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Teaching Interests

Professor Hong’s teaching interests are led by his research activities which cover molecular plant virology, mobile RNA silencing in host innate defence, small RNAs and virus-based technology, RNA signalling in flowering, epigenetic modulation of fruit and seed development via microRNA and DNA methylation and demethylation. Professor Hong is currently involved in teaching a PG module and supervising MSc and PhD students. 

Module

BIOS4002 Applied and Commercial Research

Research Interests

Professor Hong has been working on virus-host interactions aiming to develop novel strategies for plant and crop protection. He has also intensively studied mobile RNA silencing in plant defence; RNA signalling in flowering; genetics and epigenetics of fruit ripening, seed development and vivipary, leaf architecture and photosynthesis; RNA imagining; structural biology; plant biotechnology; molecular pharming of pharmaceuticals and development of edible vaccines for human diseases in plants. These diverse research fields are anchored by a common molecular theme of signal transduction such as mobile RNA/protein and calcium signalling. He pioneered small RNA technology and plant virus-based platforms for functional genomics and crop improvement. His research activities and outcomes are linked to sustainable agriculture and food security, crop improvement and biotechnology, synthetic biology, systems approach, functional data-driven plant and crop genomics, and novel technology for omics.

Professor Hong is also a member of the Sustainable Environments Research Group

Current Key Research Interests and Ongoing Research Activities:

• Genetic and molecular dissection of virus-host interactions
• Small RNAs and mobile RNA silencing in plant defence against viral and fungal pathogens
• Genetic network for intra- and intercellular and systemic RNA silencing
• Molecular framework for selective epigenetics in host antiviral defence
• Heritable virus-induced gene editing and novel virus-based functional genomics tools
• DNA methylation and demethylation in tomato development and fruit ripening, and pollen and seed development
• Molecular mechanism underlying transgenerational epigenetic traits in plants
• RNA signalling in flowering and plant response to environments
• Molecular pharming of vaccines and pharmaceuticals in edible vegetables and fruits

Current Research Projects:

• UK BBSRC Research Grant (2021-2024) Deciphering pathogenicity and development in obligate downy mildew pathogen using small RNA approach (BB/V014609/1; Co-I with Professor Mahmut Tör as PI)
• Ziashan Pinzhilian Co Ltd (2019-2022) “sRNA-based antiviral therapeutics in plants (Co-PI with Professor Mahmut Tör)

Current PhD Students:

• Chris Norman: Deciphering the inter-kingdom RNA exchanges in the Alternaria-tomato pathosystem (Co-supervisor with Professor Mahmut Tör as Director of studies)
• Pengcheng Zhang: Intracellular RNA signalling in RNAi and its role in antiviral defence (Co-supervisor with Professor Mahmut Tör as Director of studies)
• Zhenhui Jin: Selective DNA methylation in plant antiviral defence (Co-supervisor with Professor Mahmut Tör as Director of studies)
• Daljingder Kaur: Cross-kingdom sRNA-mediated defence (Co-supervisor with Professor Mahmut Tör as Director of studies)

Membership of Professional Bodies

• Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (Since 2016)
• Narnaviridae Study Group, International Committee of Taxonomy of Viruses (1999 – 2002)
• American Society of Microbiology
• British Society of Plant Pathology

