Selected Publications

*, corresponding author; †, co-first author.

Full List

2026

Lu YF, Zuo GH*, and Zhi XY*.

A structural backbone with sequestered plasticity organizes the Escherichia coli pangenome.

mSystems. 2026 Jun. In press. DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00207-26
Zhao Y, Lu YF, Hai X, and Zhi XY*.

LSGFA: Domain-based infraspecific large-scale prokaryotic genomic orthologous gene inference.

BMC Bioinformatics. 2026 Jun. In press. DOI: 10.1186/s12859-026-06506-z
Li CJ, Zhao Y, Tang M, Chu X, Zhan PC, Jiang XW, Tian JY, Hai X, Lu YF, Yang LL* , Zhi XY*

Comparative population genomics reveal the genetic features associated with the plant host adaptation of Clostridium butyricum.

BMC Genomics. 2026 27:544. DOI: 10.1186/s12864-026-12876-8

2023

Wang M, Li CJ, Zhang Z, Li PP, Yang LL, Zhi XY*.

The evolution of morphological development is congruent with the species phylogeny in the genus Streptomyces.

Front Microbiol. 2023 14:1102250. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1102250
Tang SK, Zhi XY, Zhang Y, Makarova K-S, Liu BB, Zheng GS, ..., Yang LL, ..., Koonin EV*, Zhao GP*, Xu P*.

Cellular differentiation into hyphae and spores in halophilic archaea.

Nat Commun. 2023 14:1827. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37389-w

2020

Yang LL, Jiang Z, Li Y, Wang ET, Zhi XY*.

Plasmids related to the symbiotic nitrogen fixation are not only cooperated functionally, but also may have evolved over a time span in family Rhizobiaceae.

Genome Biol Evol. 2020 12(11):2002-2014. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa152
Tan W, Liao TH, Wang J, Ye Y, Wei YC, Zhou HK, Xiao Y, Zhi XY*, Zhao ZH*, Lyu LD*, Zhao GP*.

A recently evolved diflavin-containing monomeric nitrate reductase is responsible for highly efficient bacterial nitrate assimilation.

J Biol Chem. 2020 295(15):5051-5066. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.RA120.012859

2019

Jiang Z, Xiao M, Yang LL, Zhi XY*, Li WJ*.

Genome-based taxonomic classification within the family Thermoactinomycetaceae.

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2019 69(7):2028-2036. DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003425

2017

Yin YR, Meng ZH, Hu QW, Jiang Z, Xian WD, Li LH, Hu W, Zhang F, Zhou EM, Zhi XY*, Li WJ*.

The Hybrid Strategy of Thermoactinospora rubra YIM 77501T for Utilizing Cellulose as a Carbon Source at Different Temperatures.

Front Microbiol. 2017 8:942. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00942
Zhi XY*, Jiang Z, Yang LL, Huang Y.

The underlying mechanisms of genetic innovation and speciation in the family Corynebacteriaceae: A phylogenomics approach.

Mol Phylogenet Evol. 2017 107:246-255. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.11.009

2015

Yang LL, Tang SK, Huang Y, Zhi XY*.

Low Temperature Adaptation Is Not the Opposite Process of High Temperature Adaptation in Terms of Changes in Amino Acid Composition.

Genome Biol Evol. 2015 7(12):3426-33. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evv232

2014

Zhi XY*, Yao JC, Tang SK, Huang Y, Li HW, Li WJ*.

The futalosine pathway played an important role in menaquinone biosynthesis during early prokaryote evolution.

Genome Biol Evol. 2014 6(1):149-60. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evu007
Zhi XY*, Yao JC, Li HW, Huang Y, Li WJ*.

Genome-wide identification, domain architectures and phylogenetic analysis provide new insights into the early evolution of shikimate pathway in prokaryotes.

Mol Phylogenet Evol. 2014 75:154-64. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.02.015

2012

Zhi XY, Zhao W, Li WJ, Zhao GP*.

Prokaryotic systematics in the genomics era.

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 2012 101(1):21-34. DOI: 10.1007/s10482-011-9667-x

2010

Zhou J*, Deng Y, Luo F, He Z, Tu Q, Zhi X.

Functional molecular ecological networks.

mBio. 2010 1(4):e00169-10. DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00169-10

2009

Zhi XY, Li WJ*, Stackebrandt E*.

An update of the structure and 16S rRNA gene sequence-based definition of higher ranks of the class Actinobacteria, with the proposal of two new suborders and four new families and emended descriptions of the existing higher taxa.

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2009 59(3):589-608. DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.65780-0