1. Introduction to the Research Team
The team is dedicated to advancing animal health and disease prevention, uncovering ecological health mechanisms and supporting sustainable development for both society and the environment.
2. Specific Research Directions
The team focuses on studying rare, endemic, or economically valuable animal groups in Yunnan province, with research on mechanisms of endangerment, disease surveillance, and health assessment.
(1) Animal Epidemic Disease Research
u Conduct pathogen surveillance in terrestrial wildlife to collect baseline data on disease sources, map the geographical distribution of pathogens, and study the evolution, ecology, and transmission patterns of pathogenic microorganisms.
u Assess the infectivity and cross-species transmission potential of pathogens. Based on genetic diversity and mutation characteristics, evaluate disease risks and develop theoretical and technical frameworks for epidemic prevention and control.
(2) Animal Health and Safety Research
u Investigate the impact of wildlife diets on animal health, exploring the relationships between nutrition, reproduction, and survival, as well as mechanisms of dietary adaptation.
u Examine the toxicological effects of pesticide and veterinary drug residues on wildlife, assessing their impact on animal health and ecosystem stability, and revealing ecological toxicological mechanisms.
u Investigate the accumulation and ecological toxicity of heavy metals in wildlife, evaluating their bioavailability and long-term consequences on ecosystems.
3. Research Projects
(1) National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Innovation Project: Research on the Mechanisms of Endangered Birds from Yunnan. Investigates ecological and biological factors contributing to the endangerment of birds in Yunnan, aiming to develop targeted conservation and management strategies.
(2) Project from Qomolangma National Nature Preserve: Comprehensive Scientific Research in the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve. Conducts a large-scale assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem health in the Qomolangma region, focusing on the effects of environmental factors on wildlife populations.
(3) National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Youth Project: Molecular Mechanism of VPS28 Gene-Mediated Ubiquitination Signaling Pathway in Regulating Milk Fat Synthesis in Dairy Cows. Explores the regulatory role of the VPS28 gene in lipid metabolism in dairy cows, providing insights into milk quality improvement through molecular pathways.
(4) Talent-Nurturing Project of Yunnan Province: Molecular Mechanisms of Milk Lipid Regulation by Intestinal Microorganisms and Their Metabolites in Zhongdian Yaks Based on Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis. Uses multi-omics approaches to uncover how gut microbiota and metabolites influence milk lipid synthesis in high-altitude yaks, with implications for animal nutrition and productivity.
(5) Project from Yunnan Provincial Science and Technology Department: Research and Application on Harmless Treatment and Efficient Utilization of Waste from Large-scale Livestock and Poultry Farms. Develops eco-friendly technologies for managing livestock and poultry waste, aiming to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable practices in highland agriculture.
4. Team Leader
Xu Luo (Professor, [email protected])
5. Team Members
Suhua Li (Associate Professor, [email protected])
Peifu Wu (Associate Professor, [email protected])
Lily Liu (Associate Professor, [email protected])
Bingting Xu (Lecturer, [email protected])
6. Selected Publications
[1] Liu, L., Zhang, Q., Clark, E., & Wang, J. (2025). Meta-analyses of the global impact of non-antibiotic feed additives on livestock performance and health. Journal of Advanced Research. //doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2025.03.009
[2] Liu, L., Zhang, Q., Wang, J., & Clark, E. (2025). Effects of candidate genes on milk fat synthesis in ruminants: A meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science. //doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25660
[3] Bibi, N., Gao, G., Liang, D., & Luo, X. * (2024). High incubation attendance and nesting site constraints of the Sclater’s Monal in an alpine environment in Southwestern China. Ecology and Evolution, 14, e70665.
[4] Bibi, N., Yuan, Q., Chen, C., Chen, S., Duan, Y., & Luo, X. * (2024). Three cases of collared owlet depredation on the green-backed tit within nest boxes. Ecol Evol, 14(3), e11083.
[5] Xu, B., Hatanaka, N., Awasthi, S. P., Tekehira, K., Hinenoya, A., & Yamasaki, S. (2024). Seasonality of detection rate of Escherichia albertii in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Osaka, Japan. J Vet Med Sci, 86(2), 180-183.
[6] Fan, S., Zhang, J., Duan, Y., & Luo, X. * (2023). First Description of the Breeding Biology of the Spectacled Fulvetta (Fulvetta ruficapilla sordidior) in Southwest China. Animals (Basel), 13(13), 2157.
[7] Hu, M., & Liu, L. * (2023). Choline regulation of triglycerides synthesis through ubiquintination pathway in MAC-T cells. Peer J, 19(11).
[8] Hu, M., Wu, P., Guo, A., & Liu, L. * (2023). Myristic Acid Regulates Triglyceride Production in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells through the Ubiquitination Pathway. Agriculture, 13, 1870.
[9] Liu, L., Wu, P., Guo, A., Yang, Y., Chen, F., & Zhang, Q. (2023). Research progress on the regulation of production traits by gastrointestinal microbiota in dairy cows. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10(3389).
[10] Xu, B., Hatanaka, N., Awasthi, S. P., Tekehira, K., Hinenoya, A., & Yamasaki, S. (2023). Cefixime–tellurite-deoxycholate tryptic soy broth (CTD-TSB), a selective enrichment medium, for enhancing isolation of Escherichia albertii from wild raccoon fecal samples. J Appl Microbiol, 134(7), lxad123.
[11] Yang, Q., Xue, X., Zhang, Z., Wu, M. J., Ji, J., Wang, W., Yin, H., Li, S. *, Dai, H., Duan, B., Liu, Q., & Song, J. (2023). Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 Subtype Avian Influenza Viruses Were Identified from the Common Crane Wintering in Yunnan Province, China. Viruses, 15(38).
[12] Liu, L., Wu, P., Chen, F., Zhou, J., Guo, A., Shi, K., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Muti-omics reveals that the gut microbiome and its metabolite promote milk fat synthesis in Zhongdian Yak cows. Peer J, 1: e14444.
[13] Liang, D., Liu, Y., Gao, G., & Luo, X. * (2021). Breeding biology of a high altitudinal Aethopyga sunbird in southwestern China. Journal of Natural History, 54, 2381-2390.
[14] Jiang, D. M., Goodale, E., Yang, G., Yu, L. J., Jiang, A. W*., & Luo, X.* (2019). Modeling the distribution of Nonggang Babbler Stachyris nonggangensis a threatened bird of limestone karst forests of the Sino-Vietnam border, and implications for its conservation. Bird Conservation International. doi:10.1017/S0959270919000236.