Publications

2023

1. Ma W, Zhang P, Zhao J, Hong Y (2023) Chinese cabbage: an emerging model for functional genomics in leafy vegetable crops. Trends in Plant Science 28: 515-518.
2. Gong Q, Wang Y-J, He L, Huang F, Zhang D, Wang Y, Wei X, Han M, Deng H, Luo L, Cui F, Hong Y, Liu Y (2023) Molecular basis of methyl salicylate-mediated plant airborne defense. Nature 622: 139–148.
3. Hong Y, Liu Y (2023) Genetic dissection of plant’s airborne defences. Nature .
4. Shu P, Zhang Z, Wu Y, Chen Y, Li K, Deng H, Zhang J, Zhang X, Wang J, Liu Z, Xie Y, Du K, Li M, Bouzayen M, Hong Y, Zhang Y, Liu M (2023) A comprehensive metabolic map reveals major quality regulations in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis). New Phytologist 238: 2064-2079.
5. Gong Q, Wang Y, Zhang X, Zhao J, Liu Y, Hong Y (2023) Plant airborne defence against insects, viruses and beyond. Trends in Plant Science, .
6. ErdoÄŸan I, Cevher-Keskin B, Bilir Ö, Hong Y, Tör M (2023) Recent Developments on CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing Technology for Plant Disease Resistance and Abiotic Stress Tolerance. Biology 12: 1037.
7. Yang M, Ismayil A, Gao T, Ye Z, Wu Y, Zheng X, Li Y, Wang Y, Hong Y, Liu Y (2023) Cotton Leaf Curl Multan virus C4 protein suppresses autophagy to facilitate viral infection. Plant Physiology. 193: 708-720 (News and Views, ).
8. Pei Y, Xue Q, Zhang Z, Shu P, Deng H, Bouzayen M, Hong Y, Liu M (2023) β-1,3-GLUCANASE10 regulates tomato development and disease resistance by modulating callose deposition. Plant Physiology 192: 2785-2802.
9. Pei Y, Xie Q, Shu P, Xu W, Du X, Wu M, Liu K, Pirrello J, Bouzayen M, Hong Y, Liu M (2023) SlERF.H5 and SlERF.H7 activate cell wall formation and repress gibberellin synthesis dependent on a conserved LPL motif in tomato. Preprint Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4530800 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4530800
10. Han GH, Huang RN, Hong LH, Xu JX, Hong Y, Wu YH, Chen WW (2023) Transcription factor NAC102 confers Cd tolerance by regulating WAKL11 expression and cell wall pectin metabolism in Arabidopsis. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 65, 2262–2278.
11. Zhu H, Han G, Wang J, Xu J, Hong Y, Huang L, Zheng S, Yang J, Chen W (2023) CG hypermethylation of the bHLH39 promoter regulates its expression and Fe deficiency responses in tomato roots. Horticulture Research 10: uhad104.
12. Wang Y, Li J, Wang J, Han P, Miao S, Zheng X, Han M, Shen X, Li H, Wu M, Hong Y, Liu Y (2022) Plant UVRAG Interacts with ATG14 to Regulate Autophagosome Maturation. New Phytologist 236: 1358–1374.
13. Gong Q, Wang Y, Jin Z, Hong Y, Liu Y (2022) Transcriptional and post‑transcriptional regulation of RNAi‑related gene expression during plant‑virus interactions. Stress Biology 2: 33.

2022

1. Wang Y, Gong Q, Jin Z, Liu Y, Hong Y (2022) Linking calcium and RNAi signaling in plants. Trends in Plant Science 27(4): 328-330.
2. Yang M, Ismayil A, Jiang Z, Wang Y, Zheng X, Hong Y, Li D, Liu Y (2022) A viral protein disrupts vacuolar acidification to facilitate virus infection in plants. EMBO Journal 41(2): e108713.
3. Mohamed A, Jin Z, Osman T, Shi N, Tör M, Jackson S, Hong Y (2022) Hotspot siRNA confers plant resistance against viral infection. Biology 11(5): 714.
4. Yu Z, Wang Y, Mei F, Yan H, Jin Z, Zhang P, Zhang X, Tör M, Jackson S, Shi N, Hong Y (2022) Spinach-based RNA mimicking GFP in plant cells. Functional & Integrative Genomics 22: 423-428.
5. Yu Z, Chen W, Wang Y, Zhang P, Shi N, Hong Y (2022) Mobile Flowering Locus T RNA – Biological Relevance and Biotechnological Potential. Frontiers in Plant Science 12: 792192.
6. Jimenez-Quiros C, Okechukwu EC, Hong Y, Baysal O, Tör M (2022) Comparison of antifungal activity of Bacillus strains against Fusarium graminearum in vitro and in planta. Plants 11: 1999.
7. Bilir Ö, Göl D, Hong Y, McDowell JW, Tör M (2022) Small RNA-based plant protection against diseases. Frontiers in Plant Science doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.951097.
8. Zhu H, Wang J, Jiang D, Hong Y, Xu J, Zheng S, Yang J, Chen W (2022) miR157-SPL-CNR module acts upstream of bHLH101 to regulate iron deficiency responses in tomato. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology 64: 1059-107.
9. Wen Y, Wang J, Zhu H, Han G, Huang R, Huang L, Hong Y, Zheng S, Yang J, Chen W (2022) Potential Role of Domains Rearranged Methyltransferase7 in starch and chlorophyll metabolism to regulate leaf senescence in tomato. Frontiers in Plant Science 13: 836015.
10. Chen W, Zhu H, Wang J, Han G, Huang R, Hong Y, Yang J (2022) Comparative physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal altered Fe-deficiency responses in tomato epimutant Colourless non-ripening. Frontiers in Plant Science 12: 796893.

2021

1. Wang Y, Gong Q, Wu Y, Huang F, Ismayil A, Zhang D, Li H, Gu H, Ludman M, Fatyol K, Qi Y, Yoshioka K, Hanley-Bowdoin L, Hong Y, Liu Y (2021) A calmodulin-binding transcription factor links calcium signalling to antiviral RNAi defense in plants. Cell Host & Microbe 29: 1393-1406 (Preview in Cell Host & Microbe 29: 1339–1341; Editor’s Highlights in Molecular Plant)
2. Kahveci E, Devran Z, Hong Y, Studholme DJ, Tör M (2021) Genomic-assisted markers development suitable for CsCvy-1 selection in cucumber breeding. in Plant Sciences 12: 1442.
3. Li H, Zhang D, Xie K, Wang Y, Liao Q, Hong Y, Liu Y (2021) Efficient and high-throughput pseudorecombinant-chimeric Cucumber mosaic virus-based VIGS in maize. Plant Physiology https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiab443.

