Education

Degree	Date	Affiliation	Major
PhD	2002.03	Gifu University /Shizuoka University	Microbiology
Master	1991.06	Lanzhou University	Cell Engineering
Bachelor	1988.06	Lanzhou University	Zoology

Research Experience

Date	Affiliation	Position
2009.12-present	State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University	Professor
2004.04-2009.11	State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University	Associated professor
2011.09-2012.08	School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University	Visiting Professor
2004.09-2006.09	Insect Genetics and Evolution Department,National Institute of Agrobiological Science	JSPS postdoctoral fellowship
2003.04-2004.03	National Institute of Agrobiological Science, Tsukuba, Japan.	BRAIN postdoctoral fellowship
2002.05-2003.03	Plant Physiology Department,National Institute of Agrobiological Science, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Japan	Research assistant

Research Interests

1. Termite lignocellulose-decomposing system and lignocelluolytic enzymes

2. Antimicrobial actinobacteria and their secondary metabolites

3. Systematic mining and characterization of thermophilic enzymes

4. Thermoacidophilic Sulfolobus as novel archaeal platform for industrial biotechnology

Major: Environmental Microbiology, Bioresources, Bioenergy, Applied Microbiology

Research Projects

The research is supported by the following major grants:

1) Key Program from the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC: 30930002);

2) General Program from the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC: 31470200,31272370,30770050,30870085, 31970119);

3) The national key research and development program "Key Project of Synthetic Biology" (2020YF0906802)

4) A sub-project of the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (973 Project: 2011CB707402)

5) State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology project.

Representative Publications

1. Jingjing Li, Chunjing Cao, Yutong Jiang, Qihong Huang, Yulong Shen*,Jinfeng Ni* (2020) A novel digestive β-1,3(4)-Glucanase from the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi. Appl. Biochem. Biotech. (In press)

2. Venkateswarulu Nagam Rammohan Aluru Muhammad Shoaib GuangRui Dong Zhi Li Veera Bramhachari PallavalJinfeng Ni* (2020) Diversity of fungal isolates from fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi and characterization of bioactive compound from Xylaria escharoidea. Insect Science. First published: 11 May 2020，doi:10.1111/1744-7917.12799

3. Yutong Jiang, Shuo Zhang, Zijia Lin,Jinfeng Ni* (2020) Advances in lignocellulose-degrading enzymes from termites and symbiotic microbes, Acta Microbiologica Sinica. (In press).

4. LV Xiao-Tong, LIU Ren-Yi, LIANG Shi-Zhuang,Jinfeng Ni* (2020) Isolation, identification and characterization of suspected pathogenic bacteria from lower termites, Chinese J. Appl. Ento. (In press).

5. Mayaka Joseph Badys^﹟, Huang Qihong^﹟, Xiao Yuanxi, Zhong Qing,Ni Jinfeng,Shen, Yulong*. The lonely guy (LOG) homologue SiRe_0427 from the thermophilic archaeonSulfolobus islandicus REY15A is a phosphoribohydrolase representing a novel group. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2019, 85(20).

6. Huang Qihong^﹟, Mayaka Joseph Badys^﹟, Zhong Qing, Zhang Chao, Hou Guihua,Ni Jinfeng, Yulong Shen*, Phosphorylation of the archaeal Holliday junction resolvase Hjc inhibits its catalytic activity and facilitates DNA repair in Sulfolobus islandicus REY15A. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2019, 10: 1214.

7. Zhai B, DuPrez K, Han, H, Yuan Z, Ahmad S, Xu C, Gu L,Ni J, Fan L, Yulong Shen (2018) The archaeal ATPase PINA interacts with the helicase Hjm via its carboxyl terminal KH domain remodeling and processing replication fork and Holliday junction. Nucleic Acids Research. 46(13):6627~6641.

8. Liu J, Gao R, Li C,Ni J, Yang Z, Zhang Q, Chen H, Shen Y. (2017) Functional assignment of multiple ESCRT-III homologs in cell division and budding in Sulfolobus islandicus. Mol Microbiol. 105(4), 540–553.

9. Zhai B, DuPrez K, Doukov TI, Li H, Huang M, Shang G,Ni J, Gu L, Shen Y, Fan L. (2017) Structure and Function of a Novel ATPase that Interacts with Holliday Junction Resolvase Hjc and Promotes Branch Migration. J Mol Biol. 7;429(7):1009-1029.

10. Huang Q, Zhong Q, Mayaka J,Ni J, Shen Y (2017) Autophosphorylation and Cross-phosphorylation of Protein Kinases from the Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus islandicus. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8: 2173.

11. Yan Z, Yuan Z,Ni J, Gu L, Shen Y. (2017) Crystal structure of the crenarchaeal ExoIII AP endonuclease SisExoIII reveals a conserved disulfide bond endowing the protein with thermostability. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.06.116. PMID: 28647366

12. Jianhua Wei, Jingjing Li,Jinfeng Ni* (2019)Research progress of fungus-growing insects associated actinomycetes and its secondary metabolites,Acta Microbiologica Sinica,2019, 59(10): 1864-1871.

