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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » People & Locations » Zongrang Liu

Zongrang Liu
Research Molecular Biologist


Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
Regulatory frameworks involved in the floral induction, formation and developmental programming of woody horticultural plants: a case study on blueberries - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Song, G., Liu, Z., Zhong, G. 2024. Regulatory frameworks involved in the floral induction, formation and developmental programming of woody horticultural plants: a case study on blueberries. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15:1336892. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1336892.
CW198 acts as a genetic insulator to block enhancer-promoter interaction in plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Jiang, L., Liu, Y., Wen, Z., Yang, Y., Singer, S., Bennett Jr, D.R., Xu, W., Su, Z., Yu, Z., Cohn, J., Chae, H., Que, Q., Liu, Z. 2022. CW198 acts as a genetic insulator to block enhancer-promoter interaction in plants. Transgenic Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-022-00326-6.
An improved procedure for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of citrus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Li, Y., Tang, D., Liu, Z., Chen, J., Cheng, B., Li, Y. 2022. An improved procedure for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of citrus. Plants. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11111457.
Genome-wide changes of regulatory non-coding RNAs reveal pollen development initiated at ecodormancy in peach - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yu, J., Bennett Jr, D.R., Dardick, C.D., Zhebentyayeva, T., Abbott, A., Liu, Z., Staton, M. 2021. Genome-wide changes of regulatory non-coding RNAs reveal pollen development initiated at ecodormancy in peach. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2021.612881.
Thermal-responsive genetic and epigenetic regulation of DAM cluster controlling dormancy and chilling requirement in peach floral buds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhu, H., Chen, P., Zhong, S., Dardick, C.D., Callahan, A.M., An, Y., Van Knocker, S., Yang, Y., Zhong, G., Abbott, A., Liu, Z. 2020. Thermal-responsive genetic and epigenetic regulation of DAM cluster controlling dormancy and chilling requirement in peach floral buds. Horticulture Research. 7:Article 114. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-020-0336-y.
Distinctive gene expression patterns define endodormancy to ecodormancy transition in apricot and peach - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yu, J., Conrad, A., Decroocq, V., Zhebentyayeva, T., Williams, D., Bennett Jr, D.R., Roch, G., Audergon, J., Dardick, C.D., Liu, Z., Abbott, A., Staton, M. 2020. Distinctive gene expression patterns define endodormancy to ecodormancy transition in apricot and peach. Frontiers in Plant Science. 11:180. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00180.
Association of the phenylpropanoid pathway with dormancy and adaptive trait variation in apricot (Prunus armeniaca) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Conrad, A., Yu, J., Staton, M., Audergon, J., Decroocq, V., Knagge, K., Chen, H., Zhebentyayeva, T., Liu, Z., Dardick, C.D., Nelson, D., Abbott, A. 2019. Association of the phenylpropanoid pathway with dormancy and adaptive trait variation in apricot (Prunus armeniaca). Tree Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/tpz053.
Exposure in vitro to an environmentally isolated strain TC09 of Cladosporium sphaerospermum triggers plant growth promotion, early flowering and fruit yield increase - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Li, Z., Janisiewicz, W.J., Liu, Z., Callahan, A.M., Evans, B.E., Jurick II, W.M., Dardick, C.D. 2019. Exposure in vitro to an environmentally isolated strain TC09 of Cladosporium sphaerospermum triggers plant growth promotion, early flowering and fruit yield increase. Frontiers in Plant Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01959.
Small RNAs, emerging regulators critical for the development of horticultural traits - ()
Xia, R., Chen, C., Zeng, Z., Liu, Z. 2018. Small RNAs, emerging regulators critical for the development of horticultural traits. Horticulture Research. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-018-0072-8.
Discovery and molecular characterization of a new luteovirus identified by high-throughput sequencing from apple - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Liu, H., Wu, L., Nikolaevera, E., Peter, K., Liu, Z., Mollov, D.S., Cao, M., Li, R. 2018. Discovery and molecular characterization of a new luteovirus identified by high-throughput sequencing from apple. Virology Journal. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-018-0998-3.
Dynamic changes of genome-wide DNA methylation during soybean seed development Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
An, Y., Goettel, H.W., Han, Q., Bartels, A., Liu, Z., Xiao, W. 2017. Dynamic changes of genome-wide DNA methylation during soybean seed development. Scientific Reports. 7:12263. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-12510-4.
