Brief Introduction

Li Ruichao, male, Ph.D. from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Distinguished Professor at Yangzhou University, Doctoral Supervisor, Jiangsu Province Outstanding Young Scientist, Director of the Basic Veterinary Department, Principal Investigator (PI) at the Jiangsu Province Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Major Animal Diseases and Zoonotic Diseases, with main research directions in veterinary pharmacology and bioinformatics. He is primarily engaged in research related to the mechanisms of drug resistance formation and dissemination in animal-derived pathogens and the application and development of new sequencing technologies. He has published 160 SCI papers in authoritative professional journals such as The ISME Journal, Genome Medicine, Drug Resistance Updates, Journal of Infection, Engineering, GigaScience, mSystems, and J Antimicrob Chemother (with a total of over 4200 citations), including 61 papers as the first or corresponding author (with the highest single paper citation of 230 times, one ESI highly cited paper, and 10 papers with an impact factor IF>10). He has been invited to review for more than 20 SCI journals in the fields of infectious diseases, veterinary medicine, pharmacology, and microbiology, including Lancet Infectious Diseases. He has been selected for the 2019 Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security's high-level overseas returnee talent support (one of 30 national spots) and Jiangsu Province's "Dual Innovation Doctor" and other talent programs. He has presided over 12 scientific research projects, including 4 international cooperation projects and general projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and has been granted 3 invention patents, 2 software copyrights, and co-authored one monograph. His research achievements have been reported by media such as China Science Daily, and he has given many academic reports in recent years, including a report at the 7th China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Association "Young Top Talent" Academic Forum in 2023.

Academic Part-time and Honors:

• Executive Director of the Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology Branch of the Chinese Association of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine

• Executive Director of the Veterinary Food Hygiene Branch of the Chinese Association of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine

• Director of the Veterinary Public Health Branch of the Chinese Association of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine

• Member of the Veterinary and Animal Science Group of the Chinese Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (ChiCAST)

• 2023/2024 World's Top 2% Scientists by Elsevier

• 2023 Outstanding Young Alumni (Academic Achievement) of the Department of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

• 2024 Second Youth Veterinary Top Talent by the China Agricultural Science and Education Foundation

Editorial Activity

Editorial board member: iMeta, Veterinary Sciences, Science in One Health

Topic editor for: Microbiological Research, Frontiers in Microbiology, Genes

Reviewer for: Lancet Infectious Diseases, Lancet Microbe, Advanced Science, Drug Resistance Updates, Emerging Microbes & Infections, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Emerging Microbes & Infections, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, BMC Genomics, Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, Science of the Total Environment, etc..

Research Summary

1. Emerging ESBLs in Vibrio parahaemolyticus: We used different molecular tools to characterize AMR, especially the ESBLs genes in the important foodborne pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Through our research, we found some ESBLs-bearing conjugative plasmids shared by Vibrip parahaemolyticus and Enterobacteriaceae. Some multi-drug resistance plasmids were found limited in Vibrio species and had an increasing prevalence recently. The evolution of MDR plasmids in Vibrio parahaemolyticus is our one research focus.

2. Transmission mechanism of mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-1, tigecycline resistance tmexCD-toprJ, tet(X) genes, and other important resistance genes: The recently discovered mcr-1 poses a great potential public health threat globally. With the help of third-generation sequencing (PacBio) technology, we conducted a comprehensive comparative study of mcr-1-bearing plasmids in E.coli. We found the mcr-1 has the ability to transfer between different genetic loci among plasmids and chromosomes. Most importantly, the transfer was completed with themcr-1 positive transposon Tn6330 by a circular intermediate through excision process. Details of this transfer process warrants further study.

3. Comparative genomics of Salmonella Derby: Salmonella Derby is one of high prevalence Salmonella serotypes in China. Through comparative genomics of strains isolated from different sources, we found two obviously different clades. Furthermore characterization is being performed.

4. Application of nanpore sequencing in AMR tracking: With the improvement of portable MinION sequencing device, we are now trying to utilize this long reads sequencing tool to resolve the MDR plasmids which are difficult to obtain complete sequences with NGS data. Other applications are being developed.

