Wencai Yang

1039 Point of View Dr. Apt. D, Wooster, OH 44691, USA

Phone: (330)264-9034 (home),  (330)263-3682 (lab)
E-MAIL: yang.385@osu.edu

 

Research Interests

Application of molecular techniques in plant genetics and breeding including the following areas: Plant Genetics and Breeding, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant-Microbe Interactions (traditional and molecular), Developing Molecular Markers, Marker-assisted Selection, etc.

Current research focuses on developing molecular markers and using them for marker-assisted selection in tomato disease resistance and color trait breeding including the following areas: (i) discovery, mapping and application of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum); (ii) pyramiding resistance to bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) and bacterial speck (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato) with marker-assisted selection; (iii) mapping QTLs for resistance to bacterial spot using simple sequence repeat (SSR), cleaved amplified polymorphisms (CAP), SNP and other lab-developed molecular markers. (iv) characterizating interactions between tomato plants and bacteria.

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Education

1997.3 ---- 2000.6

            Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA.

            Major: Plant Genetics and Breeding/Molecular Biology

            Major advisor: David B. Weaver, Ph.D, Professor.

1990.9 ---- 1993.7

            Master of Science in Crop Genetics and Breeding, The Graduate School of Chinese  Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.

            Major: Crop Genetics and Breeding

            Major advisor: Q. Zhang, Professor 

1986.9 ---- 1990.7

            Bachelor Degree in Agronomy, College of Agriculture (former Jiangsu Agricultural College), Yangzhou University, Yangzhou , Jiangsu Province, P. R. China. 

            Major: Agronomy

June 12-30, 1996    

            Participant in China-American Lecture and Study Class on Academic Exchange and Application Technology of Biology (Given by Dr. Jan E. Leach, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Kansas State University).

 

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Honor and Award

• Breeding and application of near iso-genic japonica lines for resistance to bacterial blight in China.  The first place award for progress in science and technology, the Ministry of Agriculture, the People’s Republic of China. 1998.  The second place award for technology invention, the State Council, the People’s Republic of China. 2000.

• Inducted into Gamma Sigma Delta, Agriculture Honor Society, 1999.

• Inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, 2000.

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Professional Skills

 

Lab and field techniques:

• Proficient at Plant Genetics and Breeding.

• Proficient at PCR-based molecular techniques, such as AFLP, SSR, CAP, SNP, etc.

• Basic training in tissue culture, molecular cloning, RFLP and library construction.

• Proficient at design and implementation of field and greenhouse experiments.

• Proficient at maintaining cultures of Cercospora sojina, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, and rearing Nasonia.

• Proficient at the use of Long ReadIR 4200 automatic DNA sequencer (LI-COR), DNA synthesizer, etc.

Computer skills:

• Proficient at the use of Mapmaker/EXP and Mapmaker/QTL.

• Data analysis using PC-SAS, LOTUS 1-2-3, Microsoft Excel, GeneScan, Genotyper, etc.

• Proficient at the use of Wordperfect, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, etc

• Proficient at the use of BLAST and DNA sequence data analysis software.

 

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Professional Experience and Contributions

 2001.6 ---- current

Post doctoral researcher, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, USA.

 

Currently working on marker-assisted selection in tomato breeding including the following areas: (i) marker-assisted selection for disease resistance to bacterial spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria) and bacterial speck (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato); (ii) QTL mapping for resistance to bacterial spot using SSR, CAP and other lab-developed markers; (iii) discovery, mapping and application of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). (iv) construction of plasmid DNA library for Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. 

 

            Key Contributions:

    ·       Successfully developed germplasms for resistance to both bacterial speck and spot using marker-assisted selection.

    ·       Successfully developed a method of computer based “mining” of DNA sequence data, laboratory-based confirmation and identified SNP linked to color trait.

    ·    Identified QTLs conferring resistance to bacterial spot in PI114490 and Hawaii 7998.

 

2000.6 ---- 2001.6

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biology, University of Rochester,  Rochester, New York, USA.