13. Jiao Du, Shuzhe Jiang, Jianhua Wei, Yulong Shen, andJinfeng Ni*(2019). Co-expression of lignocellulase from termite and their endosymbionts. Chinese Journal of Biotechnology, 2019, 35(2): 244−253.

14. Shuzhe Jiang, Jingjing Li, Chunjing Cao, Yulong Shen, andJinfeng Ni*(2018) Molecular modification of β-glucosidase from the midgut ofMacrotermes barneyi. Chinese Journal of Biotechnology, 2018, 34(7): 1081−1090.

15. Sun X,Wei J,Li J,Ni J.* (2018) Whole-genome analysis of the dominant bacteriaDysgonomonas macrotermitis in the hindgut ofMacrotermes barneyi. Acta Microbiologica Sinica,2018，58(6)：995-1003.

16. Sun X, Li J, Du J, Xiao H,Ni J.*(2018) Cellulomonas macrotermitis sp. nov., a chitinolytic and cellulolytic bacterium isolated from the hindgut of a fungus-growing termite. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek.2018, 111(3): 471-478.

17. Jingjing Li, Xinxin Sun andJinfeng Ni*(2017) Overview of research methods on intestinal microflora of termites. Biotic Resources, 2017, 39 (4), 247-255.

18. Xinxin Sun, Jingjing Li, Na Ning, Huijun Tan andJinfeng Ni*(2017) Isolation and identification of chitin-degrading bacteria from the hindgut of Macrotermes barneyi，Microbiology China, 2017, 44 (7), 1649-1654.

19. Jingjing Li, Junfeng Liu, Yulong Shen andJinfeng Ni. (2017) Swionibacillus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of family Bacillaceae isolated from Southwest Indian Ocean. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2017, 67(9): 3440-3445.

20. Na Ning, Huijun Tan, Xinxin Sun, andJinfeng Ni* (2017) Advance of heterologous expression study of eukaryote-origin laccases，Chinese Journal of Biotechnology, 2017, 33 (4), 565-577.

21. SUN Xinxin, Ning Na, Tan Huijun,NI Jinfeng* (2017) Research progress of diversity of symbiotic microbes in the gut of termites，Chin J Appl Environ Biol, 04: 764-770.

22. Yan Z, Huang Q,Ni J, Shen Y. (2016) Distinct catalytic activity and in vivo roles of the ExoIII and EndoIV AP endonucleases fromSulfolobusislandicus. Extremophiles. 20(5):785-93.

23. Shi X, Zhang N, Ning N, Yun C, Ni J*. (2016)Isolation and identification of xylan -degrading bacteria from fungus-growing termite hindgut. Microbiology China. 3(3): 504-9.

24. Song X,Ni J, Shen Y.(2016) Structure-based genetic analysis of Hel308a in the hyperthermophilicarchaeonSulfolobusislandicus. J Genet Genomics. 43(6):405-13. PMID: 27317310

25. Song X, Huang Q,Ni J, Shen Y. (2016) Knockout and functional analysis of two DExD/H-box family helicase genes inSulfolobus islandicus REY15A. Extremophiles. 20(4):537-46.

26. Sun X, Yang Y, Zhang N, Shen Y,Ni J*. (2015) Draft Genome Sequence of Dysgonomonas macrotermitis Strain JCM 19375T，Isolated from the Gut of a Termite. Genome Announc, 3(4), 10.1128/genomeA.00963-15.

27. Ning N, Zhang N, Wu Y, &Ni J*. (2015) Comparison of lignocellulolytic enzyme activities of the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi and the lower termite Coptotermes formosanus. Chin J Appl Environ Biol, 21(4): 678-82.

28. Huang Q, Liu L, Liu J,Ni J, She Q and Shen Y (2015) Efficient 5′-3′DNA end resection by HerA and NurA is essential for cell viability in the crenarchaeon Sulfolobus islandicus. BMC Molecular Biology 16:2 (DOI:10.1186/s12867-015-0030-z)

29. Huang Q, Li Y, Zeng C, Song T, Yan Z, Ni J, She Q, Shen Y (2015) Genetic analysis of the Holliday junction resolvases Hje and Hjc in Sulfolobus islandicus.Extremophiles. 19:505-14

30. Ni J, Wu Y, Yun C, Yu ML and Shen Y*. (2014) cDNA cloning and heterologous expression of an endo-β-1,4-glucanase from the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol. 86(3):151-64.

31. Yun C, Ning N, Ni J*. (2014) Analysis of cellulose-degrading microbiome of Macrotermes barneyi hindgut.Bioprocess Engineering, 2014. 12(1): 13-7.