2020

1. Yu Z, Mei F, Yan H, Chen Q, Yao M, Liu S, Wang Y, Zhang X, Zhang P, Jackson S, Shi N, Liu Y, Hong Y (2020) Reappraisal of Spinach-based RNA Visualization in Plants. bioRxiv doi: ()
2. Yao M, Chen W, Kong J, Zhang X, Shi N, Zhong S, Ma P, Gallusci P, Jackson S, Liu Y, Hong Y (2020) METHYLTRANSFERASE1 and ripening modulate vivipary during tomato fruit development. Plant Physiology 183: 1883-1897 (Highlight in Plantae: On The Inside, ).
3. Yu Z, Cho SK, Zhang P, Hong Y^*, Hannapel DJ^* (2020) Utilizing Potato Virus X to Monitor RNA Movement. In: Heinlein M. (eds) RNA Tagging. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2166, pp181-194. Humana, New York, NY.
4. Wang J, Chen T, Han M, Qian L, Li J, Wu M, Han T, Cao J, Nagalakshmi U, Rathjen J, Hong Y, Liu Y (2020) Plant immune receptor Tm-2² requires NBS domain-mediated oligomerization of CC domain at plasma membrane for its activation. PLoS Pathogens 16: e1008475.
5. Lai T, Wang X, Ye B, Jin M, Chen W, Wang Y, Zhou Y, Blank A, Gu M, Zhang P, Zhang X, Li C, Wang H, Liu Y, Gallusci P, Tor M, Hong Y (2020) Molecular and functional characterization of SlSPL-CNR in tomato fruit ripening and cell death. Journal of Experimental Botany 71: 2995-3011.
6. Zhang X, Kang L, Zhang Q, Meng Q, Pan Y, Yu Z, Shi N, Jackson S, Zhang X-l, Wang H, Tör M, Hong Y (2020) An RNAi suppressor activates in planta virus-mediated gene editing. Functional & Integrative Genomics 20: 471–477.
7. Ismayil A, Yang M, Haxim Y, Wang Y, Li J, Han L, Wang Y, Zheng X, Wei X, Nagalakshmi U, Hong Y, Hanley-Bowdoin L, Liu Y (2020) Cotton leaf curl Multan viral betasatellite encoded βC1 induces autophagy by disrupting the interaction of autophagy-related protein 3 with Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases. Plant Cell 32: 1124–1135. (Highlight in Plant Cell 32: 805–806; Review in Plantae: https://plantae.org/viral-proteins-activate-autophagy/).
8. Yuan C, Li H, Qin C, Zhang X, Chen Q, Zhang P, Xu X, He M, Zhang X-l, Tör M, Xue D, Wang H, Jackson S, He Y, Liu Y, Shi N, Hong Y (2020) Foxtail mosaic virus-induced flowering assays in monocot crops. Journal of Experimental Botany 71: 3012-3023 (Cover & Insight commentary; Journal of Experimental Botany, 71: 2839–2841).

2019

1. Wang Y, Wu Y, Gong Q, Ismayil A, Yuan Y, Lian B, Jia Q, Han M, Deng H, Hong Y, Hanley-Bowdoin L, Qi Y, Liu Y (2019) Geminiviral V2 protein suppresses transcriptional gene silencing through interaction with AGO4. Journal of Virology 93: e01675-18.
2. Zhang X, Lai T, Zhang P, Zhang X-l, Yuan C, Jin Z, Li H, Yu Z, Qin C, Tör M, Ma P, Cheng Q, Hong Y (2019) Revisiting mobile RNA silencing in plants. Plant Science 278: 113-117 (Invited review).
3. Bilir O, Telli O, Norman C, Budak H, Hong Y, Tor M (2019) Small RNA inhibits infection by downy mildew pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Molecular Plant Pathology 20: 1523-1534.

