Publications Facilities Research

 
 
 
 
NAME: Zhanjiang (John) Liu
AFFILIATIONS: Alumni Professor and Director, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures and Program of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, and Director, Aquatic Genomics Unit, Auburn University.
MAILING ADDRESS: 203 Swingle Hall
The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory
Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures 
Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849 USA
TELEPHONE: (334)-844-4054 (office), (334)-844-4085 (lab)
FAX: (334)-844-9208
E-mail: zliu@acesag.auburn.edu

 
 

EDUCATION

Ph.D.1990
Molecular and Cellular Biology 


University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota
Thesis: "Development of vectors for expression of transgenes in fish: regulation of the carp b-actin gene". Thesis Adviser: Dr. Perry B. Hackett

M.S. 1986
Plant Pathology 


University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 
Thesis: "Effects of growth substances on hypersensitive response and fungus development".
Thesis Adviser: Dr. William R. Bushnell 

B.S. 1982
Microbiology, with highest honor


Northwestern Agricultural University, Shaanxi Province, China
Thesis: " Taxonomy of powdery mildews using molecular markers”.
Thesis Adviser: Dr. Jianyi Li


 

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

 

2004-present Distinguished Alumni Professor, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures and the Program of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
2005-present China Programs Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Auburn University.
2002-2003 Distinguished Alumni Associate Professor, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures and the Program of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
2002-present Director, Aquatic Genomics Unit, Auburn University.
1999-2002 Associate Professor and Director, Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures and the Program of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama
1995-1999 Assistant Professor, Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures and the Program of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
1994-1995 Director, Research and Development, National Biosciences, Inc., Plymouth, Minnesota.
1991-1994 Research Professor, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN; group leader, retrovirus research group.
1990-1991 Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. W. R. Bushnell, USDA ARS Cereal Rust Laboratory, St. Paul, Minnesota.
1986-1991 Research Assistant and teaching assistant, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota.
1984-1986 Research Assistant, Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota.
1982-1983 Instructor and Researcher, Microbiology, Beijing Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
1978-1981 Research Assistant, Dr. Jianyi Li, Northwestern Agricultural University, Shaanxi, China


 

INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATIONS/APPOINTMENTS

1997-present Steering Committee member, International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture
1998-present Adjunct professor, Molecular Biology, Northwestern Agricultural University, China.
1999-present Affiliate professor, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Northwestern Sci-Tech University of Agriculture and Forestry, a "211" university ("211" Universities are a prestigious title to indicate the university belongs to the top 100 universities in the 21st century in China), China.
1999-present Adviser, National Yangling Demonstration Zone of Agricultural Hi-tech Industries, China.
1999-present Adjunct professor, Molecular Biology, Sichuan Agricultural University, a "211" university, China.
2000-present Adviser and International Expert for "Transgenic Fish Program" in Sichuan Province.

2003-present

Adjunct professor, Shanghai Fisheries University, Shanghai, China
2005-present International Director, Aquaculture Education Center of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Fisheries University, Shanghai, China.
2003-present International Advisor and Director, Key Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Shanghai Fisheries University, Shanghai, China
2003-present International Scientific Advisor, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences
2004-present Director, Sino-American Fish Functional Genomics Open Laboratory, Qingdao, China.

 

MAJOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

2003-2008 National Aquaculture Genome Coordinator, National Animal Genome Project NRSP-8.
2005 Panel Manager, USDA National Research Initiative (NRI) Porcine Genome Sequencing Panel.
2006-2009 Advisory Panel Member, Genome Research on All Salmonids (cGRASP), Canada.
2006-2009 Advisory Panel, Oceans and Human Health Initiative, NOAA, Department of Commerce
2004-present North American Editor, Marine Biotechnology
2004-present Editorial Board, Aquaculture
2002-2004 Editorial Board, Marine Biotechnology.
2007- Editorial Board, Animal Biotechnology
2007-present Editorial Board, Reviews in Aquaculture
  Reviews for over 40 professional Journals.
  Grant review panel members for numerous Grant Review Panels of USDA, NIH, NOAA, SeaGrant.
  Panel members for numerous national and international functions.
  Conference organizers for Plant and Animal Genome Aquaculture Sessions, World Aquaculture Society sessions

