About

Yuncong Li is a professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences at the University of Florida, affiliated with the Tropical Research and Education Center. His research focuses on developing new fertilizer technology and management practices to improve fertilizer efficiency, plant nutrition, and water quality. He evaluates nutrient cycling in agricultural and natural ecosystems to understand the impacts of agriculture on the south Florida ecosystem. In addition to his research, Professor Li provides training on nutrient management practices and water quality for extension agents, researchers, and other stakeholders. He leads an extension program that promotes water quality and quantity best management practices, organizes workshops, demonstration days, and field days, and publishes extension articles and newsletters. His work aims to enhance sustainable agricultural practices and protect water resources in Florida.

Research topics

• Biology
• Botany
• Ecology
• Zoology
• Evolutionary biology
• Environmental chemistry
• Archaeology
• Agroforestry
• Geography
• Genetics
• Environmental science
• Chemistry

Selected publications

• Full-genome analysis of emerging Coxsackievirus B4 genotype D strains associated with herpangina in eastern China

  Microbial Genomics · 2026-02-26

  articleOpen access

  In 2024 herpangina surveillance in Yuhuan City, China, two Coxsackievirus B4 strains (Z168, Z296) were identified. Full-length genome sequencing revealed that both strains belonged to genotype D that was first documented in eastern China. The two strains showed the highest nucleotide similarity to Coxsackievirus B4 strains isolated in the UK (2017). In the recombination events, both major parental strains were identified as Coxsackievirus B4 strains isolated in France (2015 and 2017). Echovirus 11 and Coxsackievirus B5 were detected as minor parental strains, indicating intertypic recombination. Phylogenetically, Z168 and Z296 clustered closely with European genotype D strains (2013-2024) but were distant from previously reported Chinese genotype D strains (Yunnan 2013-2016; Tianjin 2019). Bayesian phylogeographic reconstruction suggested a complex global transmission history of Coxsackievirus B4 with increasing cross-border transmission in recent decades, including genotypes A, D and E transmitting among North America, Europe and Asia. Both strains possessed a unique amino acid substitution within a putative neutralizing epitope, suggesting potential antigenic evolution. These findings indicate that the Z168 and Z296 strains likely represent a recent European introduction, forming a lineage distinct from earlier Chinese genotype D isolates. This highlights the need for molecular surveillance to track Coxsackievirus B4 emergence and evolution.

  PublisherDOI

• The first record of the genus Dactylipalpus Chapuis and the species Dactylipalpus transversus Chapuis (Coleoptera; Curculionidae; Scolytinae) from China

  Nak jaṃnāñ khāng pāṇakasāstr Iṇḍūcin = · 2025-11-06

  articleSenior author

  Scolytines specimens collected from Yunnan Province were examined. The genus Dactylipalpus Chapuis, 1869 and the species Dactylipalpus transversus Chapuis, 1869 are newly recorded from China. Photographs and morphological characteristics are provided.

  PublisherDOI

• β-caryophyllene regulates H3K36me3 to inhibit conidial germination and mycelial growth of Fusarium proliferatum

  BMC Microbiology · 2025-10-09 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Panax notoginseng is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine and is highly susceptible to root rot disease, which is primarily caused by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium proliferatum. The antifungal mechanisms underlying the effects of β-caryophyllene (BCP), which is commonly found in Essential oils (EOs), remain unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), along with in vitro antifungal experiments, were used to investigate the inhibitory effects of BCP on F. proliferatum. RESULTS: BCP not only influenced the mycelial growth of F. proliferatum but also exerted a pronounced inhibitory effect on conidial germination. After treatment with 200 mM BCP, the inhibition rate of mycelial growth was 24.5%, whereas the inhibition rate of conidial germination reached 77.87%. Furthermore, after 4 h of 200 mM BCP treatment, the extracellular conductivity of F. proliferatum significantly increased, along with Malondialdehyde content and superoxide dismutase activity, which increased to 2.6 and 1.45 times those of the control group. Transcriptome analysis revealed that, following BCP treatment, 1693 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated and 1589 DEGs were downregulated. Additionally, BCP treatment decreased the expression of genes associated with conidial germination regulation, including the transcriptional activator acu-15, serine/threonine protein phosphatases, and aldehyde dehydrogenases. Combined RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses revealed elevated H3K36me3 (histone H3 Lysine 36 trimethylation) modification levels in F. proliferatum after BCP treatment, which triggered defense mechanisms and upregulated the expression of lipid metabolism genes associated with cell membrane repair. Downregulation of the expression of genes associated with decreased H3K36me3 modification in meiosis-related and cell cycle pathways in yeast was observed, which inhibited the expression of serine/threonine protein kinase (SNF1) and the transcription factor MCM1, further suppressing conidial germination and negatively impacting hyphal growth. CONCLUSIONS: This study elucidates the antifungal mechanism of BCP and provides a theoretical foundation for the development of novel plant-derived pesticides for root rot control.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• China’s Road-map for Regional Cooperation: Building a Community of Shared Future in the South China Sea