2018

1. Chen W, Zhang X, Fan Y, Li B, Ryabov E, Shi N, Zhao M, Yu Z, Qin C, Zheng Q, Zhang P, Wang H, Jackson S, Cheng Q, Liu Y, Gallusci G, Hong Y (2018) A genetic network for systemic RNA silencing in plant. Plant Physiology 176: 2700-2719 (Highlight in Plantae: On The Inside, ).
2. Ismayil A, Haxim Y, Wang Y, Li H, Qian L, Han T, Chen T, Jia Q, Zhu S, Deng H, Gorovits R, Hong Y, Liu Y (2018) Cotton Leaf Curl Multan Virus C4 protein suppresses both transcriptional and post transcriptional gene silencing by interacting with SAM synthetase. PLoS Pathogens 14: e1007282.
3. Yu Z, Chen Q, Chen W, Zhang X, Mei F, Zhang P, Zhao M, Wang X, Shi N, Jackson S, Hong Y (2018) Multigene editing via CRISPR/Cas9 guided by a single-sgRNA seed in Arabidopsis. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology. 60: 376-381.
4. Devran Z, Kahveci E, Hong Y, Studholme DJ, Tör M (2018) Identifying molecular markers suitable for Frl selection in tomato breeding. 131: 2099–2105.
5. Chen W, Yu Z, Kong J, Wang H, Li Y, Zhao M, Wang X, Zheng Q, Shi N, Zhang P, Zhong S, Hunter P, Tör M, Hong Y (2018) Comparative WGBS identifies genes that influence non-ripe phenotype in tomato epimutant Colourless non-ripening. Science China Life Science 61: 244-252.

2017

1. Qin C, Li B, Fan Y, Zhang X, Yu Z, Ryabov E, Zhao M, Wang H, Shi N, Zhang P, Jackson S, Tor M, Cheng Q, Liu Y, Gallusci P, Hong Y (2017) Roles of Dicer-Like proteins 2 and 4 in intra- and intercellular Antiviral Silencing. Plant Physiology 174:1067-1081.
2. Qin C, Chen W, Shen J, Cheng L, Akande F, Zhang K, Yuan C, Li C, Zhang P, Shi N, Cheng Q, Liu Y, Jackson S, Hong Y (2017) A virus-induced flowering assay for functional dissection and analysis of monocot and dicot FT genes. Plant Physiology 174: 875-885.
3. Haxim Y, Ismayil A, Jia Q, Wang Y, Zheng X, Chen T, Qian L, Liu N, Wang YW, Han S, Cheng J, Qi Y, Hong Y, Liu Y (2017) Autophagy functions as an antiviral mechanism against geminiviruses in plants. eLife 6: e23897.
4. Chen T, Liu D, Niu X, Wang J, Qian L, Han L, Liu N, Zhao J, Hong Y, Liu Y (2017) Antiviral resistance protein Tm-2² functions on the plasma membrane. Plant Physiology 173: 2399-2410.
5. Taylor JL, Massiah A, Kennedy S, Hong Y, Jackson J (2017) FLC expression is down-regulated by cold treatment in Diplotaxis tenuifolia (wild rocket), but flowering time is unaffected. Journal of Plant Physiology. 214: 7-15.

2016

1. Boureau L, How Kit A, Teyssier E, Drevensek S, Rainieri M, Joubès J, Stammitti L, Pribat A, Bowler C, Hong Y, Gallusci P (2016) A Curly leaf homologue controls both vegetative and reproductive development of tomato plants. Plant Molecular Biology 90: 485-501.
2. Zhao J, Zhang X, Hong Y, Liu Y (2016) Chloroplast in plant-virus interaction. Frontiers in Microbiology 7: 1565.
3. Jia Q, Liu N, Xie K, Dai Y Han S, Qian L, Wang Y, Zhao J, Gorovits R, Xie D, Hong Y, Liu Y (2016) CLCuMuB βC1 subverts ubiquitination by interacting with NbSKP1s to enhance geminivirus infection in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLoS Pathogens 12: e1005668.
4. Liu N, Xie K, Jia Qi, Zhao J, Chen T, Wei X, Diao X, Hong Y, Liu Y (2016) Foxtail mosaic virus-induced gene silencing in monocot plants. Plant Physiology 171: 1801-1807.