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

2006 Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Director’s Outstanding Research Award
2005 Featured in AAES Impact Statements, Vol. 3, No. 2.
2004 Featured in Auburn Commons, Vol. 3, No. 1
2003 Golden Summit Award from the Governor, Sichuan Province, China in recognition of “enthusiastic support to economic construction and social progress in Sichuan Province, and prominent contributions to international exchange and friendly cooperation between Sichuan and foreign contries.
2003 Featured in Ag Illustrated Vol. 1, No. 1.
2002 Distinguished Alumni Professorhip, Auburn University.
2001 College of Agriculture nominee for Creative Research Award.
2001 Research on catfish genomics featured in Birmingham News.
2000 Research exhibited on Capitol Hill, sponsored by NASULGC, Congressional Exhibition of Agricultural Research: Catfish Genome Research at Auburn University.
2000 Expert Panelist, Conference on Aquaculture Genetics in the Third Millennium, Bangkok, Thailand, organized by the United Nations.
2000 Research featured in the Football field and Auburn Tigers Magazine as one of the "Leading Authorities" at Auburn University.
2000 Nominated as a Alumni professor at Auburn University.
1999 Research featured in Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Annual Report.
1999 Appreciation Award in Recognition of Outstanding Contributions and Dedication to the Alabama Catfish Industry, Alabama Catfish Producers.
1999 Research featured in Aquaculture News.
1999 Research featured in Montgomery News, Opelika and Auburn News, Plainsman, and other major newspapers.
1990 Research featured in BioTechnology.
1989 Research reported in New York Times.
1987 Outstanding Student Leader Award, University of Minnesota.
1986 Outstanding Student Service Award, President Ken Keller’s Award, University of Minnesota.
1986 Graduate Fellowship, $12,500, University of Minnesota.
1983 Graduate Scholarship, $10,000, the Educational Council of China.
1981 Top student list, Northwestern Agricultural University.
1981 Model Student, Governor's Award, Shaanxi Province.
1978-1981 Model Student, President's Award, Northwestern AgriculturalUniversity.
1980 Model Student, Governor's Award, Shaanxi Province.


 

LEADERSHIP

2003 Founding General Committee, International Society of Aquatic Genomics.
2003-2008 National Animal Genome Project NRSP-8 Aquaculture Genome Coordinator.
2002 International Co-Chair, Aquatic Genomics Session, World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, Beijing, China.
2002-2003 Interim Chairperson, Aquaculture genomics of national project NRSP-8.
2001-2002 Organizer, national Aquaculture Genomics Workshop 2002 in San Diego, CA.

2000-2001

USDA ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Training Program, a member of Class 10. This training program has three phases: theoretical training, leadership experience, and summary. In phase 2 of the training, I have worked with Dr. Michael Moriarty, the Vice President for Research at Auburn University, and Dr. John Jensen, Head of the Fisheries Department, to establish procedures and policies concerning Research Infrastructures at Auburn University.
1997-present National Coordinator of the Catfish Species Gene Mapping Efforts.
1997-present Member, National Aquaculture Gene Mapping Executive Committee.
1998-present Representative to International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture (INGA).
1999-2000 Leading the efforts to establish a Core Genomics Facility funded by NSF at Auburn University.
1997-1999 A leading member for successfully establishing a Program of Cell and Molecular Biosciences at Auburn University.
1999-present Executive member, Cell and Molecular Biosciences Program, Auburn University.
1999 Interim Chair, Institutional Biosafety Committee.
1998-present Chair, Discipline group of “Genetics, Health, Nutrition, and Processing”, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures.
1997-present Coordinator, National Catfish Genome Project; and member of the Technical Committee of the regional project NE-186: Genomics of Aquaculture Species.
1994-1995 Research and Development Director, National Biosciences, Inc.
1991-1994 Research Leader, Retrovirus Research Group, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Minnesota Medical School.
1987-1988 Secretary general, United Association of the Friendship Associations of the Chinese Students and Scholars, the United States of America.
1986-1987 President, Association of the Chinese Students and Scholars, University of Minnesota.
1978-1981 President, Student Association, Northwestern Agricultural University.

