Personal information

Name: Yuan Zhilin, Ph. D. /Associate Professor

Address: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, P. R. China

Born: 25 September, 1979, Suzhou, P. R. China.

E-mail: zlyuanmycology@gmail.com

Fax: 086-571-63341304

Tel: 086-571-63105091

Career Objectives

I seek to advance the knowledge base in the field of plant microbiome, especially in species diversity and functional diversity of plant endophytes through the application of my skills and expertise in general mycology, molecular biology, and microbial ecology. I have extensive experience and training in the field of plant-symbiotic fungal (microbiome) interactions, traditional fungal taxonomy, isolation techniques, characterization of fungal community and multiple-functions using molecular tools and physiological features. I believe these skills make me ideally suited to meet the demands and challenges of any fungal biology, ecology and industrial application project.

Educational and Employment Background

*  B.Sc. in Biological Science, Department of Biology, Nanjing Normal University, 1998-2002.

*  M.Sc. in General Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, 2002-2005.

*  Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 2007-2010.

*  Assistant Professor, Chinese Academy of Forestry, July 2005 to October 2011.

*  Associate Professor, Chinese Academy of Forestry, November 2011-present.

*  Visiting scholar, Technology University of Vienna, 01. Feb. 2012-01. Feb. 2013.  

Major Scientific Achievements

*  The endophytic fungi associated with wild rice (Oryza granulata) were investigated using culturing-based and environmental "PCR" approaches. Results indicated that wild rice could host a highly diverse endophytic assembly, and some of them maybe potentially novel inferred from ITS BLAST searches.

*  Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) would be an important group of root fungal symbionts in wild rice through microscopic observation and molecular detection. A new beneficial species of DSEs (Harpophora oryzae) was described based on morphological and molecular data. Co-culture system confirmed that H. oryzae could promote plant growth and confer host resistance to fungal disease.

*  Diverse endophytic Muscodor (Xylariaceae, Ascomycota) species were first found in China. Muscodor spp. produced antibiotic volatile compounds that inhibiting a wide range of pathogens, which showed promised to exploit Muscodor as new mycofumigation agents.

*  A highly genetic diversity of laccase genes was revealed in conifer endophytes using fungal-specific laccase primers. Together with artificial litter decomposition test and qualitative assessment of laccase production, the pivotal ("pioneer decomposer ") role of endophytes in early stage of litter decomposition was highlighted.

*  We first attempt to open the “black box” of the bacterial and fungal communities associated with a halophyte plant species using the high throughput sequencing technology. We also provide clear evidence of the functional traits of the halophyte microbiome related to its salinity adaptation and effects on plant phenotypes. This work gains novel insights into the functions of plant microbiome under salinity and provides the platform to improve plant fitness with help of microbial associates in halophytes.

Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals (From 2007 to present)

Yuan Zhilin, Su Zhenzhu and Zhang Chulong. 2016. Understanding the Biodiversity and Functions of Root Fungal Endophytes: the ascomycete Harpophora oryzae as a model case. In: The Mycota Vol. IV: Environmental and Microbial Relationships, 3rd edition, ed. by Irina S. Druzhinina and Christian P. Kubicek. Springer. (unpublished)

Yuan Zhilin and Chen Lianqing. The role of endophytic fungal individuals and communities in the decomposition of Pinus massoniana needle litter. 2014. PLoS ONE, 10.1371/journal.pone.0105911.

Yuan Zhilin and Gerard J.M. Verkley. Pezicula neosporulosa sp. nov. (Helotiales, Ascomycota), an endophytic fungus associated with Abies spp. in China and Europe. Mycoscience, 2014, DOI: 10.1016/j.myc.2014.06.004.

Yuan Zhi-Lin, Chen Yi-Cun, Xu Bai-Ge, Zhang Chu-Long. 2012. Current perspectives on the volatile-producing fungal endophytes. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, DOI:10.3109/07388551.2011.651429.

Yuan Zhi-lin, Rao Long-bing, Chen Yi-cun, Zhang Chu-long and Wu You-gui. From Pattern to Process: Species and Functional Diversity in Fungal Endophytes of Conifer Abies beshanzuensis. Fungal Biology, 2011, 115(3): 197-213.

Yuan Zhi-lin, Su Zhen-zhu, Mao Li-juan, Peng Yang-qing, Yang Guan-mei, Lin Fu-cheng and Zhang Chu-long. Distinctive endophytic fungal assemblage in stems of wild rice (Oryza granulata) in China with special reference to two species of Muscodor (Xylariaceae). Journal of Microbiology, 2011, 49: 15-23.

Yuan Zhi-lin, Chen Yi-cun, Ma Xia-jun. 2011. Symbiotic fungi in roots of Artemisia annua with special reference to endophytic colonizers. Plant Biosystems‏, 145: doi: 10.1080/11263504.2010.544863.

Yuan Zhi-lin, Zhang Chu-long, Lin Fu-cheng and Christian P. Kubicek. Identity, Diversity, and Molecular Phylogeny of the Endophytic Mycobiota in Rare Wild Rice Roots (Oryza granulata) from a Nature Reserve in Yunnan, China. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2010, 76: 1642-1652.

Yuan Zhi-lin, Zhang Chu-long and Lin Fu-cheng. Role of Diverse Non-Systemic Fungal Endophytes in Plant Performance and Response to Stress: Progress and Approaches. Journal of Plant Growth and Regulation, 2010, 29: 116-126.

Yuan Zhi-lin, Lin Fu-cheng, Zhang Chu-long and Kubicek Christian P. A new species of Harpophora (Magnaporthaceae) recovered from healthy wild rice (Oryza granulata) roots, representing a novel member of beneficial dark septate endophyte. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2010, 307: 94-101.

Yuan Zhi-lin, Chen Yi-cun and Yang Yun. Diverse non-mycorrhizal fungal endophytes inhabiting an epiphytic, medicinal orchid (Dendrobium nobile): estimation and characterization. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2009, 25: 295-303.

Zhi-Lin Yuan, Chuan-Chao Dai, Xia Li, Lin-Shuang Tian and Xing-Xiang Wang. Extensive host range of an endophytic fungus affects the growth and physiological functions in rice (Oryza sativa L.) Symbiosis, 2007, 43 (1): 21-28.

Yuan Zhi-lin, Dai Chuan-chao and Chen Lian-qing. Regulation and accumulation of secondary metabolites in plant-fungus symbiotic system. African Journal of Biotechnology, 2007, 6: 1266-1271.