My research group focuses on advancing pest management and biological control by understanding of intricate interactions among insects, natural enemies, and the environment. Specifically, through a combination of field experiments, molecular techniques, and modeling approaches, we aim to:

       i) characterize genetic adaptability underpinning agricultural pests' widespread success and capacity to thrive in diverse environment; 

       ii) identify the influence of landscape heterogeneity in shaping functional traits of arthropod communities, mediating pest suppression by natural enemies natural pest suppression, as well as driving the trophic networks in agricultural landscapes.

      iii) explore the potential of microbial symbiosis (such as presence and diversity of Wolbachia in agricultural insect pests) for novel biocontrol strategies.

Undergraduate Course

• Biological safety: Principles & Technologies, Co-Instructor                                                                                           2024-present

• Insect Ecology - bilingual: Chinese and English, Instructor                                                                                            2018-present

Graduate Course

• Advanced Entomology, Co-Instructor                                                                                                                              2020-2023

• Special Topics in Pest Management, Co-Instructor                                                                                                          2019-present

• Ecology and Evolution, Instructor                                                                                                                                    2018-present

1.  Syngenta Group                                                                                                                                    2024-2028

     Development of gene editable insect cell lines as a tool for protein function studies

2.  Ministry of Science and Technology, China                                                                                         2023-2026

     Developing intercrop-based biological control strategies for crop pest management                                                          

3.  Natural Science Foundation (NSF) of Fujian Province                                                                        2022-2025

     Genetic basis of climate adaptability in lepidopteran insects                                                                                               

4.  Fujian Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security                                            2021-2025 

    Adaptive evolution of major agriculture pests under climate change                                                                        

5.  National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)                                                                      2020-2023

     Pesticide resistance management for vegetable production                                                                                                 

6.  Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University                                                                                          2020-2022

     Elucidating insect-microbial symbioses to enhance crop pest control                                                                                 

7.  Ministry of Science and Technology, China                                                                                         2019-2022

     Ecological and biological control of insect pests in tea plantations                                                                                     

8.  Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University                                                                                          2019-2021

     Insect-microbe interactions in agroecosystems                                                                                                                   

9.  Fujian Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security                                            2018-2020

     Evolutionary relationship and geographical patterns of genetically varied populations of lepidopteran pests      

10.  Natural Science Foundation (NSF) of Fujian Province                                                                       2017-2021

     Understanding pest outbreak dynamics to develop ecological pest management strategies for vegetable production

Publications

 (^*: corresponding author; ^#: equal contributing author)

a) Articles in international peer-reviewed journals:

1. Li, T., Guo, J., Hu, G., Yu, X., Cao, F., Su, H., You, M., Liu, Y., Gurr, G., You, S^*. (2024). Zinc finger proteins facilitate adaptation of a global insect pest to climate change. BMC Biology, (accepted).

2. You, S^*#., Yao, S^#., Chen, X^#., Hou, Q., Liu, Z., Lei, G., Xie, X., Liang, Z., Yuchi, Z., You, M., Liu, Y., Xiong, L^*. (2024). CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the PxJHBP gene resulted in increased susceptibility to Bt Cry1ac protoxin and reduced lifespan and spawning rates in Plutella xylostella. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08721.

3. Lei, G., Huang, J., Zhou, H., Chen, Y., Song, J., Xie, X., Vasseur, L., You, M., You, S^*.(2024). Polygenic adaptation of a cosmopolitan pest to a novel thermal environment. Insect Molecular Biology, DOI: 10.1111/imb.12908.

4. You, S., Lei, G., Zhou, H., Li, J., Chen, S., Huang, J., Vasseur, L., Gurr, G., You, M., Chen, Y^*. (2024). Thermal acclimation uncovers a simple genetic basis of adaptation to high temperature in a cosmopolitan pest. iScience, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109242.

5. Zhu, X., Li, J., He, A., Gurr, G. M., You, M., You, S^*. (2024). Developmental shifts in the microbiome of a cosmopolitan pest: unraveling the role of Walachia and dominant bacteria. Insects, DOI: 10.3390/insects15020132.