2015

1. Wang Y, Zheng X, Yu B, Han S, Guo J, Tang H, Yu AYL, Deng H, Hong Y, Liu Y (2015) Disruption of microtubules in plants suppresses macroautophagy and triggers start excess-associated chloroplast autophagy. Autophagy 11: 2259-2274.
2. Liu RE, How-Kit A, Stammitti L, Teyssier E, Rolin D, Bertrand A, Halle S, Liu M, Kong J, Wu C, Degraeve-Guibault C, Chapman N, Maucourt M, Hodgman C, Tost J, Bouzayen M, Hong Y, Seymour GB, Giovannoni J, Gallusci P (2015) A DEMETER-Like DNA demethylase governs tomato fruit ripening. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 112: 10804-10809.
3. Chen W, Kong J, Lai T, Manning K, Wu C, Wang Y, Qin C, Li B, Yu Z, Zhang X, He M, Zhang P, Gu M, Yang X, Mahammed A, Li C, Osman T, Shi N, Wang H, Jackson S, Liu Y, Gallusci P, Hong Y (2015) Tuning LeSPL-CNR expression by SlymiR157 affects tomato fruit ripening. Scientific Reports 5: 7852.
4. Chen W, Kong J, Qin C, Yu S, Tan J, Chen Y, Wu C, Wang H, Shi Y, Li C, Li B, Zhang P, Wang Y, Lai T, Yu Z, Zhang X, Shi N, Wang H, Osman T, Liu Y, Manning K, Jackson J, Rolin D, Zhong S, Seymour GB, Gallusci P, Hong Y (2015) Requirement of CHROMOMETHYLASE3 for somatic inheritance of the spontaneous tomato epimutation Colourless non-ripening. Scientific Reports 5: 9192.
5. Han S, Wang Y, Zheng X, Jia Q, Zhao J, Bai F, Hong Y, Liu Y (2015) Cytoplastic glyceral-dehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases interact with ATG3 to negatively regulate autophagy and immunity in plants. Plant Cell 27: 1316-1331.
6. Chen W, Zhang Q, Kong J, Hu F, Li B, Wu C, Qin C, Zhang P, Shi N, Hong Y (2015) MR VIGS: microRNA-based virus induced gene silencing in plants. Methods in Molecular Biology 1287: 147-157.
7. Hong Y, Jackson S (2015) Floral induction and flower formation – the role and potential applications of miRNAs. Plant Biotechnology Journal 13: 282-292 (Invited review).
8. Lai T, Wang Y, Zhou T, Mei F, Zhang P, Zhou Y, Shi N, Hong Y (2015) Virus-induced LeSPL-CNR silencing inhibits fruit ripening in tomato. Journal of Agricultural Science 7: 184-195.

2014

1. , , , , , , , (2014) Virus-based MicroRNA silencing in plants. Plant Physiology 164: 36-47.

2013

1. Kong J, Chen W, Sheng J, Qin C, Lai T, Zhang P, Wang Y, Wu C, Yang X, Hong Y (2013) Virus-induced gene complementation in tomato. Plant Signaling & Behavior 8: e27142.
2. Li B, Hu F, Zhang Q, Zhang X, Hong Y (2013) A cellular gene as a double surveillance agent for plant to combat pathogen. Plant Signaling & Behavior. 8: e26817.
3. Du Y, Zhao J, Chen T, Liu Q, Zhang H, Wang Y, Hong Y, Xiao F, Zhang L, Shen Q, Liu Y (2013) Type I J-Domain NbMIP1 Proteins Are Required for Both Tobacco Mosaic Virus Infection and Plant Innate Immunity. PLoS Pathogens 9: e1003659.
4. Wang Y, Yu B, Zhao J, Guo J, Li Y, Han S, Huang L, Du Y, Hong Y, Tang D, Liu Y (2013) Autophagy contributes to leaf start degradation. Plant Cell 25: 1383-1399 (Faculty of 1000 biology).
5. Zhao J, Liu Q, Zhang H, Jia Q, Hong Y, Liu Y (2013) RuBisCO small subunit is involved in Tobamovirus movement and Tm2²-mediated extreme resistance. Plant Physiology 161: 374-383 (Faculty of 1000 biology).

2012

1. Zhou T, Zhang H, Lai T, Qin C, Shi N, Wang H, Jin M, Zhong S, Fan Z, Liu Y, Wu Z, Jackson S, Giovannoni J, Rolin D, Gallusci P, Hong Y (2012) Virus-induced gene complementation reveals a transcription factor network in modulation of tomato fruit ripening. Scientific Reports 2: 836.
2. Qin C, Shi N, Gu M, Zhang H, Li B, Shen J, Mohammed A, Ryabov E, Li C, Wang H, Liu Y, Osman T, Vatish M, Hong Y (2012) Involvement of RDR6 in short-range intercellular RNA silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana. Scientific Reports 2: 467.
3. Xu G, Li S, Xie K, Zhang Q, Wang Y, Tang Y, Liu D, Hong Y, He C, Liu Y (2012) Plant ERD2-like proteins function as ER luminal protein receptors and participate in programmed cell death during innate immunity. Plant Journal 72:57-69.
4. Jackson S, Hong Y (2012) Systemic movement of FT mRNA and a possible role in floral induction. Frontiers in Plant Science. 3: 127 (Invited review).

2011

1. Li C, Gu M, Shi N, Zhang H, Yang X, Osman T, Liu Y, Wang H, Vatish M, Jackson S, Hong Y (2011) Mobile FT mRNA contributes to the systemic florigen signalling in floral induction. Scientific Reports 1:73 (Highlight in Nature Middle East, doi:10.1038/nmiddleeast.2011.123).
2. Bruce G, Gu M, Shi N, Liu Y, Hong Y^* (2011) Influence of retinoblastoma-related gene silencing on the initiation of DNA replication by African cassava mosaic virus Rep in cells of mature leaves in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Virology Journal 8:561.
3. Shi NN, Xu Y, Yang KF, Chen Y, Wang HZ, Xu XB, Hong Y (2011) Development of a sensitive diagnostic assay to detect Cymbidium mosaic and Odontoglossum ringspot viruses in members of the Orchidaceae. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology 86: 69-73.
4. Wu Y, Huang J, Liu J, Jin M, Gu M, Hong Y, Wu Z (2011) Protective effect of recombinant human glucagon-like peptide-1 (rhGLP-1) pretreatment in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Journal of Peptide Science 17: 499–504.
5. Shi Y, Qin Y, Cao Y, Sun H,  Zhou T, Hong Y, Fan Z (2011) Influence of an m-type thioredoxin in maize on potyviral infection. European Journal of Plant Pathology 131: 317–326.