 

Worked on construction of genetic linkage map for Nasonia, QTL analysis of female mating discrimination in N. longicornis and mapping of hybrid inviability in Nasonia using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP).

 

1997.3 ---- 2000.6

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.

           

Worked on resistance to frogeye leaf spot (caused by Cercospora sojina) of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) and mapping of the resistance gene in 'Peking' using AFLP and microsatellite techniques.

 

            Key Contributions:

·       Identified two molecular markers (one AFLP marker and one SSR marker) linked to a new gene for resistance to frogeye leaf spot (caused by Cercospora sojina) in soybean cultivar ‘Peking’ (see publication).

·       Constructed a genetic linkage map for soybean using intraspecific cross of two cultivars: ‘Peking’ and ‘Lee’.

·       Identified 660 accessions resistant to frogeye leaf spot from maturity groups VI and VII of soybean germplasm [GRIN evaluation information].  Twelve of them are completely highly resistant or immune (see publication).

 

1990.8 ---- 1997.3

            Graduate Research Assistant, Research Assistant and Assistant Researcher, Institute of Crop       

            Breeding and Cultivation, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China.

 

Worked on inheritance of resistance to bacterial blight of rice (BB, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.), including evaluation of resistance to BB in germplasm, genetic analysis of resistant germplasm, breeding near isogenic lines for resistance to BB, tagging genes for resistance to BB in rice using molecular markers, introducing exogenous resistance genes from wild rice into cultivars by using bio-techniques, and analysis of genetic structure of rice bacterial blight pathogen in China by using rep-PCR.

 

Key Contributions:

·       Developed the first set of near-isogenic japonica rice lines for resistance to bacterial blight.  (see honor and award)

·       Analyzed genetic diversity of Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae using rep-PCR.

·       Identified SSR, RFLP and AFLP markers linked to a new gene for resistance to bacterial blight of rice.  

·       Studied the inheritance of resistance to bacterial blight of rice in wide compatible varieties and other indica/japonica varieties.

·    Identified 125 cultivars resistant to bacterial blight of rice from 2014 varieties and 7 wild rice species resistant to bacterial blight of rice from 295 wild species.

 

1988 ---- 1990.5

Worked on compatibility of standard wide compatibility testers of rice in China.

 

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Membership and Research-related Activities

• American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) since 1997.

• American Society for Horticultural Science.

• Gamma Sigma Delta, the Honor of Society of Agriculture since 1999.
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi since 2000.
• Member of the Association of Chinese Soil and Plant Scientists in North America since 2000.
• Reviewer of Crop Science, Agronomy Journal, Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, and HortScience.
• Soybean tourKentucky and Tennessee, 1999.
• Participant, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA annual meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1999.
• Participant, Li-COR user’s meeting, Lincoln, Nebraska, November 1999.
• Speaker, Southern Soybean Disease Workshop, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, USA. May 2000.
• Participant, Hymenopteran Genetics and Development Meeting, Washington, D.C.  USA. March 24, 2001
• Participant, Plant and Animal Genome XI Conference, San Diego, CA, USA.  January 11-15, 2003.
• Speaker, Tomato Breeder Roundtable, Park City, Utah, USA. April 27-30, 2003.
• Invited speaker, 1st international symposium on tomato diseases and 19th annual tomato disease workshop.  Orlando, Florida, USA.  June 20-24, 2004.
• Speaker, Tomato Breeders Roundtable, Annapolis, Maryland, USA.  October 17-20, 2004. 
• Participant, Plant and Animal Genome XIII Conference, San Diego, CA, USA.  January 15-19, 2005.

 

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Publications and Presentations

Refereed Journal Articles

1.       Wencai Yang, and David M. Francis.  2005.  Marker-assisted selection in combining resistance to bacterial spot and bacterial speck in tomato.  Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 130: 716-721.

