Professional Summary
Dr. Zhiyan Zhang is a Research Professor specializing in Animal Genetics and Breeding, with a Ph.D. in Quantitative Genetics. As a recognized expert in the field, Dr. Zhang is a distinguished member of the National Program for Outstanding Agricultural Research Talents. Dr. Zhang’s research primarily focuses on swine breeding and its practical applications, particularly in the areas of fast and precise phenotyping and genomic selection in pigs. As a key investigator, Dr. Zhang's notable achievements is the development of the "Shanxia Changhei" new pig breed and the creation of the internationally recognized swine genomic breeding chip "CC 1." Dr. Zhang’s genomic selection techniques have been successfully applied to over 300,000 pigs across major swine-producing provinces in China, leading to recognition as one of Jiangxi Province’s Top Ten Scientific Achievements in 2021.
Education
· Ph.D. in Quantitative Genetics
University of Liège, Belgium (Nov 2008 - Nov 2013)
Advisors: Dr. Lusheng Huang & Dr. Michel Georges
· M.Sc. in Animal Genetics and Breeding
Jiangxi Agricultural University, China (Sep 2005 - Jul 2008)
Advisor: Dr. Lusheng Huang
· B.Sc. in Biotechnology
Northwest A&F University, China (Sep 2001 - Jul 2005)
Professional Experience
· Research Professor (Dec 2022 - Present)
National Key Laboratory for Pig Genetic Improvement and Germplasm Innovation, Jiangxi Agricultural University
· Associate Research Professor (Oct 2016 - Dec 2022)
National Key Laboratory for Pig Genetic Improvement and Breeding Technologies, Jiangxi Agricultural University
· Assistant Research Professor (Jan 2012 - Oct 2016)
National Key Laboratory for Pig Genetic Improvement and Breeding Technologies, Jiangxi Agricultural University
· Research Intern (Jul 2008 - Dec 2011)
National Key Laboratory for Pig Genetic Improvement and Breeding Technologies, Jiangxi Agricultural University
·
Key Publications:
(1) Zhang, Z. Y.#; Ren, J.#; Ren, D. R.; Ma, J. W.; Guo, Y. M.; Huang, L. S.*; Mapping quantitative trait loci for feed consumption and feeding behaviors in a White Duroc x Chinese Erhualian resource population, Journal of Animal Science, 2009, 87(11): 3458-63.
(2) Z. Zhang; T. Druet*; Marker imputation with low-density marker panels in Dutch Holstein cattle, J Dairy Sci, 2010, 93(11): 5487-94.
(3) Z. Zhang; F. Guillaume; A. Sartelet; C. Charlier; M. Georges; F. Farnir*; T. Druet*; Ancestral haplotype-based association mapping with generalized linear mixed models accounting for stratification, Bioinformatics, 2012, 10(1093): 1-7.
(4) Zhang, Zhiyan; Hong, Yuan; Gao, Jun; Xiao, Shijun; Ma, Junwu; Zhang, Wanchang; Ren, Jun*; Huang, Lusheng*; Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Constant and Specific Loci for Hematological Traits at Three Time Stages in a White Duroc x Erhualian F-2 Resource Population, PLos One, 2013, 8(5): e63665.
(5) Zhang, Feng#; Zhang, Zhiyan#; Yan, Xueming; Chen, Hao; Zhang, Wanchang; Hong, Yuan; Huang, Lusheng*; Genome-wide association studies for hematological traits in Chinese Sutai pigs, BMC Genetics, 2014, 15: 41.
(6) F. Zhang#; Z. Zhang#*; Y. He; H. Chen; B. Yang; W. Deng; L. Huang*; RegionPlot: an r package for regional plot association results for pigs, Animal Genetics, 2014, 46(1): 94-95.
(7) Yuna He#; Junwu Ma#; Feng Zhang; Lijuan Hou; Hao Chen; Yuanmei Guo*; Zhiyan Zhang*; Multi-breed genome-wide association study reveals heterogeneous loci associated with loin eye area in pigs, Journal of Applied Genetics, 2016, 57(511): 1-8.
(8) Zhao Xueyan#; Zhao Kewei#; Ren Jun; Zhang Feng; Jiang Chao; Hong Yuan; Jiang Kai; Yang Qiang; Wang Chengbin; Ding Nengshui; Huang Lusheng; Zhang Zhiyan*; Xing Yuyun*; An imputation‐based genome‐wide association study on traits related to male reproduction in a White Duroc× Erhualian F2 population, Animal Science Journal, 2015, 12(468): 1-10.
(9) He, Yuna#; Li, Xinjian#; Zhang, Feng; Su, Ying; Hou, Lijuan; Chen, Hao; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng*; Multi-breed genome-wide association study reveals novel loci associated with the weight of internal organs., Genet Sel Evol, 2015, 47: 87-87.
(10) Wenshui Xin#; Xinjian Li#; Feng Zhang; Guorong Yan; Nengshui Ding; Lusheng Huang*; Zhiyan Zhang*; A multi-population survey on swine feeding behavior with electronic feeding devices, Archives of Animal Breeding, 2016, 59(1): 445-452.