2010

1. Tang Y, Wang F, Zhao J, Hong Y, Liu Y (2010) Virus-based microRNA expression for gene functional analysis in plants. Plant Physiology 153: 632-641.

2009

1. Li C, Zhang K, Zeng X, Jackson S, Zhou Y, Hong Y (2009) A cis-element within FLOWERING LOCUS T mRNA determines its mobility and facilitates trafficking of heterologous viral RNA. Journal of Virology 83: 3540-3548 (Faculty of 1000 biology).
2. Shi Y, Ryabov E, Van Wezel R, Li C, Jin M, Wang W, Fan Z, Hong Y (2009) Suppression of local RNA silencing is not sufficient to promote cell-to-cell movement of Turnip crinkle virus in Nicotiana benthamiana. Plant Signalling & Behaviour 4: 15-22 (Cover article).

2008

1. Lin ZF, Hong Y, Yin M, Li C, Zhang K, Grierson D (2008) A tomato HD-Zip homeobox protein, LeHB-1, plays an important role in floral organogenesis and ripening. Plant Journal 55: 301-310.
2. Zhou Y, Ryabov E, Zhang X, Hong Y (2008) Influence of viral genes on the cell-to-cell spread of RNA silencing. Journal of Experimental Botany 59: 2803-2813 (Cover article).
3. Jin M, Li C, Shi Y, Huang J, Wu Z, Fan Z, Hong Y (2008) A single amino acid change in a geminiviral Rep protein differentiates between triggering a plant defence response and initiating viral DNA replication. Journal of General Virology 89: 2636-2641.
4. Chen A, Zhou T, Wu X, Hong Y, Fan Z, Li H (2008) Influence of cytoplasmic heat shock protein 70 on viral infection of Nicotiana benthamiana. Molecular Plant Pathology 9: 809-818 (Cover article).
5. MA Y, Zhou T, Hong Y, Fan Z, Li H (2008) Decreased level of ferredoxin I in Tobacco mosaic virus-infected tobacco is associated with development of the mosaic symptom. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 72: 39-45.
6. Zeng X, Zhang K, Li Z, Zhou Y, Bo L, Zhang X, Hong Y (2008) Production of highly immunogenic tuberculosis proteins in plants using a versatile Potato virus X-based expression system. Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology 83: 4-8. 
7. Shi Y, Gu M, Fan Z, Hong Y (2008) RNA silencing suppressor: how viruses fight back. Future Virology 3: 125-133 (Invited review, Cover article).

2006

1. Manning K, Tor M, Poole M, Hong Y, Thompson AJ, King GJ, Giovannoni JJ, Seymour GB (2006) A naturally occurring epigenetic mutation in an SBP-box gene inhibits tomato fruit ripening. Nature Genetics 38: 948-952.
2. Segers GC, Van Wezel V, Zhang X, Hong Y, Nuss DL (2006) Hypovirus papain-like protease p29 suppresses RNA silencing in the natural fungal host and in an heterologous plant system. Eukaryotic Cell 5: 896-904.

2004

1. Van Wezel R, Hong Y (2004) Virus survival of RNA silencing without deploying protein-mediated suppression in Nicotiana benthamiana. FEBS Letters 562: 65-70 (Cover article).
2. Ryabov E, Van Wezel R, Walsh J, Hong Y (2004) Cell-to-Cell, but not long-distance spread of RNA silencing induced initially in individual epidermal cells. Journal of Virology 78: 3149-3154.

2003

1. Hong Y, Stanley J, Van Wezel R (2003) Novel system for the simultaneous analysis of DNA replication and plant-virus interactions in Nicotiana benthamiana. Journal of Virology 77: 13315-13322.
2. Dong X, Van Wezel R, Stanley J, Hong Y (2003) Functional characterisation of the nuclear localisation signal for a suppressor of posttranscriptional gene silencing. Journal of Virology 77: 7026-7033.
3. Van Wezel R, Liu H, Wu Z, Stanley J, Hong Y (2003) Contribution of the zinc finger and DNA binding by a suppressor of posttranscriptional gene silencing. Journal of Virology 77: 696-700.

