, Center for Bioenergy and Industrial Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
2006-present , Professor and Principal Investigator, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
2004-2006, Research Officer, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
2003-2004, Associate Professor, Southern Yangtze University, Wuxi, China
2001-2002, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences and NIZO Food Research, Ede, The Netherlands
2000-2001, Lecturer, Southern Yangtze University, Wuxi, China
1995-2000, PhD, Wuxi University of Light Industry, Wuxi, China
1991-1995, Bsc, Wuxi University of Light Industry, Wuxi, China


Research Interests
Our laboratory is interested in understanding physiology of industrial fermentation from molecular level and improving the performance of industrial microorganisms using systems biotechnology approach.

In our laboratory, lactic acid bacteria and extremophiles with acid-, alkali-, and solvent-tolerance will be selected as research models. Insights into the molecular basis and the regulatory mechanism for the production of bulk chemicals by these microorganisms will be gained using genomics tool. By integrating the data generated from genomics, novel metabolic engineering strategies will be developed to improve the functionality of industrial microorganisms.

We are also interested in developing novel methodology to support the development of systems biotechnology. This includes high-throughput screening method for obtaining desired microorganisms with industrial potential for producing bio-based chemicals; novel genetic tools for prokaryotes and genome-wide random mutagenesis strategy; methodology for integrating data generated from genome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and fluxome studies; and development of genome-scale metabolic models by which the biological behavior of microorganisms can be predicted and simulated.

Sciences (CAS): Key Technology for the Production of L-Lactic Acid.
4. National Program on Key Basic Research Projects (973): Cell Factories for Biorefinery

Awards and Honors
2006 National Science and Technology Progress Award, 2nd Prize
2004 Ministry of Education Science and Technology Progress Award, 2nd Prize
2003 China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Technology Invention Award, 1st Prize
2003 Jiangsu Province Science and Technology Progress Award, 2nd Prize
2000 “Ten Outstanding Young Persons” in Wuxi

Selected publications

Lactic Acid Bacteria: genomics, genetics, physiology, and application

1. Li Y, Canchaya C, Fang F, Raftis E, Ryan KA, van Pijkeren J-P, van Sinderen D, O’Toole PW. Distribution of megaplasmids in Lactobacillus salivarius and other lactobacilli. J. Bacteriol., 2007, 189(17): 6128-6139.

2. Zhang J, Fu R-Y, Hugenholtz J, Li Y* Chen J*. Glutathione protects Lactococcus lactis against acid stress. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2007, 73(16): 5268-5275.

3. Corr SC, Li Y, Riedel CU, O’Toole PW, Hill C, Gahan CGM. Bacteriocin production as a mechanism for the anti-infective activity of Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 2007, 104(18): 7617-7621. (cover article)

4. Claesson MJ*, Li Y*, Leahy S, Canchaya C, van Pijkeren JP, Cerdeño-Tárragad AM, Parkhill J, Flynn S, Collins JK, Higgins D, Shanahan F, Fitzgerald GF, van Sinderen D, O'Toole PW. Multi-replicon genome architecture of Lactobacillus salivarius. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 2006, 103(17): 6718-6723. (cover article) (*equally contributed to this work).

5. Li Y, Raftis E, Canchaya C, Fitzgerald GF, van Sinderen D, O'Toole PW. Polyphasic analysis indicates that Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius and Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius do not merit separate subspecies status. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol., 2006, 56(10): 2397-2403.

6. van Pijkeren JP, Canchaya C, Ryan KA, Li Y, Claesson MJ, Sheil B, Steidler L, O’Mahony L, Fitzgerald GF, van Sinderen D, O’Toole PW. Comparative and functional analysis of sortase-dependent proteins in the predicted secretome of Lactobacillus salivarius. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2006, 72(6): 4143-4153.

Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus casei. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2006, 72(5): 3130-3146.

8. Fu R-Y, Bongers BS, van Swam II, Chen J, Molenaar D, Kleerebezem M, Hugenholtz J, Li Y*. Introducing glutathione biosynthetic capability into Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NZ9000 improves the oxidative-stress resistance of the host. Metab. Eng., 2006, 8(6): 662-671.

9. Fu R-Y, Chen J, Li Y*. Heterologous production of transglutaminase in Lactococcus lactis significantly enhances the growth performance of the host. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2005, 71(12): 8911-8919.

10. Li Y, Hugenholtz J, Sybesma W, Abee J, Molenaar D. Using Lactococcus lactis for glutathione overproduction. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2005, 67(1): 83-90.

11. Li Y, Hugenholtz J, Abee J, Molenaar D. Glutathione protects Lactococcus lactis against oxidative stress. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2003, 69(10): 5739-5745.

Industrial Biotechnology: efficient production of commodity and specialty chemicals

12. Du C, Zhang Y, Li Y, Cao Z. A novel redox-potential-based screening strategy for rapid isolation of Klebsiella pneumoniae mutants with enhanced 1,3-propanediol producing capability. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2007, 73(14): 4515-4521

13. Liu L-M, Li Y, Zhu Y, Du G, Chen J. Redistribution of carbon flux in Torulopsis glabrata by altering vitamin and calcium level. Metab. Eng., 2007, 9(1): 21-29.

14. Zhang Y, Li Y, Du C, Liu M, Cao Z. Inactivation of aldehyde dehydrogenase: a key factor for engineering 1,3-propanediol production by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Metab. Eng., 2006, 8(6): 578-586.

15. Liu L-M, Li Y, Chen J. Redirection of the NADH oxidation pathway in Torulopsis glabrata leads to an enhanced pyruvate production. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2006, 72(2): 377-385.

16. Du C, Yan H, Zhang Y, Li Y, Cao Z. Use oxidoreduction potential as an indicator to regulate 1,3- propanediol fermentation by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2006, 69(5): 554-563.

17. Li Y, Wei G, Chen J. Glutathione: a review on biotechnological production. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2004, 66(3): 233-242 (Mini-review)

18. Li Y, He N, Guan H, Du G, Chen J. A novel poly-galacturonic acid bioflocculant REA-11 produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum: A proposed biosynthetic pathway and experimental confirmation. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2003, 63(2): 200-206.

19. Li Y, Hugenholtz J, Chen J, Lun S. Enhancement of pyruvate production by Torulopsis glabrata using a two-stage oxygen supply control strategy. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2002, 60(1-2): 101-106.

20. Li Y, Chen J, Lun S, Rui X. Efficient production of pyruvic acid by Torulopsis glabrata: the key role of vitamins and its' optimization. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2001, 55(6): 680-685.

21. Li Y, Chen J, Lun S. Biotechnological production of pyruvic acid. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2001, 57(4): 471-479 (Invited mini-review)

Laboratory Staff
Dr. Yanping Zhang
zhangyp@im.ac.cn

Qiuwei Zhao, MSc
Hongtao Xu, MSc
Tianrui Zhang, MSc
Wenchao Zheng, MSc
Hongjun Dong, MSc
Lingjiang Zhu, MSc
Zhiyan Wang, MSc