Yingqi Cai
Curriculum Vitae
Education:
PhD Student: Major of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. University of North Texas, Denton, TX.
Bachelor of Science: Major of Biological Science. Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China.
Research Project:
My research focuses on lipid metabolism and lipid droplet formation in plants. My major research project is entitled “Function of SEIPINs in Lipid Droplet Formation in Plant Cells”. SEIPIN proteins have been associated with fat storage in yeast cells and mammals. However, essentially nothing is known about the cellular mechanism of how lipids are packaged into lipid droplets in plants and how SEIPIN proteins participate in this process. My research project is aimed to investigate the functional roles of SEIPIN proteins in lipid metabolism and lipid droplet formation in plant cells, using Arabidopsis thaliana and N. benthamiana as model plants. This research will help us better understand the broader cellular mechanism of lipid droplet formation and may offer new strategies to increase lipid production in plants.
Publications:
- Satinder K. Gidda, Sunjung Park, Michal Pyc, Olga Yurchenko, Yingqi Cai, Peng Wu, David W. Andrews, Kent D. Chapman, John M. Dyer, and Robert T. Mullen (2016) Lipid droplet-associated proteins (LDAPs) are required for the dynamic regulation of neutral lipid compartmentation in plant cells. Plant Physiology. 170: 2052-207.
- Yingqi Cai, Joel M. Goodman, Michal Pyc, Robert T. Mullen, John M. Dyer, and Kent D. Chapman (2015) Arabidopsis SEIPIN proteins modulate triacylglycerol accumulation and influence lipid droplet proliferation. The Plant Cell. 27(9): 2616-36.
- Fushan Liu, Qianru Zhao, Noel Mano, Zaheer Ahmed, Felix Nitschke, Yingqi Cai, Kent D. Chapman, Martin Steup, Ian J. Tetlow and Michael J. Emes (2015) Modification of starch metabolism in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana increases plant biomass and triples oilseed production. Plant Biotechnology Journal. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12453.
- Presentations/Posters:
- Yingqi Cai, Robert T. Mullen, John M. Dyer and Kent D. Chapman (2016) Arabidopsis SEIPIN proteins influence lipid droplet proliferation in plant cells. American Society of Plant Biologists – Southern Section. Denton, TX.
- Yingqi Cai, Ann M. Price, Elizabeth A. McClinchie, Charles McDaniel, Tucker Burke, Olga Yurchenko, Sunjung Park, Thuy N. Nguyen, Samantha Watt, Satinder K. Gidda, Robert T. Mullen, John M. Dyer and Kent D. Chapman (2015) Expression of Mouse Fat Storage-Inducing Transmembrane Protein 2 (FIT2) Promotes Lipid Droplet Accumulation in Plants. Gordon Research Conference -- Plant Lipids: Structure, Metabolism & Function. Galveston, TX.
- Yingqi Cai, Kent D. Chapman (2014) ER Localized Arabidopsis SEIPIN Proteins Regulate Lipid Droplet Number and Morphology. American Society of Plant Biologists -- Southern Section. Lexington, KY.
- Yingqi Cai, Joel M. Goodman, Kent D. Chapman (2013) Probing Functions of Arabidopsis SEIPINs in Lipid Droplet Biogenesis. Gordon Research Conference -- Plant Lipids: Structure, Metabolism & Function. Galveston, TX.
- Yingqi Cai; Kent D. Chapman (2012) Characterization of the Functions of SEIPINs in Arabidopsis thaliana. American Society of Plant Biologists. Austin, TX.
Patents:
US Patent Application PCT/US2013/076672. Methods for Elevating Fat/Oil content in Plants. Puri Vishwajeet; Chapman, Kent Dean; James, Christopher N; Cai, Yingqi. Filed Date: December 19, 2013. Priority Date December 19, 2012. Reference U.S. Publication Number: WO2014100467 A1.
Research and Teaching Experience:
Department of Biological Science, University of North Texas - Teaching Assistant
- Cell Biology Lab – BIOL 3520 (Fall 2011; Spring 2012; Fall 2012; Spring 2013; Spring 2014; Fall 2014; Spring 2015)
- Advanced Research in Life Sciences – BIOL 3900 (Fall 2013, Fall 2016)
Center for Plant Lipid Research, University of North Texas - Research Assistant
- Research project: Function of SEIPINs in Lipid Droplet Formation in Plant Cells. (Jun. 2012 – Aug. 2012; Jun. 2013 – Aug. 2013; Jun. 2014 – Aug. 2014; Jun. 2015 – Aug. 2016)
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