2.       Wencai Yang, Erik J. Sacks, Melanie L. Lewis Ivey, Sally A. Miller, and David M. Francis.  2005.  Resistance in Lycopersicon esculentum intraspecific crosses to race T1 strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria causing bacterial spot of tomato.  Phytopathology 95: 519-527. [PDF]

3.       Berend-Jan Velthuis, Wencai Yang, Tim van Opijnen, and John H. Werren.  2005.  Genetics of female mate discrimination of heterospecific males in Nasonia.  Animal Behavior 69: 1107-1120. [PDF]

4.       Wencai Yang, Xiaodong Bai, Eileen Kabelka, Christina Eaton, Sophien Kamoun, Esther van der Knaap, and David Francis. 2004.  Discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Lycopersicon esculentum by computer aided analysis of expressed sequence tags.  Molecular Breeding 14: 21-34. [PDF]

5.       Eileen Kabelka, Wencai Yang, and David M. Francis.  2004.   Improved tomato fruit color within an inbred backcross line derived from Lycopersicon esculentum and L. Hirsutum involves the interaction of loci.  Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 129(2): 250-257. [PDF]

6.       Qi Zhang, Chunlian Wang, Kaijun Zhao, Wencai Yang, Feng Qiao, Yongli Zhou, Qixiang Jiang, and Guchun Liu.  2002.  Development of near-isogenic line CBB23 with a new resistance gene to bacterial blight in rice and its application.  Chinese Journal of Rice Science 16(3): 206-210.

7.       W. Yang, D. B. Weaver, B. L. Nielsen, and J. Qiu.  2001.  Molecular mapping of a new gene for resistance to frogeye leaf spot of soybean in ‘Peking’.  Plant Breeding 120: 73-78. [PDF] 

8.       Wencai Yang and David B. Weaver.  2001.  Resistance to frogeye leaf spot in maturity groups VI and VII of soybean germplasm.  Crop Sci. 41: 549-552.  [PDF] 

9.       Wang Chunlian, Zhang Qi, Zhou Yongli, Yang Wencai, Xing Quandang, and Zhao Kaijun.  2001.  Distribution and variation of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae in China.  Acta Phytopathologica Sinica 31(3): 41-45.

10.   Qi Zhang, Bingyu Zhao, Kaijun Zhao, Chunlian Wang, Wencai Yang, Shicheng Lin, Gengsheng Que, Yongli Zhou, Daoyuan Li, Chengbin Chen, and Lihuang Zhu.  2000.  Identifying and mapping a new gene Xa-23^(t) for resistance to bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) from O. rufipogon.  Acta Agronomica Sinica 26(5): 536-542.

11.   Zhang Qi, Yang Wencai, Shi Ainong, Wang Chunlian, Que Gengsheng, Zhao Bingyu, Xing Quandang.  1998.  Breeding of three near‑isogenic japonica rice lines with major genes for resistance to bacterial blight.  Acta Agronomica Sinica 24(6): 799‑804.

12.   Zhai Wenxue, Lu Chaofu, Zhu Lihuang,Yang Wencai, and Zhao Kaijun.  1996.  PCR analysis of half‑seeds of corn crops and its application in marker‑assisted selection and breeding.  Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 12(4): 416‑421.

13.   Zhang Qi, Yang Wencai, Shi Ainong, Wang Chunlian, Zhu Lihong, Sha Xueyan, Zhu Peixin, Lu Ziqiang, Xie Yuefeng, Zhang Duanpin, Lin Xinhua and Yu Gongxin.  1996.  Discussion on standardized question of genetic study for resistance to bacterial blight of rice (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) in China.  Scientia Agricultura Sinica 29(4): 85‑92.

14.   Chaofu Lu, Xiaobing Li, Lihuang Zhu, Qi Zhang and Wencai Yang.  1996.  A PCR marker‑based selection for resistance to bacterial blight of rice.  Acta Genetica Sinica 23(2): 110‑116.

15.   Zhang Qi, Shi Ainong, Yang Wencai, and Wang Chunlian.  Breeding of three near‑isogenic japonica rice lines with different major genes for resistance to bacterial blight.  Acta Agronomica Sinica. 1996. 22(2): 135‑141. CRRN (in English). 1995. 3(1): 6‑8.

