Publications
27. Xu, S., Li, Y., in prep.
26. Zhou, A.†, Kane, A.† (equal contribution), Wu, S., Wang, K., Santiago, M., Ishiguro, Y., Yoneyama, K., Palayam, M., Shabek, N., Xie, X.*, Nelson, D.C.*, Li, Y.*, "Evolution of interorganismal strigolactone biosynthesis in seed plants", Science, 2025. [Link] (Covered in UC San Diego Today, The Microbiologist, Phys, EurekAlert, ScienMag, BioEngineer, MirageNews, ScienceDaily, and others)
25. Hu, R.*, Teng, X., Li, Y.*, "Unleashing Plant Synthetic Capacity: Navigating Regulatory Mechanisms for Enhanced Bioproduction and Secondary Metabolite Discovery", Curr Opin Biotechnol, 2024. [Link]
24. Chiu, T., Li, Y.*, "Polygalacturonase-Inhibiting Proteins as an Exogenously Applied Natural Solution for Prevention of Postharvest Fungal Infections", Synth Syst Biotechnol, 2024. [Link]
23. Wu, S., Zhou, A., Hiugano, K., Yoda, A., Xie, X., Yamane, K., Miura, K., Nomura, T., Li, Y.*, "Identification of a Prunus MAX1 homolog as a unique strigol synthase", New Phytol., 2023. [Link]
22. Xu, S., Teng, X., Li, Y.*, "Optimization of Campesterol-Producing Yeast Strains for Plant Membrane-Bound Enzyme Reconstitution", ACS Syn Biol, 2023. [Link]
21. Chiu, T., Li, Y.*, The Potential of Plant Proteins as Antifungal Agents for Agricultural Applications, Synth Syst Biotechnol, 2022. [Link]
20. Xu, S., Wu, S., Li, Y.*, "Investigating Plant Biosynthetic Pathways Using Heterologous Gene Expression: Yeast as a Heterologous Host", Engineering Natural Product Biosynthesis, 2022, 369-393. [Link]
19. Wu, S., Li, Y.*, A unique sulfotransferase-involving strigolactone biosynthetic route in Sorghum, Front Plant Sci, 2021. [Link]
18. Wu, S., Ma, X., Zhou, A., Valenzuela, A., Zhou, K.*, Li, Y.*, "Establishment of Strigolactone-Producing Bacterium-Yeast Consortium", Science Advances, 2021. [Link] (Covered in ScienceDaily, AZO Life Sciences, PHYS, Technology Networks, True Viral News, Mirage News, and others)
17. Chiu, T., Behari, A., Chartron, J., Putman, A., Li, Y.*, Engineering of Polygalacturonase-Inhibiting Protein as an Ecological, Friendly, and Non-toxic Pest Control Agent, Biotechnol Bioeng, 2021. [Link] (Covered in ScienceDaily, EurekAlert, PHYS, ANI News, MorningAgClips, and others)
16. Zhou, A., Zhou, K*, Li, Y.*, "Rational Design Strategies for Functional Reconstitution of Plant Cytochrome P450s in Microbial Systems", Curr Opin Plant Biol, 2021. [Link]
15. Xu, P., Dai, Q., Gao, H., Liu, H., Zhang, M., Chen Y., An, K., Meng, Y. S., Liu, P. Li, Y., Spangenberger, J.S., Gaines, L., Lu, J., Chen, Z.*, "Efficient Direct Recycling of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes by Targeted Healing", Joule, 2020. [Link]
14. Chen, C., Xu, S., Li, Y.*, "Explore the Potential of a Plant Phospholipase as an Antimicrobial", BioRxiv, 2020. [Link] (CC' Science Fair Project)
13. Xu, S., Chen, C., Li, Y.*, "Engineering of Phytosterol-Producing Yeast Platforms for Functional Reconstitution of Downstream Biosynthetic Pathways", ACS Syn Biol 2020. [Link]
26. Zhou, A.†, Kane, A.† (equal contribution), Wu, S., Wang, K., Santiago, M., Ishiguro, Y., Yoneyama, K., Palayam, M., Shabek, N., Xie, X.*, Nelson, D.C.*, Li, Y.*, "Evolution of interorganismal strigolactone biosynthesis in seed plants", Science, 2025. [Link] (Covered in UC San Diego Today, The Microbiologist, Phys, EurekAlert, ScienMag, BioEngineer, MirageNews, ScienceDaily, and others)
25. Hu, R.*, Teng, X., Li, Y.*, "Unleashing Plant Synthetic Capacity: Navigating Regulatory Mechanisms for Enhanced Bioproduction and Secondary Metabolite Discovery", Curr Opin Biotechnol, 2024. [Link]
24. Chiu, T., Li, Y.*, "Polygalacturonase-Inhibiting Proteins as an Exogenously Applied Natural Solution for Prevention of Postharvest Fungal Infections", Synth Syst Biotechnol, 2024. [Link]