(11) wenshui Xin#; Feng Zhang#; Guorong Yan; Wenwu Xu; Shijun Xiao; Zhiyan Zhang*; Lusheng Huang*; A whole genome sequence association study for puberty in a large Duroc×Erhualian F2 population, Animal Genetics, 2017, 20(10): 1-7.
(12) Yan Guorong; Qiao Ruimin; Zhang Feng; Xin Wenshui; Xiao Shijun; Huang Tao; Zhang Zhiyan*; Huang Lusheng; Imputation-Based Whole-Genome Sequence Association Study Rediscovered the Missing QTL for Lumbar Number in Sutai Pigs, Scientific Reports, 2017, 7(1): 615.
(13) Xin W S; Zhang F; Yan G R; Xu W W; Xiao S J; Zhang Z Y; Huang L S; A whole genome sequence association study for puberty in a large DurocxErhualian F2 population, Animal Genetics, 2018, 49(1): 29-35.
(14) Guorong Yan; Tianfu Guo; Shijun Xiao; Feng Zhang; Wenshui Xin; Tao Huang; Yiping Li; Wenwu Xu; Zhiyan Zhang*; Lusheng Huang*; Imputation-Based Whole-Genome Sequence Association Study Reveals Constant and Novel Loci for Hematological Traits in a Large-Scale Swine F2 Resource Population, Frontiers in Genetics, 2018, 9(401): 1-12.
(15) Ji, Jiuxiu; Yan, Guorong; Chen, Dong; Xiao, Shijun; Gao, Jun*; Zhang, Zhiyan*; An association study using imputed whole-genome sequence data identifies novel significant loci for growth-related traits in a Duroc x Erhualian F-2 population, Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 2019, 136(3): 217-228.
(16) Xu, Wenwu; Chen, Dong; Yan, Guorong; Xiao, Shijun; Huang, Tao; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng*; Rediscover and Refine QTLs for Pig Scrotal Hernia by Increasing a Specially Designed F-3 Population and Using Whole-Genome Sequence Imputation Technology, Frontiers in Genetics, 2019, 10: 890.
(17) Guo, Tianfu; Gao, Jun; Yang, Bin; Yan, Guorong; Xiao, Shijun; Zhang, Zhiyan; Huang, Lusheng; A whole genome sequence association study of muscle fiber traits in a White DurocxErhualian F-2 resource population, Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2020, 33(5): 704-711.
(18) Zheng, Min#; Xiao, Shijun#; Guo, Tianfu; Rao, Lin; Li, Longyun; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng*; DNA methylomic homogeneity and heterogeneity in muscles and testes throughout pig adulthood, Aging, 2020, 12(1-10).
(19) Xie, Lei; Qin, Jiangtao; Rao, Lin; Tang, Xi; Cui,Dengshuai; Chen Liqing; Xu, Wenwu; Xiao, Shijun*; Zhang,zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng; Accurate prediction and genome﹚ide association analysis of digital intramuscular fat content in longissimus muscle of pigs, Animal Genetics, 2021.
(20) Chen, Dong; Xin, Wenshui; Yao, Tianxiong; Rao, Lin; Xu, Shiqian; Xiao, Shijun*; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Multi-breed investigation of pig social rank and biological rhythm based on feeding behaviors at electronic feeding stations, Livestock Science, 2021, 245(2021): 104419.
(21) Yan,Guorong#; Liu,Xianxian#; Xiao,Shijun; Xin,Wenshui; Xu,Wenwu; Li,Yiping; Huang,Tao; Qin,Jiangtao; Xie,Lei; Ma,Junwu*; Zhang,zhiyan*; Huang,Lusheng; An imputed whole-genome sequence-based GWAS approach pinpoints causal mutations for complex traits in a specific swine population, Science China Life Sciences, 2021, 10(1).
(22) Xu,Wenwu; Liu,Xiaodong; Liao,Mingfu; Xiao,Shijun; Zheng,Min; Yao,Tianxiong; Chen,Zuoqian; Huang,Lusheng; Zhang,Zhiyan*; FMixFN: A Fast and big data-oriented genomic selection model based on iterative conditional expectation algorithm, Frontiers in Genetics, 2021, 12(1): 1-10.
(23) Zheng, Min*; Guo, Tianfu; Yang, Bin; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng*; Origin, evolution, and tissue-specific functions of the porcine repetitive element 1, Genetics Selection Evolution, 2022, 54(1): 54.
(24) Tang, Xi; Xie, Lei; Liu, Siyi; Chen, Zuoquan; Rao, Lin; Chen, Liqing; Li, Longyun; Xiao, Shijun; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng; Extensive evaluation of prediction performance for 15 pork quality traits using large scale VIS/NIRS data, Meat Science, 2022, 192: 108902.
(25) Chen, Zuoquan; Xie, Lei; Tang, Xi; Zhang, Zhiyan*; NanoCross: A pipeline that detecting recombinant crossover using ONT sequencing data, Genomics, 2022, 114(6): 110499.