6. You, S^*., You M, Niu D^*. (2024). Identification of floral volatiles from Fagopyrum esculentum that attract Cotesia vestalis with potentially better biocontrol efficacy against Plutella xylostella. Pest Management Science, DOI: 10.1002/ps.7808 (Featured Cover Story/Image).

7. Li, J^*., Zhang, B., Mao, Y., Jiang, J., Li, K., You, S. (2023). Comparative analysis of habitat suitability for a crop and its primary insect herbivore: providing insights for crop planting and pest management strategies. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1305369.

8.  Li, M., Zhang, Y., Yan, J., Ding, F., Chen, C., Zhong, S., Li, M., Zhu, Y., Yue, P., Li, P., You, S^*., Jin. S^*. (2023). Comparative metabolomic analysis reveals the differences in nonvolatile and volatile metabolites and their quality characteristics in beauty tea with different extents of punctured leaves by tea green leafhopper. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01380.

9. Zhu, X., Zhang, L., Li, J., He, A., You, M., You, S^*. (2023). Effects of antibiotic treatment on the development and bacterial community of the Wolbachia-infected diamondback moth. Evolutionary Bioinformatics, DOI: 10.1177/11769343231175269.

10. Lei, G., Zhou, H., Chen, Y., Vasseur, L., Gurr, G., You, M., You, S^*. (2023). A very long-chain fatty acid enzyme gene, PxHacd2 affects the temperature adaptability of a cosmopolitan insect by altering epidermal permeability. Science of The Total Environment, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164372

11. Dong, Y., Hou, Q., Ye, M., Li, Z., Li, J., You, M., Yuchi, Z., Lin, J^*., You, S^*. (2023). Clip-SP1 cleavage activates downstream prophenoloxidase activating protease (PAP) in Plutella xylostella. Developmental and Comparative Immunology, DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.104737.

12. Li, X., Lin, L., Li, Z., Hadiatullah, H., Sharma, S., Du, H., Yang, X., Chen, W., You, S., Bureik, M., Yuchi, Z^*. (2023). Development of an efficient insecticide substrate and inhibitor screening system of insect P450s using fission yeast. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103958.

13. Saqib, H.S.A., Sun, L., Pozsgai. G., Liang, P., Goraya, M.U., Akutse, K.S., You, M., Gurr, GM^*., and You, S^*. (2023). Gut microbiota assemblages of generalist predators are driven by local- and landscape-scale factors. Frontiers in Microbiology, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1172184.

14. Li, Z., Xiong, L., Li, J., Yao, S., Dong, Y., Li, Y., Chen, X., Ye, M., Zhang, Y., Xie, X., You, M., Yuchi, Z., Liu, Y., You, S^*. (2023). Enhanced resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin mediated by the activation of prophenoloxidase in a cosmopolitan pest. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124678.

15.  Li, M., Zhang, Y., Chen, C., Zhong, S., Li, M., Xu, K., Zhu, Y., Li, P., You, S^*., Jin, S^*. (2023). Chemical and quality analysis of beauty tea processed from fresh leaves of tieguanyin variety with different puncturing degrees. Foods, DOI: 10.3390/foods12091737.

16. Xiong, L., Liu, Z., Li, J., Yao, S., Li, Z., Chen, X., Shen, L., Zhang, Z., Li, Y., Hou, Q., Zhang, Y., You, M., Yuchi, Z., You, S^*. (2023). Analysis of the effect of Plutella xylostella polycalin and abcc2 transporter on Cry1Ac susceptibility by crispr/cas9-mediated knockout. Toxins, DOI:10.3390/toxins15040273.

17. Zhu, X., Liu, T., He, A., Zhang, L., Li, J., Li, T., Miao, X., You, M., You, S^*. (2023). Diversity of wolbachia infection and its influence on mitochondrial dna variation in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107751.

18. Liu, T., Zhu, X., He, D., You, M., You, S^*. (2023). Oxygen stress on age-stage, two-sex life tables and transcriptomic response of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), Environmental Entomology, DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvad010.

19. Li, J., Shi, L., Chen, W., Mao, Y., Vasseur, L., Gurr, G., You, M., You, S^*. (2023). Environmental heterogeneity drives population genetic divergence of a key agricultural pest, Empoasca onukii, Entomologia Generalis, DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/2023/1695.