Molecular characterization of a novel Luteovirus from peach identified by high-throughput sequencing - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wu, L., Liu, H., Bateman, M., Liu, Z., Li, R. 2017. Molecular characterization of a novel Luteovirus from peach identified by high-throughput sequencing. Archives of Virology. 162:2903-2905.
SacB-SacR gene cassette as the negative selection marker to suppress Agrobacterium overgrowth in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation - ()
Liu, Y., Miao, J., Traore, S., Kong, D., Liu, Y., Zhang, X., Nimchuk, Z., Liu, Z., Zhao, B. 2016. SacB-SacR gene cassette as the negative selection marker to suppress Agrobacterium overgrowth in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences. 3(70):1-9.
A novel two-step method for screening shade tolerant mutant plants via dwarfism - ()
Li, W., Katin-Grazzini, L., Krishnan, S., Thammina, C., El-Tanbouly, R., Yer, H., Merewitz, E., Guillard, K., Inguagiato, J., Mcavoy, R.J., Liu, Z., Li, Y. 2016. A novel two-step method for screening shade tolerant mutant plants via dwarfism. Frontiers in Plant Science. 7:1-12.
Novel and recently evolved miRNA clusters regulate expansive F-box gene networks through phasiRNAs in wild diploid strawberry - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ye, S., Xia, R., Liu, Z., Meyers, B., Liu, Z. 2015. Novel and recently evolved miRNA clusters regulate expansive F-box gene networks through phasiRNAs in wild diploid strawberry. Plant Physiology. DOI: 10.1104/pp.15.00253.
Dormancy behaviors and underlying regulatory mechanisms: from perspective of pathways to epigenetic regulation - ()
Liu, Z., Zhu, H., Abbott, A. 2015. Dormancy behaviors and underlying regulatory mechanisms: from perspective of pathways to epigenetic regulation. In: Anderson, J.V., editor. Advances in Plant Dormancy. Springer International Publishing Switzerland. p. 75-105.
Highly interactive nature of flower-specific enhancers and promoters, and its potential impact on tissue-specific expression and engineering of multiple genes or agronomic traits - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wen, Z., Yang, Y., Zhang, J., Wang, X., Liu, Z., Singer, S., Yang, Y., Liu, Z. 2014. Highly interactive nature of flower-specific enhancers and promoters, and its potential impact on tissue-specific expression and engineering of multiple genes or agronomic traits. Plant Biotechnology. DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12203.
Conserved transcriptional regulatory programs underlying rice and barley germination - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lin, L., Tian, S., Kaeppler, S., Liu, Z., An, Y. 2014. Conserved transcriptional regulatory programs underlying rice and barley germination. PLoS One. 9(2):e87261.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0087261.
Identification of transcript polymorphisms for seed quality improvement by exploring soybean genetic diversity Reprint Icon - (Abstract Only)
An, Y., Goettel, H.W., Upchurch, R.G., Wang, M.L., Xia, E., Liu, Z., Chen, P. 2014. Identification of transcript polymorphisms for seed quality improvement by exploring soybean genetic diversity (abstract). Plant & Animal Genome. Paper No. 036.
Systems and evolutionary characterization of microRNAs and their underlying regulatory networks in soybean cotyledons - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Goettel, H.W., Liu, Z., Xia, J., Zhang, W., Zhao, P.X., An, Y. 2014. Systems and evolutionary characterization of microRNAs and their underlying regulatory networks in soybean cotyledons. PLoS One. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086153.
Tree fruit breeding for the 21st Century - (Proceedings)
Scorza, R., Callahan, A.M., Dardick, C.D., Bell, R.L., Liu, Z., Srinivasan, C., Hollender, C.A., Vann, C.D., Ravelonandro, M. 2013. Tree fruit breeding for the 21st Century. Aspects of Applied Biology. 119:1-12.
Two tobacco AP1-like gene promoters with highly specific, tightly regulated and uniquely expressed activity during floral transition, initiation and development - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhang, J., Yan, G., Wen, Z., An, Y., Singer, S., Liu, Z. 2013. Two tobacco AP1-like gene promoters with highly specific, tightly regulated and uniquely expressed activity during floral transition, initiation and development. Planta. 239:469-478.