 

 

INVITED LECTURES - INTERNATIONAL

 

2006

Keynote speaker, “status and trends in genomics and modern genetic technologies in aquaculture and fisheries”, Key note address for the CAS Conference on Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China.
2006 “Catfish Genomics, achievements and challenges”, Invited lecture at Human Normal University, Changsha, China.
2006 Plenary Session Keynote speaker “Aquaculture genomics for genetic improvement in aquaculture”, invited lecture at the International Aquaculture Genetics Conference (IAGA IX), Montpellier, France.
2006 Keynote speaker, “Aquaculture genomics: It is both aquaculture and genomics”, International Workshop on “Status and trends in aquatic genetic resources: a basis for international policy” Victoria, British Colombia, 8-10 May, 2006, Convened and supported by Fishery Resources Division, Fisheries Department of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’s (FAO), FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), & World Fisheries Trust (WFT).
2006 “A glance at catfish genomics”, invited lecture given at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada.
2005 “Innate immunity and chemokine diversity in catfish”, lecture given at the International Conference of Marine Biotechnology, St. John’s, New Foundland, Canada.
2005 “Functional genomics platform development”, lecture given at the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Qingdao, China.
2005 “Catfish Genome Research”, lecture given at Dalian Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Dalian, China.
2005 “Catfish genomics”, lecture given at Helongjiang Fisheries Research Institute, Harbin, China.
2005 “Aquaculture genomics in the United States”, lecture given at Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, China.
2005 “Catfish genomics”, lecture given at the Institute of Hydrobiolohy, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.
2004 Keynote Speaker, “Marking the genome: DNA marker technologies”, the Workshop of Application of Genome and Related Technologies in Aquatic Sciences, Shanghai, China.
2004 “Mapping the genome: what is best for my species?”, lecture given in Shanghai Fisheries University, China, for the Workshop of Application of Genome and Related Technologies in Aquatic Sciences.
2004 “Physical mapping of genomes”, lecture given in Shanghai Fisheries University, China, for the Workshop of Application of Genome and Related Technologies in Aquatic Sciences.
2004 “Are aquauculture geneticists ready for functional genomics yet?” lecture given in Shanghai Fisheries University, China, for the Workshop of Application of Genome and Related Technologies in Aquatic Sciences.
2004 “Functional genomics: a key research area in 21st century”, lecture given at Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute in conjunction with the establishment of the Sino-American Joint Laboratory of Fish Functional Genomics, Qingdao, China.
2004 “Genome research in catfish”, lecture given at China Oceanic University, Qingdao, China.
2003 “Structural genomics: strategic ways of thinking for dissection of a genome”, lecture given in Shanghai Fisheries University, China.
2003 unctional genomics: revealing functions of genes at the genome level", lecture given in Shanghai Fisheries University, China.
2003 Genomics revolution: its impact in aquaculture”, lecture given in East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
2003 Genomics revolution: its impact in aquaculture”, lecture given in Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Qingdao, China.
2003 Transgenic technologies and genomics”, lecture given in Helongjiang Fisheries Research Institute, Harbin, China.
2003 Development of genome resources in catfish and use of microarray for analysis of gene expression, invited lecture for the Second Aquatic Genome Symposium, Tokyo, Japan.
2002 “DNA markers and their applications in aquaculture and fisheries”, lecture given at ICLARM, ABBASA Office, Abbasa, Egypt.
2002 “Genomics, a rapidly expanding branch of science”, invited lecture at Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, China.
2002 “QTL mapping and application of genomics in agriculture”, invited lecture at Northwest Sci-Tech University of Agriculture and Forestry, Yangling, China.
2002 “Functional genomics”, invited lecture at Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
2002 “Catfish genomics: DNA marker technologies, linkage mapping, and functional analysis”, invited lecture in Aquaculture Genomics Session, World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, Beijing, China.
2001 Footsteps of catfish genomics, invited lecture at Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
2001 Functional genomics of catfish, invited lecture at the Galilee Research Institute, Israel.
2001 Catfish genomics, from structural genomics to functional genomics, invited lecture at the National Center of Mariculture, Eilat, Israel.
2001 Genome research and its impact on aquaculture, invited lecture for INGA , Hanoi, Vietnam.
2000 “Transgenic fish: its potential and problems for the future as a food source”, Sichuan Province Fisheries Bureau, Chengdu, China.
2000 “Gene mapping and marker-assisted selection”, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.
2000 “The role of science and technology in modern agriculture”, Southwestern Agricultural University, Chunqing, China.
2000 Genomics, its trend and the challenges for China, invited lecture in Southwestern Agricultural University, Chongqing, China.
2000 Genomics, its application, and public education, invited lecture at Sichuan Agricultural University, China.
1999 “Genomics: where is it going?” Invited lecture in Sino-American Biotechnology Conference, Yangling, Shannxi, China.
1999 “Modern Concept of Agriculture and Agricultural Technologies”, Invited lecture for the City of Yanan.
1999 “The American Political System: Perspectives and Potential Application in China”, Invited lecture at Wuqi County.
1999 “DNA marker technologies”, Invited lecture at Northwestern Forestry University, Shaanxi, China.
1999 “Transgenic fish research: from traditional approaches to stem cell technology”, Invited lecture at Northwestern Agricultural University, Shaanxi, China.
1999 “Genomics: its today and tomorrow”, Invited lecture at China Agricultural University.
1999 “Aquaculture genomics, resource analysis, and marker-assisted selection” Invited lecture at Northwestern University, Xian, China.
1999 “Gene mapping, marker-assisted selection, genetic engineering, and integrated genetic improvement programs at Auburn University” March 4, 1999. The fifth International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture (INGA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
1993 “Biotechnology: current status and its future”. Invited lecture at Beijing Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
1986 “Application of molecular techniques in plant pathology”. Seminar given at Beijing Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
 
