Projects | Zhenyong Du

My Ph.D. research in the Cai Lab at China Agricultural University focused on the population genetics of hemipteran insects to uncover their evolutionary histories, including speciation, colonization, and invasion. I initially employed PCR-based approaches and later incorporated next-generation sequencing (NGS) for mitogenomic analyses. During this period, I published several key studies, including a paper on periodical cicadas in Molecular Biology and Evolution (2019) and papers on the spinous assassin bug and spotted lanternfly in Evolutionary Applications (2020 and 2023).

Building on this foundation, I became increasingly interested in leveraging whole-genome data to explore evolutionary history in greater depth and to dissect the genetic mechanisms of adaptation. I completed a chromosome-level genome assembly of a globally invasive sycamore lace bug using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing, followed by genomic resequencing of more than 400 individuals to investigate the species’ invasion history and adaptive evolution.

ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH APPROACH

Genome architecture evolution in an invasive copepod species complex.

My projects in the Lee Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison apply comparative and population genomic methods, using the copepod Eurytemora affinis species complex as a model system, to explore rapid evolutionary responses to global change. My research focuses on two main aspects:

(1) applying advanced technology to sequence and assemble the chromosome-level reference genomes for different sibling species within the E. affinis complex and performing comparative genomic analyses to resolve the genomic substrates underlying the high adaptive ability of these copepods.

(2) applying laboratory natural selection experiments (Evolve and Resequence) on E. affinis populations to acquire time-series data and identify candidate loci under selection.

The goal is to study the epistatic interactions among different loci associated with adaptation to salinity decline and temperature increase, which are predicted consequences of climate change at higher latitudes.