23. Wu, S., Zhou, A., Hiugano, K., Yoda, A., Xie, X., Yamane, K., Miura, K., Nomura, T., Li, Y.*, "Identification of a Prunus MAX1 homolog as a unique strigol synthase", New Phytol., 2023. [Link]
22. Xu, S., Teng, X., Li, Y.*, "Optimization of Campesterol-Producing Yeast Strains for Plant Membrane-Bound Enzyme Reconstitution", ACS Syn Biol, 2023. [Link]
21. Chiu, T., Li, Y.*, The Potential of Plant Proteins as Antifungal Agents for Agricultural Applications, Synth Syst Biotechnol, 2022. [Link]
20. Xu, S., Wu, S., Li, Y.*, "Investigating Plant Biosynthetic Pathways Using Heterologous Gene Expression: Yeast as a Heterologous Host", Engineering Natural Product Biosynthesis, 2022, 369-393. [Link]
19. Wu, S., Li, Y.*, A unique sulfotransferase-involving strigolactone biosynthetic route in Sorghum, Front Plant Sci, 2021. [Link]
18. Wu, S., Ma, X., Zhou, A., Valenzuela, A., Zhou, K.*, Li, Y.*, "Establishment of Strigolactone-Producing Bacterium-Yeast Consortium", Science Advances, 2021. [Link] (Covered in ScienceDaily, AZO Life Sciences, PHYS, Technology Networks, True Viral News, Mirage News, and others)
17. Chiu, T., Behari, A., Chartron, J., Putman, A., Li, Y.*, Engineering of Polygalacturonase-Inhibiting Protein as an Ecological, Friendly, and Non-toxic Pest Control Agent, Biotechnol Bioeng, 2021. [Link] (Covered in ScienceDaily, EurekAlert, PHYS, ANI News, MorningAgClips, and others)
16. Zhou, A., Zhou, K*, Li, Y.*, "Rational Design Strategies for Functional Reconstitution of Plant Cytochrome P450s in Microbial Systems", Curr Opin Plant Biol, 2021. [Link]
15. Xu, P., Dai, Q., Gao, H., Liu, H., Zhang, M., Chen Y., An, K., Meng, Y. S., Liu, P. Li, Y., Spangenberger, J.S., Gaines, L., Lu, J., Chen, Z.*, "Efficient Direct Recycling of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes by Targeted Healing", Joule, 2020. [Link]
14. Chen, C., Xu, S., Li, Y.*, "Explore the Potential of a Plant Phospholipase as an Antimicrobial", BioRxiv, 2020. [Link] (CC' Science Fair Project)
13. Xu, S., Chen, C., Li, Y.*, "Engineering of Phytosterol-Producing Yeast Platforms for Functional Reconstitution of Downstream Biosynthetic Pathways", ACS Syn Biol 2020. [Link]
12. Xu, S., Li, Y.*, "Yeast as a promising heterologous host for steroid bioproduction", J. Ind. Microbiol. Biot. 2020. [Link]
11. Worland, A. M., Czajka, J. J., Li, Y., Wang, Y., Tang, Y. J., Su W. W.*, "Biosynthesis of terpene compounds using the non-model yeast Yarrowia lipolytica: grand challenges and a few perspectives", Curr. Opin. Biotech. 2020, 64, 134-140. [Link]
10. Kotopka, B.†, Li, Y.† (equal contribution), Smolke, C.D.*, "Synthetic Biology Strategies for Heterologous Phytochemical Production", Nat. Prod. Rep. 2018, DOI: 10.1039/C8NP00028J. [Link]
9. Li, Y., Li, S., Thodey, K., Trenchard, I., Cravens A., Smolke, C.D.*, "Complete Biosynthesis of Noscapine and Halogenated Alkaloids in Yeast", Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2018. (Covered in C&EN, EurekAlert!-AAAS, Science Daily, Science Newsline, R&D, PHYS, The Scientist Magazine, Breitbart News Network, UPI, The Hindu, Medindia, Der Tagesspiegel, Daily Democrat, Potsdamer Neueste Nachrichten, Seeker, The Mercury News, and others) [Link]
11. Worland, A. M., Czajka, J. J., Li, Y., Wang, Y., Tang, Y. J., Su W. W.*, "Biosynthesis of terpene compounds using the non-model yeast Yarrowia lipolytica: grand challenges and a few perspectives", Curr. Opin. Biotech. 2020, 64, 134-140. [Link]
10. Kotopka, B.†, Li, Y.† (equal contribution), Smolke, C.D.*, "Synthetic Biology Strategies for Heterologous Phytochemical Production", Nat. Prod. Rep. 2018, DOI: 10.1039/C8NP00028J. [Link]