(26) Tang, Xi; Rao, Lin; Xie, Lei; Yan, Min; Chen, Zuoquan; Liu, Siyi; Chen, Liqing; Xiao, Shijun; Ding, Nengshui; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng; Quantification and visualization of meat quality traits in pork using hyperspectral imaging, Meat Science, 2023, 196: 109052.
(27) Liu, Siyi; Yao, Tianxiong; Chen, Dong; Xiao, Shijun; Chen, Liqing; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Genomic prediction in pigs using data from a commercial crossbred population: insights from the Duroc x (Landrace x Yorkshire) three-way crossbreeding system, Genetics Selection Evolution, 2023, 55(1): 21.
(28) Xie, Lei; Qin, Jiang-tao; Rao, Lin; Cui, Deng-shuai; Tang, Xi; Xiao, Shi-jun*; Zhang, Zhi-yan*; Huang, Lu-sheng; Effects of carcass weight, sex and breed composition on meat cuts and carcass trait in finishing pigs, Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 2023, 22(5): 1489-1501.
(29) Xie, Lei; Qin, Jiangtao; Yao, Tianxiong; Tang, Xi; Cui, Dengshuai; Chen, Liqing; Rao, Lin; Xiao, Shijun; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng; Genetic dissection of 26 meat cut, meat quality and carcass traits in four pig populations, Genetics Selection Evolution, 2023, 55(1): 43.
(30) Tong, Xinkai; Chen, Dong; Hu, Jianchao; Lin, Shiyao; Ling, Ziqi; Ai, Huashui; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng*; Accurate haplotype construction and detection of selection signatures enabled by high quality pig genome sequences, Nature Communications, 2023, 14(1): 5126.
(31) Xie, Lei; Qin, Jiangtao; Rao, Lin; Cui, Dengshuai; Tang, Xi; Chen, Liqing; Xiao, Shijun; Zhang, Zhiyan*; Huang, Lusheng*; Genetic dissection and genomic prediction for pork cuts and carcass morphology traits in pig, Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 2023, 14(1): 116.
Research Projects
Principal Investigator:
1. National Natural Science Foundation of China
"Genetic Parameters Estimation and Molecular Mechanism Analysis of Carcass Economic Cuts in Pigs"
(Grant No. 32160782, CNY 340,000, 2022-2025)
2. National Natural Science Foundation of China
"Systematic Analysis of Temporal, Breed-Specific, and Tissue-Specific Methylation Genes in Pigs Using High-Coverage Methylation Sequencing Technology"
(Grant No. 31760656, CNY 380,000, 2018-2021, Completed)
3. National Natural Science Foundation of China - Emergency Management Project
"Genome-Wide Resequencing Association Analysis to Identify Susceptibility Loci for Pig Scrotal Hernia"
(Grant No. 31640046, CNY 150,000, 2017, Completed)
4. Sub-Project of National Key R&D Program
"Identification, Functional Analysis, and Breeding Value Evaluation of Key Protein Machines Regulating Pig Lipid Metabolism"
(2020-2025, CNY 1.995 million, Ongoing)
5. Jiangxi Provincial Key R&D Project
"Breeding of High-Quality and Efficient New Pig Lines"
(2024-2026, CNY 10 million, Ongoing)
6. Jiangxi Provincial Agricultural Development Project
"Promotion and Application of 'Zhongxin No. 1'"
(2022-2026, CNY 6 million, Ongoing)
Co-Investigator or Participant:
7. National Natural Science Foundation of China - Regional Project
"Molecular Mechanism of Major QTLs on Pig Chromosome 7 Affecting Feed Conversion Ratio"
(Grant No. 31460590, CNY 550,000, 2015-2018, Completed)
8. National Natural Science Foundation of China - Young Scientists Fund
"Construction of a Hotspot Map of Pig Genome Recombination and Study of PRDM9 Gene Related to Recombination Hotspots"
(Grant No. 31402058, CNY 250,000, 2015-2017, Completed)
9. National Natural Science Foundation of China - Young Scientists Fund
"Study on the Mechanism of Niacin Regulating Intramuscular Fat (IMF) Deposition in Xiangzhong Black Cattle"
(Grant No. 31402100, CNY 240,000, 2015-2017, Completed)
10. National Natural Science Foundation of China - Young Scientists Fund
"Molecular Mechanism Analysis of the Causal Mutation PPARD G32E for Pig Outer Ear Size"
(Grant No. 31301950, CNY 230,000, 2014-2016, Completed)
11. National Natural Science Foundation of China - Young Scientists Fund
"Molecular Genetic Mechanism Analysis of Major QTLs on Pig Chromosome 16 Affecting Muscle Saturated Fatty Acid Content (C20:0)"
(Grant No. 31200926, CNY 210,000, 2013-2015, Completed)
12. National Natural Science Foundation of China - Young Scientists Fund
"Fine Mapping and Identification of Paternally Imprinted Genes Significantly Affecting Meat pH on Pig Chromosome 15"
(Grant No. 31101697, CNY 250,000, 2012-2014, Completed)
