Renchao Zhou

Integrative genomic insights into parallel local adaptation to Danxia and Karst edaphic islands in the endangered tree Firmiana danxiaensis

This study identifies genomic mechanisms of parallel local adaptation in Firmiana danxiaensis to contrasting edaphic islands, revealing distinct environmental drivers and shared stress responses.

Extensive mitogenome divergence across the Rafflesiaceae in size and impact of horizontal gene transfer

The paper compares mitochondrial genomes of Rafflesiaceae parasites and their host to show how horizontal gene transfer and structural changes lead to divergent mitogenome architectures.

Plastome convergence across heterotrophic plant lineages: genome reduction, extreme AT bias, high substitution rates, and functional persistence in the endoparasitic Mitrastemonaceae

The paper characterizes the plastome of Mitrastemonaceae, revealing extreme AT bias, genome reduction, and functional persistence despite accelerated substitution rates.

Reshaping Organellar Translation and tRNA Metabolism: The Consequences of Photosynthesis Loss and Massive Horizontal Gene Transfer

This study investigates how photosynthesis loss and horizontal gene transfer reshape organellar translation and tRNA metabolism in holoparasitic plants.

Evidence for plastome loss in the holoparasitic Mystropetalaceae

The paper provides evidence for plastome loss in the holoparasitic family Mystropetalaceae using DNA and RNA sequencing data.

Origin and rapid evolution of minicircular and highly heteroplasmic mitogenome in the holoparasitic plant genus Rhopalocnemis

This study compares mitogenomes of Rhopalocnemis phalloides and a congeneric species to investigate the origin and evolution of minicircular chromosomes, heteroplasmy, and conserved regions.

Circle-Mediated HGT shapes the multichromosomal mitochondrial genome of the endoparasite Mitrastemon yamamotoi

This study reveals that Mitrastemon yamamotoi has acquired over 60% of its mitochondrial DNA from its host through horizontal gene transfer, supporting the circle-mediated HGT model.