2002

1. Van Wezel R, Dong X, Tien P, Stanley J, Hong Y (2002) Mutation of three cysteine residues in tomato yellow leaf curl China virus C2 protein causes dysfunction in pathogenesis and post-transcriptional gene silencing suppression. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 15: 203-208.
2. Van Wezel R, Dong X, Blake P, Stanley J, Hong Y (2002) Differential roles of geminivirus Rep and AC4 (C4) in the induction of necrosis in Nicotiana benthamiana. Molecular Plant Pathology 3: 461-471.
3. Posthuma KI, Adams AN, Hong Y, KIRBY MJ (2002) Partial sequence of Strawberry crinkle virus L gene and detection of the virus by PCR. Plant Pathology 51: 266-274.

2001

1. Van Wezel R, Liu H, Tien P, Stanley J, Hong Y (2001) Gene C2 of the monopartite geminivirus Tomato yellow leaf curl virus from China virus encodes a pathogenicity determinant that is localised in the nucleus. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 14: 1125-1128.
2. Yin Q, Yang H, Gong Q, Wang H, Liu Y, Hong Y, Tien P (2001) Tomato yellow leaf curl virus from China: Monopartite genome organization and agroinfection of plants. Virus Research 81: 69-76.
3. Hong Y, Davies D-L, Van Wezel R, Ellerker BE, Morton A, Barbara D (2001) Expression of immunodominant membrane protein of chlorantie-aster yellows phytoplasma in Nicotiana benthamiana from a potato virus X-based vector. Acta Horticulturae 550: 409-415.

2000

1. Cole TE, Hong Y, Brasier CM, Buck KW (2000) Detection of an RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase in mitochondria from a mitovirus infected isolate of the Dutch elm disease fungus, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Virology 268: 239-243.
2. Posthuma KI, Adams AN, Hong Y (2000) Strawberry crinkle virus, a Cytorhabdovirus needing more attention from virologists. Molecular Plant Pathology, 1: 325-330 (Review article).
3. Gong QH, Liu YL, Hong Y, Wang HY, Chen G, Cai JH (2000) There is the second virus that causes tobacco leaf curl disease (not TbLCV-CHI) in the field. Chinese Science Bulletin 45: 1131-1137.

1999

1. Hong Y, Dover S, Cole TE, Brasier CM, Buck KW (1999) Multiple mitochondrial viruses in an isolate of the Dutch elm disease fungus, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Virology 258: 118-127.

1998

1. Hong Y, Cole TE, Brasier CM, Buck KW (1998) Novel structure of two virus-like RNA elements from a diseased isolate of the Dutch elm disease fungus, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Virology 242: 80-89.
2. Hong Y, Cole TE, Brasier CM, Buck KW (1998) Evolutionary relationships among putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase encoded by a mitochondrial virus-like RNA in the Dutch elm disease fungus, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, by other viruses and virus-like RNAs, and by the Arabidopsis mitochondrial genome. Virology 246: 158-169.
3. Cole TE, Muller BM, Hong Y, Brasier CM, Buck KW (1998) Complexity of virus-like double-stranded RNA elements in a diseased isolate of the Dutch elm disease fungus, Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Journal of Phytopathology 146: 593-598.

1997

1. Hong Y, Saunders K, Stanley J (1997) Transactivation of dianthin transgene expression by African cassava mosaic virus AC2. Virology 228: 383-387.
2. Liang Z, Ma DQ, Tang L, Hong Y, Luo AL, Zhou J, Dai XY (1997) Expression of the spinach betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) gene in transgenic tobacco plants. Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 13: 153-159.

1996

1. Hong Y, Saunders K, Hartley MR & Stanley J (1996) Resistance to geminivirus infection by virus-induced expression of a plant cytotoxin. Virology 220: 119-127.
2. Hong Y, Stanley J (1996) Virus resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana conferred by African cassava mosaic virus replication-associated protein (AC1) transgene. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions 9: 219-225.

1995

1. Hong Y, Stanley J (1995) Regulation of African cassava mosaic virus complementary-sense gene expression by N-terminal sequences of the replication-associated protein AC1. Journal of General Virology 76: 2415-2422.
2. Hong Y, Harrison BD (1995) Nucleotide sequences from tomato leaf curl viruses from different countries: evidence for three geographically separate branches in evolution of the coat protein of whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses. Journal of General Virology 76: 2043-2049.

1994

1. Hong Y, Cai JH, Wang XF, Tien P (1994) Chinese squash leaf curl geminivirus: a new whitefly-transmitted geminivirus. Science in China (Series B) 38: 179-186.
2. Hong Y, Cai JH, Wang XF, Wang WH, Huang Y, Tien P (1994) Preliminary study on molecular evolution of tobacco leaf curl geminivirus. Chinese Science Bulletin 39: 520-523.
3. Cai JH, Hong Y, Huang FX, Wang XF, Tien P (1994) Studies on Chinese squash leaf curl geminivirus: biological and serological properties and molecular hybridisation. Virologica Sinica 9: 221-225.
4. Hong Y, Wang XF, Tien P, Robinson DJ, Harrison BD (1994) Specific nucleic acids in host plant infected by Indian cassava mosaic virus. Virologica Sinica 9: 43-47.