  Journal of Island and Marine Studies · 2025-09-07

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  The South China Sea (SCS) has long been mired in historical disputes and rising geopolitical tensions, making innovative frameworks necessary to foster regional stability. This article introduces the Community of Shared Future (CSF), China’s strategic roadmap to transform the SCS from a contested space into a zone of cooperation. Rooted in mutual benefit and multilateralism, the CSF emphasizes joint resource management, economic integration, and conflict de-escalation. Deep-rooted issues, such as colonial legacies, resource competition, and contests between nations, have exacerbated regional disputes. Furthermore, post-2016 militarization by claimants has hindered resolution efforts. The CSF counters zero-sum logics by prioritizing shared interests, such as temporarily suspending sovereignty claims, promoting joint fisheries and energy ventures, and embedding cooperative norms in ASEAN dialogues. A key component of this vision is leveraging China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to promote infrastructure development, marine conservation, and tourism. Indonesia’s pragmatic approach to balancing sovereignty and economic cooperation offers a model for other littoral states. However, obstacles remain, including persistent distrust among ASEAN members and external interference. The success of the CSF is contingent upon the implementation of a multifaceted, interconnected framework by policymakers. This implementation must encompass the following five pillars: (1) the facilitation of diplomatic consensus-building through bilateral and ASEAN dialogues, (2) the promotion of economic integration via revenue-sharing and BRI-backed projects, (3) the coordination of security measures to mitigate militarization, (4) the enhancement of legal and diplomatic frameworks, and (5) the establishment of a new maritime security forum or secretariat for the SCS. By conceptualizing the SCS as a “common home” rather than a site of conflict, the CSF aligns with ASEAN’s developmental agenda while accommodating China’s strategic imperatives. This approach ultimately positions the SCS as a potential exemplar for global maritime governance probably.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Exploring the potential mechanisms of Jinglinzi powder in treating hepatocellular carcinoma based on LC-MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation

  Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis · 2025-04-18 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  This study systematically predicts the active components, targets, and mechanisms of JLZP against HCC by integrating LC-MS, network pharmacology, and molecular docking, with experimental validation of its pro-pyroptotic effects. Through HERB and NPASS databases, 81 bioactive components of JLZP and 78 overlapping HCC-related targets were identified. Protein-protein interaction network and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that JLZP likely induces cell death via cancer-related pathways. Molecular docking (CB-Dock2) demonstrated high binding affinity between JLZP core components (e.g., protopine) and pyroptosis-associated targets (NLRP3, GSDMD). In vitro experiments confirmed that JLZP significantly suppressed MHCC-97L cell proliferation and migration, while upregulating pyroptosis markers (IL-1β, IL-18) at both mRNA and protein levels, with these effects reversed by a pyroptosis inhibitor. This study is the first to elucidate JLZP's anti-HCC mechanism through pyroptosis activation, identifying its pharmacodynamic material basis and multi-target action. The "component-target-pathway-experiment" multidimensional strategy provides methodological insights for deciphering traditional Chinese medicine formulas, offering a theoretical foundation for developing JLZP-based anticancer therapies.

  PublisherDOI

• Taxonomy and phylogeny of <i>Cortinarius</i> sect. <i>Anomali</i> in China

  Persoonia - Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi · 2025-05-19 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  : 225-263. doi: 10.3114/persoonia.2025.54.07.

  PublisherDOI

• Functional characteristics of endosymbiotic picornia-like virus in Diaphorina citri

  Virus Research · 2025-08-18 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  • Widespread prevalence of DcPLV detected in Diaphorina citri across China. • Both vertical and plant-mediated horizontal transmission modes were confirmed. • High viral accumulation in salivary glands and midgut of infected psyllids. • DcPLV infection significantly increased the acquisition and accumulation of C Las. • No adverse effects observed on fecundity, development, or adult longevity. The Asian citrus psyllid ( Diaphorina citri ) is the primary vector for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus ( C Las), which is the causative agent of Huanglongbing (HLB). In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the endosymbiotic viruses harbored within D. citri , particularly Diaphorina citri picorna-like virus (DcPLV). However, the epidemiological distribution, biological effects, and role of DcPLV in pathogen transmission remain largely uncharacterized. This study investigates the field prevalence, transmission modes, and biological impacts of DcPLV in D. citri populations collected from 17 regions in China between 2023 and 2024. Detection of DcPLV revealed a widespread distribution, with an average infection rate of 35.18%. Temporal monitoring in Gutian orchard further showed that DcPLV maintains consistently high infection levels throughout the year. The analysis of transmission showed that DcPLV is transmitted vertically from parents to offspring and horizontally from plant hosts. Biological assessments showed no significant effects of DcPLV on reproduction and adult longevity. Additionally, tissue-specific RT-qPCR revealed virus localization in the midgut and salivary glands, with viral accumulation progressively increasing during nymphal development and continuing into teneral adult. Furthermore, results demonstrated that DcPLV infection significantly enhanced C Las acquisition and accumulation in D. citri, which may contribute to increased vector competence. These findings provide novel insights on the interactions between DcPLV, the D. citri , and C Las.