20.  Xing, W., Lin, L., Wang, Z., Xiong, L., Hadiatullah, H., Chen, W., You, S., Moussian, B., Wang, Y., Yuchi, Z. (2023). Expression and purification of snustorr snarlik protein from Plutella xylostella,Protein Expression and Purification, DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106256.

21. Zhang, J., Saqib, H.S.A., Niu, D., Guaman, K., Wang, A., Yu, D., You, M., Pozsgai, G^*., You, S^*. (2023). Contrasting roles of landscape compositions on shaping functional traits of arthropod community in subtropical vegetable fields. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, DOI: 10.1016/j.agee.2023.108386.

22. Ye, M., Xiong, L., Dong, Y., Xie, C., Zhang, Z., Shen, L., Li, Z., Yue, Z., Jiang, P., Yuchi, Z., You, M., You, S^*. (2022). The potential role of the methionine aminopeptidase gene PxMetAP1 in a cosmopolitan pest for Bacillus thuringiensis toxin tolerance. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113005.

23. Zhang, Z., Xiong, L., Xie, C., Shen, L., Chen, X., Ye, M., Sun, L., Yang, X., Yao, S., Yue, Z., Liang, Z., You, M., You, S^*. (2022). Optimization and application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in a cosmopolitan pest, diamondback moth. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113042.

24. Saqib, H.S.A., Sun, L., Pozsgai., G., Liang, P., You, M., Gurr, G^*., You, S^*. (2022). DNA metabarcoding of gut contents reveals key habitat and seasonal drivers of trophic networks involving generalist predators in agricultural landscapes, Pest Management Science, DOI: 10.1002/ps.7161.

25. Sun,L., Li, J., Chen, J., Chen, W., Yue, Z., Shi, J., Huang, H., You, M., You, S^*. (2022). An ensemble learning approach to map the genetic connectivity of the parasitoid Stethynium empoasca (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) and identify the key influencing environmental and landscape factors, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.943299.

26. Ke, F., Li, J., Vasseur, L., You, M., You, S^*. (2022). Temporal sampling and network analysis reveal rapid population turnover and dynamic migration pattern in overwintering regions of a cosmopolitan pest, Frontiers in Genetics, DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.986724.

27. Zhou, H., Lei, G., Chen, Y., You M, You, S^*. (2022). PxTret1-like affects the temperature adaptability of a cosmopolitan pest by altering trehalose tissue distribution. InternationalJournal of Molecular Sciences, DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169019.

28. Li, J., Shi, L., Vasseur, L., Zhao, Q., Chen, J., You, M^*., You, S^*. (2022).Genetic analyses reveal regional structure and demographic expansion of the predominant tea pest Empoasca onukii (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in China, Pest Management Science, DOI: 10.1002/ps.6908.

29. Niu, D., Liu, Z., Shen, L., Zhou, H., You, M., Isman, M., You, S^*. (2022). Repellent and toxic effects of Salvia rosmarinus oil against Liriomyza sativae, Annals of Applied Biology,DOI: 10.1111/aab.12775.

30. Liu, T., Zhan, X., Li, J., Ke, F., Zhu, X., Chen, Y., He, W., You, S^*. (2022). Novel EST SSRs for an important quarantine pest Liriomyza sativae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and their cross species transferability, Applied Entomology and Zoology, DOI: 10.1007/s13355-022-00771-z.

31. Ye, M., Nayak, B., Xiong, L., Xie, C., Dong, Y., You, M., Yuchi, Z^*., You, S^*. (2022). The role of insect cytochrome P450s in mediating insecticide resistance, Agriculture, DOI: 10.3390/agriculture12010053.

32. Chen, Y., Liu, Z., Régnière, J., Vasseur, L., Lin, J., Huang, S., Ke, F., Chen S., Li, J., Huang, J., Gurr, G^*., You, M^*., You, S^*.(2021). Large-scale genome-wide study reveals climate adaptive variability in a cosmopolitan pest, Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27510-2.

33. Xiong, L., Liu, Z., Shen, L., Xie, C., Ye, M., Li, Z., Zhang, Z., Li, J., Dong, Y., You, M., You, S^*. (2021). A novel reference for Bt-resistance mechanism in Plutella xylostella based on analysis of the midgut transcriptomes, Insects, DOI: 10.3390/insects12121091.