32. Yang YJ, Zhang N, Ji SQ, Lan X, Zhang KD, Shen YL, Li FL,Ni JF* (2014) Dysgonomonas macrotermitis sp. nov., isolated from the hindgut of a fungus-growing termite. International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol., 64:2956-61.

33. Yu M,Ni J*.(2014) Research advances on the insect laccase.Bioprocess Engineering, 12(1): 80-5.

34. Watanabe H. andNi J^*.(2013)Functional gene resources from cellulose-feeding insects for novel catalyst in “Biological Conversion of Biomass for Fuels and Chemicals: Explorations from Natural biomass Utilization Systems”. RSC Energy and Environment 2013, p156-76.

35. Ni J^*, Tokuda, G. (2013) Lignocellulose–Degrading Enzymes from Termites and Their Symbiotic Microbiota. Biotechnol. Adv. 31(6):838-50.

36. Liang P, Han W, Huang Q, Li Y,Ni J, She Q Shen Y (2013) Knockouts of RecA-Like Proteins RadC1 and RadC2 Have Distinct Responses to DNA Damage Agents in Sulfolobus islandicus. J Genet Genomics. 40:533-42.

37. Zheng T, Huang H, Zhang C,Ni J, She Q, Shen Y (2012) Development of simvastatin selection marker for hyperthermophilic acidophile, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 78:568-574.

38. Wu Y, Chi S, Yun C, Shen Y, Tokuda G,Ni J^*. (2012) Molecular cloning and characterization of an endogenous digestive β-glucosidase from the midgut of the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi.Insect Mol Biol. 21:604-14.

39. Wu Y, Hou XF, Chi SL andNi J. * (2012) Isolation and characterization of a Bacillus cereus strain with cellulose-degradation activity from a termite-inhabiting soil. Microbiology China. 39: 638-44.

40. Wu Y, Chi SL andNi J. * (2011) Isolation of a strain of Variovorax sp. R3063 with cellulase activity from termite. Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology. 48: 33-28

41. Ni J.¹*, Takehara M and Watanabe H. (2010)Identification of Activity Related Amino Acid Mutations of a GH9 Termite Cellulase. Bioresource Technology. 101:6438-43.

42. Wu L., Liu, B., Hong, Y., Sheng, D., Shen, Y.,Ni, J.* (2010) Residue Tyr224 is critical for the thermostability of Geobacillus sp. RD-2 lipase, Biotechnol Lett.32:107-12.

43. Liu, B., Wu L.,Liu, T.,Hong, Y., Shen, Y.,Ni, J.* (2009) A MOFRL family glycerate kinase from the thermophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii with unique enzymatic properties,Biotechnol Lett.31:1937-41.

44. Wang F, Zhang, S. Huang, Q, Shen, Y andNi, J.*(2009) Advance in genetic manipulation systems of Hyperthermophilic archaea. Acta Microbiologica Sinica 49, 1418-23.

45. Huang Q, Shen Y andNi, J.* (2008) Optimization of selectivr conditions for the selection of uracil auxotrophs of thermophilic archaea Sulfolobus tokodaii. Journal of Shandong University (Natural Science), 43, 6-10.

46. Ni J.,Takehara M, Miyazawa M and Watanabe H. (2007) Random exchanges of non-conserved amino acid residues among four parental termite cellulases by family shuffling improved thermostability.Protein Eng. Des. Sel.20, 535-42.

47. Ni J., Tokuda G, Takehara M and Watanabe H. (2007) Heterologous expression and enzymatic characterization of β-glucosidase from the drywood-eating termite, Neotermes koshunensis. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 42, 457-63.

48. Ni J.,Takehara, M and Watanabe H. (2005) Heterologous overexpression of a mutant termite cellulase gene in E.coli by DNA shuffling of four orthologous parental cDNAs,Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem.69: 1711-20.

49. Ni J., Sasaki, Y., Tokuyama, S., Sogabe, A., and Tahara, Y. (2002) Conversion of a typical catalase from Bacillus sp. TE124 to a catalase-peroxidase by directed evolution. J. Biosci. Bioeng. 93, 31-6.

50. Ni J., Tokuyama, S., Sogabe, A., Kawamura, Y., and Tahara, Y. (2001) Cloning and high expression of catalase gene from Bacillus sp. TE124. J. Biosci. Bioeng. 91, 422-4.

Book

Watanabe H. andNi J*. (2013) Functional gene resources from cellulose-feeding insects for novel catalyst in “Biological Conversion of Biomass for Fuels and Chemicals: Explorations from Natural biomass Utilization Systems”. RSC Energy and Environment 2013, p156-76.

Honors and awards

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Research awards for Foreigners (2004-2006)

Excellent Instructor of Undergraduate Students, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, 2018

Patents

Ni J., Shen Y, Zheng T, She Q,Development ofexpression vector withsimvastatin selection marker for hyperthermophilic acidophile.

China invention patent number：ZL2011 1 0020921.0，Certificate No: 109752. Approval date20121212.