Publications

1. Li, Y., Sun, X., Dong, N., Wang, Z., Li, R., 2024. Global distribution and genomic characteristics of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli among humans, 2005–2023. Drug Resistance Updates 72, 101031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drup.2023.101031
   

2. Liu, Z., Gao, Y., Wang, M., Liu, Y., Wang, F., Shi, J., Wang, Z., Li, R., 2024. Adaptive evolution of plasmid and chromosome contributes to the fitness of a blaNDM-bearing cointegrate plasmid in Escherichia coli. The ISME Journal wrae037. https://doi.org/10.1093/ismejo/wrae037

3. Peng, K., Li, Y., Wang, Q., Yang, P., Wang, Z., Li, R., 2023. Integrative conjugative elements mediate the high prevalence of tmexCD3-toprJ1b in Proteus spp. of animal source. mSystems 8, e00429-23. https://doi.org/10.1128/msystems.00429-23

4. Li, R., Peng, K., Huang, W., Sun, X., Huang, Y., Lei, G., Lv, H., Wang, Z., Yang, X., 2022. The genomic epidemiology of mcr-positive Salmonella enterica in clinical patients from 2014 to 2017 in Sichuan, China and global epidemiological features. Journal of Infection 85, 702–769. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2022.08.042

5. Wang, Q., Peng, K., Liu, Z., Li, Y., Xiao, X., Du, X.-D., Li, R., Wang, Z., 2023. Genomic insights into linezolid-resistant Enterococci revealed its evolutionary diversity and poxtA copy number heterogeneity. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 62, 106929. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106929

6. Li, Y., Zhang, P., Du, P., Mu, Y., Cui, S., Fanning, S., Wang, Z., Li, R., Bai, L., 2023b. Insertion sequences mediate clinical ST34 monophasic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium plasmid polymorphism. Microbiological Research 272, 127387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2023.127387
   

7. Peng, K., Liu, Y., Sun, X., Wang, Q., Du, P., Zhang, Y., Wang, M., Wang, Z., Li, R., 2023. Long-read metagenomic sequencing reveals that high-copy small plasmids shape the highly prevalent antibiotic resistance genes in animal fecal microbiome. Science of The Total Environment 164585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164585

8. Li, R., Lu, X., Peng, K., Liu, Z., Li, Y., Liu, Y., Xiao, X., Wang, Z., 2020. Deciphering the Structural Diversity and Classification of the Mobile Tigecycline Resistance Gene tet(X)-Bearing Plasmidome among Bacteria. mSystems 5, e00134-20. https://doi.org/10.1128/mSystems.00134-20

9. Li, Y., Wang, Z., Dong, H., Wang, M., Qin, S., Chen, S., Li, R., 2022. Emergence of tet(X4)-positive hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae of food origin in China. LWT 114280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2022.114280
   

10. Li, R., Xie, M., Dong, N., Lin, D., Yang, X., Wong, M.H.Y., Chan, E.W.-C., Chen, S., 2018. Efficient generation of complete sequences of MDR-encoding plasmids by rapid assembly of MinION barcoding sequencing data. Gigascience 7, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/gigascience/gix132

11.  Wang Q, Peng K, Liu Y, Xiao X, Wang Z, Li R. 2021. Characterization of TMexCD3-TOprJ3, an RND-type efflux system conferring resistance to tigecycline in Proteus mirabilis, and its associated Integrative Conjugative Element. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.

12. Qin S, Peng J, Deng R, Peng K, Yan T, Chen F, Li R. 2021. Identification of two plasmids co-harboring carbapenemase genes and tmexCD1-toprJ1 in clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae ST2667. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.

13. Liu M, Zhang W, Peng K, Wang Z, Li R. 2021. Identification of a novel plasmid-mediated carbapenemase-encoding gene blaVMB-2 in Vibrio diabolicus. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.:AAC0020621.

14. Li R, Peng K, Xiao X, Wang Y, Wang Z. 2021. Characterization of novel ISAba1-bounded tet(X15)-bearing composite transposon Tn6866 in Acinetobacter variabilis. J. Antimicrob. Chemother.

15. Li R, Peng K, Xiao X, Liu Y, Peng D, Wang Z. 2021. Emergence of a multidrug resistance efflux pump with carbapenem resistance gene blaVIM-2 in a Pseudomonas putida megaplasmid of migratory bird origin. J. Antimicrob. Chemother.

16. Li R, Du P, Zhang P, Li Y, Yang X, Wang Z, Wang J, Bai L. 2021. Comprehensive Genomic Investigation of Coevolution of mcr genes in Escherichia coli Strains via Nanopore Sequencing. Glob Chall 5:2000014.

17. Yang X, Peng K, Zhang Y, Liu L, Li R. 2020. Characterization of a Novel mcr-8.2-Bearing Plasmid in ST395 Klebsiella pneumoniae of Chicken Origin. Infect Drug Resist 13:1781-1784.