34. Xie, C., Xiong, L., Ye, M., Shen, L., Li, J., Zhang, Z., You, M., You, S^*. (2021). Genome-wide analysis of V-ATPase genes in Plutella xylostella (L.) and the potential role of PxVHA-G1 in resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.11.169.

35. Liu, T., Zhan, X., Yu, Y., Wang, S., Lu, C., Lin, G., Zhu, X., He, W., You, M^*., You, S^*. (2021). Molecular and pharmacological characterization of biogenic amine receptors from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.Pest Management Science, DOI: 10.1002/ps.6481 (Featured Cover Story/Image).

36. Zhang, J., You, S.,Niu, D., Giovana, G., Wang, A., Saqib, H.S.A., He, W., Yang, G., Pozsgai, G*., You, M^*. (2021). Landscape composition mediates suppression of major pests by natural enemies in conventional cruciferous vegetables. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment,DOI: 10.1101/2021.02.04.429816.

37.  Cai, S., Zhang, Z., Huang, S., Bai, X., Huang, Z., Zhang, Y., Huang, L., Tang, W., Haughn, G., You, S^*., Liu, Y^*. (2021). CannabisGDB: a comprehensive genomic database for Cannabis Sativa L. Plant Biotechnology Journal, DOI:10.1111/pbi.13548.

38.  Wang, Y., Huang, Y., Xu, X., Liu, Z., Li, J., Zhan, X., Yang, G., You, M^*., You, S^*. (2021). CRISPR/Cas9-based functional analysis of yellow gene in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.Insect Science, DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12870.

39.  Imboma, T.S., Ferrante, M., You, M., You, S^*., Lövei, G.L^*. (2020). Diversity of bird communities in tea (Camellia sinensis) plantations in Fujian Province, south-eastern China. Diversity, DOI: 10.3390/d12120457.

40. Li, J., Shi, L., Chen, J., You, M^*., You, S^*.(2020). Development and characterization of novel microsatellite markers for a dominant parasitoid Stethynium empoasca (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in tea plantations using high-throughput sequencing. Applied Entomology and Zoology, DOI: 10.1007/s13355-020-00704-8.

41.  Liu, Z., Fu, S., Ma, X., Baxter, S. W., Vasseur, L., Xiong, L., Huang, Y., Yang, G., You, S^*., You, M^*. (2020). Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac toxin requires mutations in two Plutella xylostella ATP-binding cassette transporter paralogs. PLoS Pathogens, DOI:10.1371/journal.ppat.1008697.

42. Zhou, Y., Wang, W., Salauddin, N. M., Lin, L., You, M., You, S^*., Yuchi, Z^*. (2020). Crystal structure of the N-terminal domain of ryanodine receptor from the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, DOI:10.1016/j.ibmb.2020.103454.

43. Zhou, Y., Ma, D., Lin, L., You, M., Yuchi, Z^*., You, S^*. (2020). Crystal structure of the ryanodine receptor SPRY2 domain from the diamondback moth provides insights into the development of novel insecticides. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.9b08151.

44.  You, M^#., Ke, F^#., You, S^#., et al. (2020). Variation among 532 genomes unveils the origin and evolutionary history of a global insect herbivore. Nature communications, DOI:  10.1038/s41467-020-16178-9.

45.  Imboma, T. S., Gao, D. P., You, M., You, S^*., Lövei, G. L^*. (2020). Predation pressure in tea (Camellia sinensis) plantations in southeastern china measured by the sentinel prey method. Insects, DOI: 10.3390/insects11040212.

46. Ke, F., You, S^*., Huang, S., Chen, W., Liu, T., He, W., Xie, D., Li, Q., Lin, X., Vasseur, L., Gurr, G., You, M^*. (2019). Herbivore range expansion triggers adaptation in a subsequently-associated third trophic level species and shared microbial symbionts. Scientific Reports,DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46742-3.