16.   Yang Wencai, Zhang Qi and Wang Chunlian.  1995.  Evaluation and genetic analysis of resistance to bacterial blight of rice in wide compatible varieties.  Beijing Agricultural Sciences 13(6): 13‑16.

17.   Zhu Heng, Zhang Qi, Wang Chunlian, Yang Wencai, and Zhu Lihuang.  1995.  RAPD typing of rice blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.  Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 11(3): 281‑284.

18.   Wang Chunlian, Zhang Qi and Yang Wencai.  1995.  Evaluation of resistance to bacterial blight of rice.  Crop Genetic Resources (2): 26‑30.

19.   Yang Wencai, Zhang Qi and Wang Chunlian.  1994.  Inheritance of resistance to bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) in six indica rice cultivars.  Journal of Huazhong Agricultural University 13(3): 234‑240.

20.   Zhang Qi, Shi Ainong, Wang Chunlian, Bai Jianfa and Yang Wencai.  1994.  Genetic studies of resistance to bacterial blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) in nine rice cultivars. Acta Agronomica Sinica 20(1): 84‑92.

21.   Shi Ainong, Zhang Qi, Wang Chunlian, Bai Jianfa and Yang Wencai.  1993.  Genetic analysis of resistance to bacterial blight in indica rice.  Journal of Huazhong Agricultural University 12(3): 215‑220.

22.   Gu Minghong, Pan Xuebiao, Chen Zongxiang and Yang Wencai.  1991.  A study on compatibility of standard wide compatibility testers of rice in China.  Scientia Agricultura Sinica 24(6): 27‑32.

 

Editor-reviewed Journal Articles

23.   W. Yang, J. W. Scott, S. A. Miller, J. Jones, and D. M. Francis.  Mining tomato genome sequence database for molecular markers: application to bacterial resistance and marker-assisted selection.  Acta Horticulturae (accepted)

24.   W. Yang, D. B. Weaver, B. L. Nielsen and J. Qiu.  2000.  A preliminary genetic linkage map of soybean using an intraspecific cross of two cultivars:  ‘Peking’ and ‘Lee.’  Soybean Genetics Newsletter 27.  [WEB] 

25.   Qi Zhang, S.C. Lin, B.Y. Zhao, C. L. Wang, W. C. Yang, Y. L. Zhou, D. Y. Li, C. B. Chen, and L. H. Zhu.  1998.  Identification and tagging a new gene for resistance to bacterial blight from O. rufipogon.  Rice Genetic Newsletter Vol. 15: 138‑142.

 

Book Chapter and Bulletin

26.   Wencai Yang and David Francis.  Genetics and breeding for resistance to bacterial diseases in tomato: prospects for marker assisted selection: In Genetic Improvement of Solanaceous Crops. Vol. 1: Tomato.  Eds. M. K. Razdan and Antar K. Mattoo.  Science Publishers, USA.  2005 (in press).

27.   Zhang Qi, J. E. Leach, Wang Chunlian, Yang Wencai.  1997.  Study on the genetic diversity of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae to enhance rice breeding.  Chinese Agricultural Sciences: for the compliments to the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.  China Agricultural Scientech Press, Beijing, China, pp15‑21

 

Abstract for Conference and Presentations

28.   Wencai Yang, Gitta L. Coaker, Michael T. Kinter, and David M. Francis.  2005.  Proteomic and gene expression analysis of the tomato-Clavibacter interaction: a role for oxidative defense and counter-defense?  Plant and Animal Genome XIII, January 15-19, 2005. San Diego, CA, USA. (Poster presentation)  [WEB]

29.   W. Yang, J. W. Scott, S. A. Miller, J. Jones, and D. M. Francis.  2004.  The genetic basis of resistance to multiple races of bacterial spot in PI 114490.  Tomato Breeders Roundtable.  October 17-20, 2004.  Annapolis, Maryland, USA.  (Oral presentation)

30.   David Francis, Audrey Darrigues, Wencai Yang, and Alba McIntyre.  2004.  A strategy for improving the color and nutritional value of tomatoes by breeding for a reduction in color disorders.  Tomato Breeders Roundtable.  October 17-20, 2004.  Annapolis, Maryland, USA.