 

INVITED LECTURES - NATIONAL

2007 Status and challenges of aquaculture genomics: Making reactions work without reagents. Invited lecture for the Conference of Convergence of Genomics and the Land Grant Mission: Emerging Trends in the Application of Genomics in Agricultural Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, September 10-12,2007.
2007 The status of aquaculture genomics: Are the waves of the genomics revolution moving anything under the water?. Invited lecture for Intermountain Systems Biology Symposium, Logan, Utah, June 5-7,2007.
2005 Pre-genome research of catfish in post-genome era, invited lecture in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
2005 EST analysis, why such a tedious approach is optimal for fish genome studies, invited lecture at the Great Lakes Water Institute, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
2002 Genomic research in fish ponds: from markers to functional genomics, invited lecture at University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical School.
2001 Catfish genomics, from DNA markers to functional genomics, invited lecture at Oklahoma State University.
2001 Footsteps of catfish genomics, a short story, invited lecture at University of New Hampshire.
1999 Catfish genomics: from DNA markers to whole genome functionality, USDA ARS Catfish genetics Unit.
1997 New Technologies and Biotechnology Industry, Invited lecture at Genovus Inc. Plymouth, Minnesota.
1997 Transgenic fish technology: its past, present, and the future. Invited lecture at the Center of Marine Biotechnology, Baltimore, MD.
1996 Transgenic catfish research: where the genes are to be from? Invited lecture at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN.
1994 Molecular analysis of promoter complexities of the endogenous retroviruses in EV- chickens. Presented at the Cold Spring Harbor Retroviruses Meeting.
1991 Application of molecular biology in plant pathology. Noble Foundation, Ardmore, OK.
1990 Development of expression vectors for transgenic fish. Seminar, Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota.
1989 Reverse cloning, a novel approach for generation of clones suitable for DNA sequencing. Seminar, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Minnesota.