47. Liao, J., Xue, Y., Xiao, G., Xie, M., Huang, S., You, S^*.,Wyckhuys, K., You, M^*. (2019). Inheritance and fitness costs of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxin Cry2Ad in laboratory strains of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.). Scientific Reports,DOI: 0.1038/s41598-019-42559-2.

48. Liu, T., Fu, S., You, S., Chen, W., He, W., You, M^*. (2017). Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for Cotesia plutellae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Insects, DOI: 10.3390/insects8020063.

49. Ke, F^#., You, S^#., He, W., Liu, T., Vasseur, L., Douglas, C.J., You, M^*. (2015). Genetic differentiation of the regional Plutella xylostella populations across the Taiwan Strait based on identification of microsatellite markers. Ecology and Evolution, 5(22), DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1850.  

50. Peng, L., Zou, M., Ren, N., Xie, M., Vasseur, L., Yang, Y., He, W., Yang G., Gurr, Geoff, Hou, Y., You S., You, M^*. (2015). Generation-based life table analysis reveals manifold effects of inbreeding on the population fitness in Plutella xylostella. Scientific reports, DOI: 10.1038/srep12749.

51. Liu, Y., You, S., Taylor-Teeples, M., Li, W. L., Schuetz, M., Brady, S. M., & Douglas, C. J^*. (2014). BEL1-LIKE HOMEODOMAIN6 and KNOTTED ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA7 interact and regulate secondary cell wall formation via repression of REVOLUTA. The Plant Cell, DOI: 10.1105/tpc.114.128322.

52. Tang, W., Yu, L., He, W., Yang, G., Ke, F., Baxter, S.W., You, S., Douglas, C.J., and You, M^*. (2014). DBM-DB: the diamondback moth genome database. Database, DOI: 10.1093/database/bat087.

53. You, S.,Liu, J., Huang, D., Ke, F., Vasseur, L., Gurr, G., Clarke, S.R., Sun, J., Wu, K., You, M^*. (2013). A review of the mealybug Oracella acuta: Invasion and management in China and potential incursions into other countries. Forest Ecology and Management, DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2013.05.024.

b) Articles in Chinese peer-reviewed journals (in Chinese with English abstract):

1. Li, J., You, M., You, S^*. (2022). Progress in utilizing biodiversity to enhance pest control in tea plantations. Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology, DOI: 10.7679/j.issn.2095-1353.2022.075.

2. Chen, Y^#., You, S^#., Ke, F., Liu, T., Li, J., You, M^*. (2020). Advances in landscape genomics and its application in integrated pest management. Acta Entomologica Sinica, DOI: 10.16380/j.kcxb.2020.11.013.

3. Li, J.,Niu, D., Chen, J., You, S^*., You, M^*. (2020). Effects of landscape pattern around tea plantation on the population genetic structure of the tea green leafhopper, Empoasca onukii (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Acta Entomologica Sinica, DOI: 10.16380/j.kcxb.2020.10.010.

4. Zhu, X^#., You, S^#., Liu, T., Zhang, L., You, M^*. (2020). Research progress on Wolbachia endosymbionts in arthropods. Acta Entomologica Sinica, DOI: doi:10.16380/j.kcxb.2020.07.012.

5. Ke, F., You, S., Huang, S., Liu, T., Xie, D., You, M^*. (2019). Spatiotemporal dynamics of genetic variation in populations of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), in China. Acta Entomologica Sinica, DOI:10.16380/j.kcxb.2019.05.011.

6. You, S., Zhang, J., Li, J.,Chen, Y., Liu, T.,Niu, D., You, M^*. (2019). Theory and practice of utilizing biodiversity to enhance pest control in agroecosystems. Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology, DOI: 10.7679/j.issn.2095-1353.2019.124.

As a faculty member

• Outstanding Teacher Award, FAFU                                                                                                                                               2024

• Pang Xiongfei (Member of Chinese Academy of Science) Foundation Award for Outstanding Young Scientists                      2023

• Provincial Award for High-level Talents, Fujian Province                                                                                                            2022

• Provincial Award for Youth Top-notch Talents, Fujian Province                                                                                                  2021

• First Prize Award in Research Achievements and Social Service Contributions, FAFU                                                              2021

As a PDF

• Cross-strait Award for Outstanding PDFs                                                                                                                                     2018