MicroRNA superfamilies descended from miR390 and their roles in secondary small interfering RNA biogenesis in eudicots - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Xia, R., Myers, B., Liu, Z., Beers, E., Liu, Z. 2013. MicroRNA superfamilies descended from miR390 and their roles in secondary small interfering RNA biogenesis in eudicots. The Plant Cell. 25:1-18.
DNA methylation/demethylation programming during peach flower bud dormancy release, development and blooming - (Abstract Only)
Zhu, H., Chen, P., Xia, H., Callahan, A.M., Pellegrini, M., Liu, Z. 2013. DNA methylation/demethylation programming during peach flower bud dormancy release, development and blooming. Plant and Animal Genome Conference. Paper No. 9983.
Unique expression, processing regulation, and regulatory network of peach (Prunus persica) miRNAs - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Zhu, H., Xia, R., Zhao, B., An, Y., Dardick, C.D., Callahan, A.M., Liu, Z. 2012. Unique expression, processing regulation, and regulatory network of peach (Prunus persica) miRNAs. Biomed Central (BMC) Plant Biology. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-12-149.
Apple miRNAs and tasiRNAs with novel regulatory networks - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Xia, R., Zhu, H., An, Y., Beers, E., Liu, Z. 2012. Apple miRNAs and tasiRNAs with novel regulatory networks. Genome Biology. 13(6):R47.
Silencing of meiosis-critical genes for engineering male sterility in plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, X., Singer, S.D., Liu, Z. 2012. Silencing of meiosis-critical genes for engineering male sterility in plants. Plant Cell Reports. 31:747-756.
Minimizing the unpredictability of transgene expression in plants: the role of genetic insulators - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singer, S., Liu, Z., Cox, K.D. 2012. Minimizing the unpredictability of transgene expression in plants: the role of genetic insulators. Plant Cell Reports. 31:13-25.
Ectopic expression of class 1 KNOX genes induce and adventitious shoot regeneration and alter growth and development of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L) and European plum (Prunus domestica L) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Srinivasan, C., Liu, Z., Scorza, R. 2011. Ectopic expression of class 1 KNOX genes induce and adventitious shoot regeneration and alter growth and development of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L) and European plum (Prunus domestica L). Plant Cell Reports. 30:655-664.
Enhancer-promoter interference and its prevention in transgenic plants - ()
Singer, S., Cox, K., Liu, Z. 2010. Enhancer-promoter interference and its prevention in transgenic plants. Plant Cell Reports. DOI: 10.1007/s00299-010-0977-7.
Evaluation and comparison of insulation efficiency of three enhancer-blocking insulators in plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yang, Y., Singer, S., Liu, Z. 2010. Evaluation and comparison of insulation efficiency of three enhancer-blocking insulators in plants. Plant Cell Reports. DOI: 10.1007/s11240-010-9880-8.
Characterization of the partial RNA1 and RNA2 3' untranslated region of tomato ringspot virus isolates from North America - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Li, R., Mock, R.G., Fuchs, M., Halbrendt, J., Howell, B., Liu, Z. 2011. Molecular characterization of the partial RNA1 and RNA2 3' untranslated region of tomato ringspot virus isolates from North America. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology. DOI: 10.1080/07060661.2011.536648.
Both the constitutive Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S and tissue-specific AGAMOUS enhancers activate transcription autonomously in Arabidopsis thaliana - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singer, S.D., Liu, Z. 2010. Both the constitutive Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S and tissue-specific AGAMOUS enhancers activate transcription autonomously in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Molecular Biology. 74:293-305.
Petunia AGAMOUS enhancer-derived chimeric promoters specify a carpel-, stamen- and petal-specific expression pattern sufficient for engineering male and female sterility in tobacco - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yang, Y., Singer, S., Liu, Z. 2010. Petunia AGAMOUS enhancer-derived chimeric promoters specify a carpel-, stamen- and petal-specific expression pattern sufficient for engineering male and female sterility in tobacco. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. DOI 10.1007/s11105-010-0215-z
Two similar but distinct second intron fragments from tobacco AGAMOUS homologs confer identical floral organ-specific expression sufficient for generating complete sterility in plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Yang, Y., Singer, S., Liu, Z. 2010. Two similar but distinct second intron fragments from tobacco AGAMOUS homologs confer identical floral organ-specific expression sufficient for generating complete sterility in plants. Planta. 231:1159-1169.