 

SYMPOSIUM AND WORKSHOP TALKS

2005 “Catfish Innate Immunity Components: Chemokines and Antimicrobial Peptides. International Marine Biotechnology Conference, Newfoundland, Canada. June 8, 2005.
2005 “Genomic studies of catfish using channel catfish x blue catfish interspecific hybrid system.” World Aquaculture Society Aquaculture America 2005. New Orleans, January 18, 2005.
2004 “30,000 catfish ESTs: a case study for a set of quality standards established for the analysis of ESTs. Plant and Animal Genome XII, San Diego, CA.
2004 “Development of genomic resources of catfish”, presented in Aquaculture 2004, World Aquaculture Society Annual Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.
2004 “Mapping the catfish genome: DNA marker technologies, linkage mapping, and functional analysis. AAAS Symposium: Aquaculture: Recent Advances in Fish Culture, Breeding and the Mitigation of Environmental Impact. Seattle.
2003 “Catfish genomics: where are we going based on the progress of the first five years?” presented in Aquaculture Workshop, International Conference of Plant and Animal Genome Mapping XI, January 10-14, 2003, San Diego, CA.
2002 “Role of genetics in sustainable aquaculture” presented at the Sustainable agriculture in Alabama Symposium, Feb 24-26, 2002, Birmingham, AL.
2002 “Encyclopedia cDNA libraries of channel catfish and systematic analysis of genes, gene expression, and markers”, presented in Aquaculture Workshop, International Conference of Plant and Animal Genome Mapping X, January 11-16, 2002, San Diego, CA.
2001 "Catfish Genomics: achievements from the past and challenges in the future", presented in Aquaculture Workshop, International Conference of Plant and Animal Genome Mapping IX, January 13-17, 2001, San Diego, CA.
2000 “National progress in catfish gene mapping and marker-assisted selection”, presented in Aquaculture Workshop, International Conference of Plant and Animal Genome Mapping VIII, January 8-13, 2000, San Diego, CA.
2000 “Gene mapping, marker-assisted selection, gene cloning, and biotechnology programs at Auburn University", Albuquerque, New Mexico.
1999 “Catfish Gene Mapping, Progress and Perspectives”, Presentation in Aquaculture Workshop, International Conference of Plant and Animal Genome Mapping VII, January 17-21, 1999, San Diego, California
1998 “Progress in Catfish Gene Mapping”, Presentation in Aquaculture Workshop, International Conference of Plant and Animal Genome Mapping VI, January 13-17, San Diego, California.
1996 “Molecular cloning of an A/T-rich family of sequences from channel catfish”. Catfish Research Symposium, Nashville, TN.
1997 “Transgenic channel catfish using growth hormone gene constructs made from the "all-fish" expression vectors. Catfish Research Symposium, Nashville, TN.

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Courses Taught

Title:         Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology
Course #:  CMBL/FISH 7660, 4 cr
Fall Semester
A graduate course jointly listed under Cell and Molecular Biosciences and Fisheries focusing on DNA marker
technologies, genomics, and biotechnology.

"Molecular Genetics" FISH 7970-019, Special problems in Molecular Genetics, offered every semester, 1-5 cr

Click here for Current and Former Students
 
 

RESEARCH INTEREST

1. Genomics

2. Transgenics

3. Marker-assisted selection and DNA marker technologies

Click here for selected publications

 

|Top| |Home| |Research| |Facilities| |Publications| |Personnel| |Contact| |Links|