31.   W. Yang, J. W. Scott, S. A. Miller, J. Jones, and D. M. Francis.  2004.  Mining the tomato genome sequence database for molecular markers: application to bacterial resistance and marker-assisted selection.  1st international symposium on tomato diseases and 19th annual tomato disease workshop.  June 20-24, 2004. Orlando, Florida, USA.   (Invited oral presentation)

32.   G. Coaker, W. Yang, B. Willard, M. Kinter, E. Stockinger, and D. Francis.  2004.  The interaction proteome of tomato and Clavibacter michiganensis.  Phytopathology 94:S123.

33.   Wencai Yang and David M. Francis.  2003.  Marker-assisted selection in breeding for resistance to bacterial spot and speck. Tomato Breeder Roundtable, April 27-30, 2003. Park City, Utah, USA.  (Oral presentation)

34.   David M. Francis, Wencai Yang, and Eileen Kabelka.  2003.  Marker assisted breeding for improved color and color uniformity.  Tomato Breeder Roundtable, April 27-30, 2003. Park City, Utah, USA.

35.   Wencai Yang, Xiaodong Bai, Christina Eaton, Sophien Kamoun, Esther van der Knaap, and David Francis. 2003.  Discovery, mapping and application of single nucleotide polymorphisms in Lycopersicon esculentum. Plant and Animal Genome XI, January 11-15, 2003. San Diego, CA, USA.  (Poster presentation) [WEB]

36.   Berend-Jan Velthuis, Wencai Yang, Tim can Opijnen, and John H. Werren.  2001.  Intraspecific variation in sexual isolation: Major genes for female mate discrimination in Nasonia.  Hymenopteran Genetics and Development Meeting, March 24, 2001. Washington, D.C. USA.

37.   W. Yang, D. B. Weaver, J. Qiu, and B. L. Nielsen.  2000.   Identification of molecular markers linked to a new gene conferring resistance to frogeye leaf spot in ‘Peking’ soybean.  Proc. Southern Soybean Dis. Workers.  Ft. Walton Beach, FL. USA. p.14. (Oral presentation)

38.   Zhang Q., S. C. Lin, B. Y. Zhao, C. L. Wang, W. C. Yang, K. J. Zhao, L. H. Zhu, D. Y. Li, and C. B. Chen.  2000.  A new gene for resistance to bacterial blight from Oryzae rufipogon. International Rice Genetics Symposium.  October 22-27, 2000.  IRRI, Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines.

39.   Zhang Q., B. Y. Zhao, C. L. Wang, W. C. Yang, Y. L. Zhou, and L. H. Zhu.  1999.  Identification and mapping a new gene for resistance to bacterial blight from Oryzae rufipogon.  General Meeting of the International Program on Rice Biotechnology.  September 20-24, 1999.  Phuket, Thailand.

40.  Zhang Qi, C. L. Wang, W. C. Yang, B. Y. Zhao, Z. B. Tan, Y. L. Zhou, L. H. Zhu, and J. E. Leach.  1996.  Genetic structure study of bacterial blight for rice breeding in China.  East Asia Regional Meeting of the International Program on Rice Biotechnology, November 5-8, 1996.  Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China.  p. 26-27.

41.   Shi A. N., Q. Zhang, C. L. Wang, J. F. Bai, and W. C. Yang.  1992.  Genetics of resistance to three strains of bacterial blight in five indica rice cultivars. Proceedings of 6^th Symposium of North-central China's Phytopathological Society. September 1992. Hohohot, Inner Mongolian.

42.   Ainong Shi, Qi Zhang, Chunlian Wang, Jianfa Bai and Wencai Yang.  1992.  Inheritance of Indica-Japonica hybrid rice in resistance to bacterial blight.  Proceedings of 6^th Symposium of North-central China’s Phytopathological Society.  September 1992.  Hohohot, Inner Mongolian.

 

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