Ectopic expression of Malus domestica class 1 knox genes altered growth and development of Nicotiana tabacum and Prunus domestica, and induced adventitious shoot regeneration from leaf explants without exogenous cytokinin - (Abstract Only)
A 1-kb bacteriophage lambda fragment functions as an insulator to effectively block enhancer-promoter interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Singer, S.D., Hily, J., Liu, Z. 2009. A 1-kb bacteriophage lambda fragment functions as an insulator to effectively block enhancer-promoter interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. 28:69-76.
A transformation booster sequence (TBS) from Petunia hybrida functions as an enhancer-blocking insulator in Arabidopsis thaliana - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hily, J., Singer, S.D., Yang, Y., Liu, Z. 2009. A transformation booster sequence (TBS) from Petunia hybrida functions as an enhancer-blocking insulator in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell Reports. 28:1095-1104.
A simple and sensitive high-throughput GFP screening in woody and herbaceous plants - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Liu, Z., Hily, J. 2008. A simple and sensitive high-throughput GFP screening in woody and herbaceous plants. Plant Cell Reports. 28:493-501.
UVH6, a plant homolog of the human/yeast TFIIH transcription factor subunit XPD/RAD3, regulates cold-stress genes in Arabidopsis thaliana - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hall, J.D., Cobb, J., Iqbal, M., Abidali, M., Liu, Z., Mount, D.W. 2008. UVH6, a plant homolog of the human/yeast TFIIH transcription factor subunit XPD/RAD3, regulates cold-stress genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. 27:217-228.
Creation and analysis of a novel chimeric promoter for the complete containment of pollen- and seed-mediated gene flow - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Liu, Z., Zhou, C., Wu, K. 2008. Creation and analysis of a novel chimeric promoter for the complete containment of pollen- and seed-mediated gene flow. Plant Cell Reports. 27:995-1004.
The second intron of Agamous drives carpel- and stamen-specific expression sufficient to induce complete sterility in Arabidopsis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Liu, Z., Liu, Z. 2008. The second intron of Agamous drives carpel- and stamen-specific expression sufficient to induce complete sterility in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell Reports. 27:855-863.
Plum pox virus coat protein gene intron-hairpin-RNA (ihpRNA) constructs provide resistance to Plum pox virus in Nicotiana benthamiana and Prunus domestica - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hily, J., Scorza, R., Ravelonandro, M., Damsteegt, V.D., Bassett, C.L., Petri, C., Liu, Z. 2007. Plum pox virus coat protein gene intron-hairpin-RNA (ihpRNA) constructs provide resistance to Plum pox virus in Nicotiana benthamiana and Prunus domestica. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 132(6):850-858.
HETEROLOGOUS EXPRESSION OF THE AP2/ERF TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR BABY BOOM ALTERS THE DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCES THE REGENERATION CAPACITY OF TRANSGENIC TOBACCO (NICOTIANA TABACUM L.) - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Srinivasan, C., Liu, Z., Heidmann, I., Supena, E., Fukuoka, H., Joosen, R., Lambalk, J., Angenent, G., Scorza, R., Custers, J.B., Boutilier, K. 2006. Heterologous expression of the ap2/erf transcription factor baby boom alters the development and enhances the regeneration capacity of transgenic tobacco (nicotiana tabacum l.). Planta (2007) 225:341-351.
ENGINEERING RESISTANCE TO MULTIPLE STONE FRUIT VIRUSES THROUGH EXPRESSION OF CHIMERIC HAIRPINS - (Proceedings)
Liu, Z., Hily, J., Scorza, R., Scott, S., James, D. 2007. Engineering resistance to multiple stone fruit viruses through expression of chimeric hairpins. American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting. 132:283-436.
ECTOPIC EXPRESSION OF ARABIDOPSIS AP2 DOMAIN TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR BABY BOOM GENE ALTERS LEAF MORPHOLOGY AND FERTILITY IN TRANSGENIC NICOTIANA TABACUM - (Abstract Only)
Srinivasan, C., Liu, Z., Scorza, R. 2004. Ectopic expression of arabidopsis AP2 domain transcription factor baby boom gene alters leaf morphology and fertility in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum. American Society of Plant Biologists. Abstract #739.