Comparative Genomics of Kunming Primate Research Center

Principal Investigator: Bing Su, PhD

Education and Research Experiences

1985-1989: Bachelor of Life Science, Wuhan University, China

1991-1996: Ph. D of Genetics, KIZ, CAS, China

1996-1997: Research Associate, KIZ, CAS, China

1997-2000: Postdoctor, Human Genetics Center, University of Texas, USA

2000-2001: Research Fellow, Human Genetics Center, University of Texas, USA

2001-2004: Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, USA

2004-present: Professor, KIZ, CAS, China

Research Interests:

The enlarged brain and sophisticated cognitive skills (e.g. language) are among the most significant adaptive changes occurred during human origin. The genetic basis for these adaptive changes remains unclear. Through genome wide comparative genetic analysis among living primates including humans, we aim to understand the genetic mechanism of human origin and reconstruct the prehistory of modern human evolution. We also study human mental disorders using genetic tools.

Comparative gene expression analysis between humans and nonhuman primates. With the use of microarray and other expression analysis tools, we aim to delineate the expression difference of certain brain regions, e.g. the prefrontal cortex between humans and nonhuman primates, therefore to understand how the divergence at expression level contribute to the cognitive differences between humans and nonhuman primates.

Genome-wide comparative sequence analysis in major primate lineages including humans. Using comparative sequencing and bioinformatics tools, we aim to detect the so-called “fast-evolving” genes in the human genome, especially those related with brain development and function, and to identify those human-specific sequence changes that contributed to the formation of human cognition.

Modern human origin and prehistoric migration in East Asia. Working with modern and fossil human samples, we aim to describe the genetic structure of living populations in China and other East Asian areas, to test the “Out of Africa” hypothesis of modern human origin in East Asia by reconstructing the evolutionary history of East Asian populations.

Human Mental Disorders. With the use of family and population based genetic analysis, we aim to understand the genetic basis of human mental disorders, such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Depression and Schizophrenia.

Selected Publication

1. Chen XH, Su B. 2005 The testis-specific apoptosis related gene TTL.6 underwent adaptive evolution in the lineage leading to humans. Gene 370:58-63.

2. Liu Y, Yang S. Lin AA, Cavalli-Sforza LL, Su B. 2005 Molecular evolution of CXCR1, a G protein coupled receptor involved in signal transduction of neutrophils. J. Mol. Evol. 61:691-696.

3. Liu HL, Wang YQ, Liao CH, Kuang YQ, Zheng YT, Su B. 2005 Adaptive Evolution of Primate TRIM5α, a Gene Restricting HIV-1 Infection. Gene 362:109-116.

4. Wang W, Xu HL, Lin LP, Su B, Wang YQ. 2005 Construction of a BAC library for Chinese amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri and identification of clones containing Amphi-Pax genes. Genes Genet. Syst. 80:233-236.

5. Shi H, Dong YL, Wen B, Xiao CJ, Underhill PA, Shen PD, Chakraborty R, Jin L and Su B. 2005 Y chromosome evidence of southern origin of the East Asian specific haplogroup O3-M122. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 77: 408-419.

6. Yang S, Liu Y, Lin AA, Cavalli-Sforza LL, Zhao ZM, Su B. 2005 Adaptive evolution of MRGX2, a human sensory neuron specific gene involved in Nociception. Gene 352: 30-35.

7. Wang YQ, Qian YP, Yang S, Shi H, Liao CH, Zheng HK, Wang J, Lin AA, Cavalli-Sforza LL, Underhill PA, Chakraborty R, Jin L, Su B. 2005 Accelerated evolution of the PACAP precursor gene during human origin. Genetics. 170: 801-806.

8. Ma LY, Marmor M, Zhong P, Ewane L, Su B, Nyambi P. 2005 Distribution of CCR2-64I and SDF1- 3’A Alleles and HIV Status in 7 Ethnic Populations of Cameroon. J AIDS 40:89-95.

9. Li Y, Qian YP, Yu XJ, Wang YQ, Dong DG, Sun W, Ma RM, Su B. 2004 Recent origin of a hominoid specific splicing form of neuropsin, a gene involved in learning and memory. Molecular Biology and Evolution 21: 2111-2115.

10. Wen B, Li H, Lu DR, Song XF, Zhang F, He Y, Li F, Gao Y, Mao X, Zhang L, Qian J, Tan J, Jin J, Huang W, Deka R, Su B, Chakraborty R, Jin L. 2004 Genetic evidence supports demic diffusion of Han culture. Nature 431: 302-304

11. Wang YQ, Su B. 2004 Molecular evolution of microcephalin, a gene determining human brain size. Human Molecular Genetics 13: 1131-1137.

12. Qian, YP, Jin L, Su B. 2004 Construction and characterization of bacterial artificial chromosome library of black-handed spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) Genome 47: 239-245.

13. Xu HL., Qian YP., Nie WH., Chi JX., Yang FT., Su B. 2004 Construction, characterization and chromosomal mapping of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti). Chromosome Research 12: 251-262.

14. Wen B, Xie XH, Gao S, Li H, Shi H, Song XF, Qian TZ, Xiao CJ, Jin JZ, Su B, Lu DR, Chakraborty R, Jin L. 2004 Analyses of genetic structure of Tibeto-Burman populations revealed a gender-biased admixture in southern Tibeto-Burmans. American Journal of Human Genetics 74: 856-865.

15. Ke YH, Su B. (co-first author) et al. 2001 No independent origin of modern humans in East Asia: a tale of 12, 000 Y chromosomes. Science 292: 1155.-1153.

16. Su, B et al. 2000 Y chromosome haplotypes reveal prehistorical migrations to the Himalayas. Human Genetics 107: 582-590

17. Su, B et al. 2000 Distributions of three HIV-1 resistant polymorphisms (SDF1-3'A, CCR2-64I, and CCR5-?32) in Global Populations. European Journal of Human Genetics 8: 939-945

18. Su, B et al. 2000 Polynesian Origins: New Insights from the Y-chromosome Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, USA 97: 8225-8228

19. Jin L and Su B. 2000 Natives or Immigrants: Modern human origin in East Asia. Nature Reviews Genetics 1: 126-133.

20. Qian YP, Qian BZ, Su B. 2000 Multiple Origins of Tibetan: Y Chromosome Evidences. Human Genetics 106: 453-454