18. Lu X, Xiao X, Liu Y, Huang S, Li R, Wang Z. 2020. Widespread Prevalence of Plasmid-Mediated Colistin Resistance Gene mcr-1 in Escherichia coli from Pere David's Deer in China. mSphere 5.

19. Liu Z, Xiao X, Liu Y, Li R, Wang Z. 2020. Recombination of NDM-5-producing plasmids mediated by IS26 among Escherichia coli. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents 55:105815.

20. Li R, Xie M, Liu L, Huang Y, Wu X, Wang Z, Chan EWC, Chen S. 2020. Characterisation of a cointegrate plasmid harbouring blaNDM-1 in a clinical Salmonella Lomita strain. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents 55:105817.

21. Li R, Peng K, Li Y, Liu Y, Wang Z. 2020. Exploring tet(X)-bearing tigecycline-resistant bacteria of swine farming environments. Sci. Total Environ. 733:139306.

22. Li R, Lu X, Peng K, Liu Y, Xiao X, Wang Z. 2020. Reorganization of mcr-1-bearing large MDR plasmids resolved by nanopore sequencing. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 75:1645-1647.

23. Li R, Lu X, Liu Z, Liu Y, Xiao X, Wang Z. 2020. Rapid detection and characterization of tet(X4)-positive Escherichia coli strains with nanopore sequencing. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 75:1068-1070.

24. Li R, Cheng J, Dong H, Li L, Liu W, Zhang C, Feng X, Qin S. 2020. Emergence of a novel conjugative hybrid virulence multidrug-resistant plasmid in extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST15. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents 55:105952.

25. Zhang P, Bai L, Li Y, Wang Z, Li R. 2019. Loss of mcr Genes Mediated by Plasmid Elimination and ISApl1. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 63.

26. Yang X, Liu L, Wang Z, Bai L, Li R. 2019. Emergence of mcr-8.2-bearing Klebsiella quasipneumoniae of animal origin. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 74:2814-2817.

27. Li R, Zhang P, Yang X, Wang Z, Fanning S, Wang J, Du P, Bai L. 2019. Identification of a novel hybrid plasmid coproducing MCR-1 and MCR-3 variant from an Escherichia coli strain. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 74:1517-1520.

28. Li R, Liu Z, Peng K, Liu Y, Xiao X, Wang Z. 2019. Cooccurrence of Two tet(X) Variants in an Empedobacter brevis Strain of Shrimp Origin. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 63.

29. Li R, Chen K, Chan EW-C, Chen S. 2019. Characterization of the stability and dynamics of Tn6330 in an Escherichia coli strain by nanopore long reads. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 74:1807-1811.

30.  Li R, Yu H, Xie M, Chen K, Dong N, Lin D, Chan EW-C, Chen S. 2018. Genetic basis of chromosomally-encoded mcr-1 gene. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents 51:578-585.

31. 
    

32. Li R, Xie M, Chan EWC, Chen S. 2018. Rapid resolution of multi-drug resistance bacterial genome harbouring mcr-1 and bla(CMY-2) using MinION sequencing platform. Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents 52:303-304.

33. Li R, Chen K, Chan EWC, Chen S. 2018. Resolution of dynamic MDR structures among the plasmidome of Salmonella using MinION single-molecule, long-read sequencing. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 73:2691-2695.

34. Li R, Ye L, Zheng Z, Chan EWC, Chen S. 2017. Genetic Characterization of Broad-Host-Range IncQ Plasmids Harboring blaVEB-18 in Vibrio Species. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 61.

35. Li R, Ye L, Wong MHY, Zheng Z, Chan EWC, Chen S. 2017. Evolution and comparative genomics of pAQU-like conjugative plasmids in Vibrio species. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 72:2503-2506.

36. Li RC, Chiou JC, Chan EWC, Chen S. 2016. A Novel PCR-Based Approach for Accurate Identification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Frontiers in Microbiology 7:44.

37. Li R, Ye L, Zheng Z, Chan EW, Chen S. 2016. Genetic Characterization of a blaVEB-2-carrying plasmid in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 60:6965-6968.

38. Li R, Xie M, Lv J, Wai-Chi Chan E, Chen S. 2016. Complete genetic analysis of plasmids carrying mcr-1 and other resistance genes in an Escherichia coli isolate of animal origin. J. Antimicrob. Chemother. 72:696-699.

The complete publication list can also be found in my Google Scholar wetbiste (https://scholar.google.com.hk/citations?user=TSFUjE0AAAAJ&hl=EN)