1993

1. Hong Y, Robinson DJ, Harrison BD (1993) Nucleotide evidence for the occurrence of three distinct whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses in cassava. Journal of General Virology 94: 2437-2443.
2. Hong Y, Wang XF, Tien P, Robinson DJ, Harrison BD (1993) Coat protein of Indian cassava mosaic virus: I. primary structure of coat protein and its gene. Acta Microbiologica Sinica 33: 98-103.
3. Hong Y, Wang XF, Tien P, Robinson DJ, Harrison BD (1993) Coat protein of Indian cassava mosaic virus: II. Some properties of coat protein analysed through computer software. Acta Microbiologica Sinica 33: 255-259.

1992

1. Hong Y (1992) An efficient method for DNA sequencing. Microbiology 19: 363-366.

1991

1. Hong Y, Wang XF, Peng MY, Tien P, Liu L, Cheng SX (1991) Studies of molecular biology of rice stripe virus (I) Molecular weight and amino acid composition and N-terminus of coat protein. Chinese Science Bulletin 36: 602-605.

1990

1. Liu L, Hong Y, Cheng SX, Wang XF, Peng MY, Tien P (1990) Studies on virus of rice stripe disease in China. Virologica Sinica 3: 306-311.
2. Hong Y, Yang YK, Zheng YX (1990) EM observation on intact cells, protoplasts and protoplast formation in Corynebacterium. Acta Microbiologica Sinica 30: 475-476.
3. Hong Y, Yang YK, Zheng YX (1990) Studies on selecting high yield strains of Glu by interspecific fusion of heat inactivated Corynebacteria protoplasts. Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 4: 327-330.

1988

1. Hong Y, Yang YK, Zheng YX (1988) Interspecific fusion of inactivated protoplasts in Corynebacterium. Hereditas 10: 24-27.

Book and Book Chapter

1. Poltronieri P, Hong Y (2019) Applied Plant Biotechnology for Improvement of Resistance to Biotic Stress (eds), Elsevier, Paperback ISBN: 9780128160305; eBook ISBN: 9780128160312
2. Poltronieri P, Hong Y (2015) Applied Plant Genomics and Biotechnology (eds), Elsevier Publishing, Hardcover ISBN: 9780081000687; eBook ISBN: 9780081000717.
3. Foster GD, Johansen E, Hong Y, Nagy P (2008) Plant Virology Protocols: From viral sequence to protein function. Methods in Molecular Biology (eds). Humana Press, Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-58829-827-0; eBook ISBN: 978-1-59745-102-4
4. Qin C, Zhang Q, He M, Kong J, Li B, Mohamad A, Chen W, Zhang P, Zhang X, Yu Z, Lai T, Shi N, Osman T, Hong Y (2015) Chapter 14 Virus Technology for functional genomics in plants. Page 229-236. In Applied Plant Genomics and Biotechnology (eds by Poltronieri P, Hong Y). Elsevier.
5. Teyssier E, Boureau L, Chen W, Degraeve-Guibault C, Stammitti L, Hong Y, Gallusci P (2015) Chapter 8 Epigenetic regulation during fleshy fruit development and ripening.Page 133-152. In Applied Plant Genomics and Biotechnology (eds by Poltronieri P, Hong Y). Elsevier.
6. Rolin D, Teyssier E, Hong Y, Gallusci P (2015) Chapter 9 Tomato fruit quality improvement facing the factional genomics revolution. Page 153-166. In Applied Plant Genomics and Biotechnology (eds by Poltronieri P, Hong Y). Elsevier.
7. Hong Y (1995) Plant viruses as sources of vectors and gene expression and regulatory elements (Chapter 7, Part II) in Plant Genetic Engineering, Tien P, Xu ZH, & Ye Y (eds.) pp109-133.

External Roles

• Member of the UKRI Talent Panel College
• Member of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships Sift and Interview Panels
• Member of Research Council of Finland Grant Review Panel
• Member of the UKRI Future Leaders Fellows Development Network
• Mentor for the FLFDN Leadership Mentoring Programme
• Editorial Board Member for Biology
• Editorial Board Member for Horticulturae
• Associate Editor for Frontiers in Plant Sciences
• Associate Editor for Journal of Horticultural Sciences and Technology
• Editor, Functional & Integrative Genomics
• Grant Reviewer for UKRI, BBSRC, NERC, ANR-FRA, NSF-USA, NSF-Israel, USA-Israel BARD, and NSF-CHN
• MScR/PhD Thesis External Examiner for Universities in UK, France, and China
• Academic Promotion Evaluator for Institutions in UK, USA, and China