9. Li, Y., Li, S., Thodey, K., Trenchard, I., Cravens A., Smolke, C.D.*, "Complete Biosynthesis of Noscapine and Halogenated Alkaloids in Yeast", Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2018. (Covered in C&EN, EurekAlert!-AAAS, Science Daily, Science Newsline, R&D, PHYS, The Scientist Magazine, Breitbart News Network, UPI, The Hindu, Medindia, Der Tagesspiegel, Daily Democrat, Potsdamer Neueste Nachrichten, Seeker, The Mercury News, and others) [Link]
8. Li, S.†, Li, Y.† (equal contribution), Smolke, C.D.*, "Strategies for Microbial Synthesis of High-Value Phytochemicals", Nat. Chem. 2018. 10, 395-404. [Link]
7. Li, Y., Smolke, C.D.*, “Engineering and Elucidating Biosynthesis of the Anticancer Alkaloid Noscapine in Yeast”, Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 12137. [Link]
6. Chooi, Y.-H.*, Wang, P., Fang J., Li, Y., Wu, K., Wang, P., Tang, Y.*, “Discovery and Characterization of a Group of Fungal Polycyclic Polyketide Prenyltransferases”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 9428-9437. [Link]
5. Liu, Q., Yao, F., Kang, Q., Chooi, Y.-H., Xu, W., Li, Y., Shi, Y., Deng, Z., Tang, Y.*, You, D.*, “Elucidation of Piericidin A1 Biosynthetic Locus Revealed a Thioesterase-dependent Mechanism of α-Pyridone Ring Formation”, Chem. Bio. 2012, 19, 243-253. [Link]
4. Li, Y., Chooi, Y.-H., Sheng, Y., Valentine, J. S., Tang, Y.*, “Comparative Characterization of Fungal Anthracenone and Naphthacenedione Biosynthetic Pathways Reveals an α-Hydroxylation-Dependent Claisen-Like Cyclization Catalyzed by a Dimanganese Thioesterase”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 15773-15785. [Link]
3. Li, Y., Xu, W., Tang, Y.*, “Classification, Prediction and Verification of the Regioselectivity of Fungal Polyketide Synthase Product Template Domains” J. Biol. Chem. 2010, 285, 22762-22771. (Highlighted by Nat. Chem. Biol.) [Link]
2. Zhou, H.†, Li, Y.† (equal contribution), Tang, Y.*, “Cyclization of Aromatic Polyketides from Bacteria and Fungi” Nat. Prod. Rep. 2010, 27, 839-868. [Link]
1. Zhang, W., Li, Y. , Tang, Y.*, “Engineered Biosynthesis of Bacterial Aromatic Polyketides in Escherichia coli” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2008, 105, 20683-20685. [Link]
7. Li, Y., Smolke, C.D.*, “Engineering and Elucidating Biosynthesis of the Anticancer Alkaloid Noscapine in Yeast”, Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 12137. [Link]
6. Chooi, Y.-H.*, Wang, P., Fang J., Li, Y., Wu, K., Wang, P., Tang, Y.*, “Discovery and Characterization of a Group of Fungal Polycyclic Polyketide Prenyltransferases”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 9428-9437. [Link]
5. Liu, Q., Yao, F., Kang, Q., Chooi, Y.-H., Xu, W., Li, Y., Shi, Y., Deng, Z., Tang, Y.*, You, D.*, “Elucidation of Piericidin A1 Biosynthetic Locus Revealed a Thioesterase-dependent Mechanism of α-Pyridone Ring Formation”, Chem. Bio. 2012, 19, 243-253. [Link]
4. Li, Y., Chooi, Y.-H., Sheng, Y., Valentine, J. S., Tang, Y.*, “Comparative Characterization of Fungal Anthracenone and Naphthacenedione Biosynthetic Pathways Reveals an α-Hydroxylation-Dependent Claisen-Like Cyclization Catalyzed by a Dimanganese Thioesterase”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 15773-15785. [Link]
3. Li, Y., Xu, W., Tang, Y.*, “Classification, Prediction and Verification of the Regioselectivity of Fungal Polyketide Synthase Product Template Domains” J. Biol. Chem. 2010, 285, 22762-22771. (Highlighted by Nat. Chem. Biol.) [Link]
2. Zhou, H.†, Li, Y.† (equal contribution), Tang, Y.*, “Cyclization of Aromatic Polyketides from Bacteria and Fungi” Nat. Prod. Rep. 2010, 27, 839-868. [Link]
1. Zhang, W., Li, Y. , Tang, Y.*, “Engineered Biosynthesis of Bacterial Aromatic Polyketides in Escherichia coli” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2008, 105, 20683-20685. [Link]