  PublisherDOI

• Senescence-driven molecular subtyping in pancreatic cancer: a multi-omics framework for precision medicine

  BMC Cancer · 2025-12-15

  articleOpen access

  Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a lethal malignancy with a five-year survival rate below 15%, largely due to tumor heterogeneity and limited therapeutic options. While senescence-related genes (SRGs) are implicated in cancer progression, their pancreas-specific roles in PDAC subtyping and treatment remain unexplored. We integrated multi-omics data (RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and whole-genome sequencing) from 402 pancreas-specific SRGs to classify PDAC subtypes through unsupervised clustering. Independent validation cohorts (TCGA-PAAD, n = 183; patient-derived organoids, n = 40) and drug sensitivity screens were used to define subtype-specific therapeutic vulnerabilities. A machine learning-based random forest model identified key SRG biomarkers for clinical stratification. Three distinct PDAC subtypes were identified: Cluster 1, characterized by extensive immune infiltration; Cluster 2, mixed features with moderate prognosis; and Cluster 3, defined by significant metabolic reprogramming. Drug screens revealed Cluster 3 as uniquely sensitive to Metformin and Trametinib, suggesting combinatory therapy potential. A 20-gene random forest classifier achieved high accuracy in subtype prediction (AUC = 0.96). This study establishes the first pancreas-specific SRG-driven classification of PDAC, resolving prior inconsistencies in Metformin trial outcomes. Our framework enables risk stratification and subtype-guided therapy, with immediate clinical implications: Metabolic-targeting agents (Metformin) may benefit the high-risk Cluster 3, while immunotherapy could be prioritized for Cluster 1.

  PublisherDOI

• A pancreatic cancer organoid biobank links multi-omics signatures to therapeutic response and clinical evaluation of statin combination therapy

  Cell stem cell · 2025-08-13 · 16 citations

  articleOpen access

  Chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but most patients ultimately develop resistance. Here, we established 260 pancreatic cancer organoid lines, followed by extensive multi-omics profiling and therapeutic sensitivity assessments. Integrated analyses uncovered 6 novel coding and 35 noncoding driver candidates. We discovered 2,794 multi-omics features associated with drug sensitivity and 322 features linked to radiation sensitivity. Pharmacogenomic analyses revealed that chemoresistant organoids exhibited enrichment in protein glycosylation and cholesterol metabolism pathways. Notably, statins effectively targeted chemoresistant PDAC organoids. Statin treatment attenuated protein glycosylation, cholesterol levels, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature in PDAC organoids. We conducted a single-center, single-arm, phase 2 clinical trial (NCT06241352) combining atorvastatin with chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Among 37 patients, 26 (70.3%) demonstrated a response, with tumor markers decreasing by more than 20%, suggesting durable responses and potential clinical benefits in this challenging patient population.

  PublisherDOI

• Respiratory viral infections: when and where? A scoping review of spatiotemporal methods

  Journal of Global Health · 2025-08-04 · 1 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Background: Respiratory viral infections pose a substantial disease burden worldwide. Spatiotemporal techniques help identify transmission patterns of these infections, thereby supporting timely control and prevention efforts. We aimed to synthesise the current state of evidence on quantitative methodologies for investigating the spatiotemporal characteristics of respiratory viral infections. Methods: We conducted a scoping review using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We searched three biomedical bibliographic databases, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science, identifying studies that analysed spatiotemporal transmission of viral respiratory infectious diseases (published before 1 March 2023). Results: We identified 8466 articles from database searches, of which 152 met our inclusion criteria and were qualitatively synthesised. Most included articles (n = 140) were published during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 131 articles specifically analysing COVID-19. Exploratory research (n = 77) investigated the spatiotemporal transmission characteristics of respiratory infectious diseases, focussing on transmission patterns (n = 16), and influencing factors (n = 61). Forecasting research (n = 75) aimed to predict the disease trends using either univariate (n = 57) or multivariate models (n = 18), predominantly using machine learning methods (n = 41). The application of advanced deep learning models (n = 20) in disease forecasting analysis was often constrained by the quality of the available disease data. Conclusions: There is a growing body of research on spatiotemporal analyses of respiratory viral infections, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The acquisition of high-quality data remains important for effectively leveraging sophisticated models in disease forecasting research. Concurrently, although advanced modelling techniques are widely applied, future studies should consider capturing the complex spatiotemporal interactions in disease trajectory modelling.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Jiří Hulcr

  63 shared

• Andrew J. Johnson

  35 shared

• Fengchun Yang

  Northwest University

  30 shared

• Xin Zhang

  Xinyang Normal University

  28 shared

• Lin Wei

  24 shared

• Lei Gao

  State Forestry and Grassland Administration

  24 shared

• Xijie Chen

  22 shared

• Shijie Jia

  Harbin Engineering University

  22 shared

Education

• School of Forest Resources and Conservation

  University of Florida