Dr. Changxi (Chang) Li

Image Changxi Li
Research Scientist

(1). Identification and characterization of genes for economically important traits including growth, feed efficiency, fat deposition, carcass merit traits, and beneficial fatty acids in beef cattle; (2). Investigation of functions of DNA polymorphisms and elucidation of genetic mechanisms regulating growth, feed efficiency and fat deposition in beef cattle; (3). Development of genomic tools and selection indexes to enable the beef industry to improve the above-mentioned traits through genomic selection and genome assisted management.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
4-10 Agri-For Building, Dept of AFNS, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Current research and/or projects

•Whole-genome association analyses for growth, reproductive performance, feed efficiency, fat deposition, and carcass merit in beef cattle using sequence variants.

•Validation of DNA marker associations for growth, reproductive performance, feed efficiency, fat deposition, and carcass merit in beef cattle.

•Genetic evaluation and genomic prediction for growth, reproductive performance, feed efficiency, fat deposition, and carcass merit in beef cattle.

•Development of functional genomic prediction platform for industry applications.

Research and/or project statements

Research results contribute to the development of advanced genomic tools that will enable the beef industry to select and produce cattle with improved production efficiency and quality.  

Professional activities / interests

• Conduct research in beef genomics.

• Train professionals in animal genetics and genomics.

• Work with the industry to develop and implement advanced genomic tools in genetic selection and breeding.

Education and awards

PhD. in Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, 1998, University of Alberta, Canada.

BSc. in Agronomy, 1983. Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, China.

Key publications

  1. Olson, C.A., Li, C., Block, H., McKeown, L., Basarab, J.A. (2021). Phenotypic and genetic correlations of beef replacement heifer feeding behaviour, feed intake and feed efficiency with cow performance and lifetime productivity. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, [online] 138(3), 300-313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12522

    2021 - View publication details

  2. Cardoso, D.F., Fernandes Júnior, G.A., Scalez, D.C.B., Alves, A.A.C., Magalhães, A.F.B., Bresolin, T., Ventura, R.V., Li, C., de Sena Oliveira, M.C., Porto-Neto, L.R., Carvalheiro, R., de Oliveira, H.N., Tonhati, H., Albuquerque, L.G. (2020). Uncovering Sub-Structure and Genomic Profiles in Across-Countries Subpopulations of Angus Cattle. Scientific Reports, [online] 10(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65565-1

    2020 - View publication details

  3. Mukiibi, R., Johnston, D., Vinsky, M., Fitzsimmons, C., Stothard, P., Waters, S.M., Li, C. (2020). Bovine hepatic miRNAome profiling and differential miRNA expression analyses between beef steers with divergent feed efficiency phenotypes. Scientific Reports, [online] 10(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73885-5

    2020 - View publication details

  4. Lei, H., Valente, T.S., Zhang, C., Das, C., Wismer, W.V., Wang, Z., Li, C., Kemp, R.A., Charagu, P., Plastow, G.S., Bruce, H.L. (2020). Genetic parameter estimation for sensory traits in longissimus muscle and their association with pH and intramuscular fat in pork chops. Livestock Science, [online] 238 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104080

    2020 - View publication details

  5. Olson, C.A., Li, C., Block, H., McKeown, L., Basarab, J.A. (2020). Phenotypic and genetic correlations between feeding behaviours and feed efficiency in crossbred beef replacement females. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 100(4), 781-785. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/CJAS-2019-0212

    2020 - View publication details

  6. Li, F., Li, C., Chen, Y., Liu, J., Zhang, C., Irving, B., Fitzsimmons, C., Plastow, G., Guan, L.L. (2019). Host genetics influence the rumen microbiota and heritable rumen microbial features associate with feed efficiency in cattle. Microbiome, [online] 7(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40168-019-0699-1

    2019 - View publication details

  7. Akanno, E.C., Ekine-Dzivenu, C., Chen, L., Vinsky, M., Abo-Ismail, M.K., Macneil, M.D., Plastow, G., Basarab, J., Li, C., Fitzsimmons, C. (2019). Evaluation of a genomic-enhanced sorting system for feeder cattle. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 97(3), 1066-1075. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz026

    2019 - View publication details

  8. Johnson, C., Fitzsimmons, C., Colazo, M., Li, C., Kastelic, J., Thundathil, J. (2019). Impacts of residual feed intake and pre-natal diet on reproductive potential of bulls. Animal Production Science, [online] 59(10), 1827-1836. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AN18301

    2019 - View publication details

  9. Mukiibi, R., Vinsky, M., Keogh, K.A., Fitzsimmons, C., Stothard, P., Waters, S.M., Li, C. (2018). Transcriptome analyses reveal reduced hepatic lipid synthesis and accumulation in more feed efficient beef cattle, 8(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-25605-3

    2018 - View publication details

  10. Akanno, E.C., Chen, L., Abo-Ismail, M.K., Crowley, J.J., Wang, Z., Li, C., Basarab, J.A., MacNeil, M.D., Plastow, G.S. (2018). Genome-wide association scan for heterotic quantitative trait loci in multi-breed and crossbred beef cattle 06 Biological Sciences 0604 Genetics. Genetics Selection Evolution, [online] 50(1), http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12711-018-0405-y

    2018 - View publication details

  11. Difford, G.F., Plichta, D.R., Løvendahl, P., Lassen, J., Noel, S.J., Højberg, O., Wright, A.-D.G., Zhu, Z., Kristensen, L., Nielsen, H.B., Guldbrandtsen, B., Sahana, G. (2018). Host genetics and the rumen microbiome jointly associate with methane emissions in dairy cows, 14(10), http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1007580

    2018 - View publication details

  12. Zheng, W., Leng, X., Vinsky, M., Li, C., Jiang, H. (2018). Association of body weight gain with muscle, fat, and liver expression levels of growth hormone receptor, insulin-like growth factor I, and beta-adrenergic receptor mRNAs in steers. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, [online] 64 31-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.03.008

    2018 - View publication details

  13. Akanno, E.C., Abo-Ismail, M.K., Chen, L., Crowley, J.J., Wang, Z., Li, C., Basarab, J.A., MacNeil, M.D., Plastow, G.S. (2018). Modeling heterotic effects in beef cattle using genome-wide SNP-marker genotypes. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 96(3), 830-845. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skx002

    2018 - View publication details

  14. Transcriptome analyses of liver tissue in Charolais beef cattle with divergent marbling phenotypes

    2018 - View publication details

  15. Ekine-Dzivenu C, Akanno EC, Chen L, McKeown L, Irving B, Baker L, Vinsky M, Miller S, Wang Z, Crowley J, Colazo M, Ambrose D, Juarez M, Bruce H, MacNeil MD, Plastow G, Basarab J, Li C, & Fitzsimmons C. (2018) Improvement of cow feed efficiency using molecular breeding values for residual feed intake - The “Kinsella Breeding Project”. In: Proceedings of the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. vol. Electronic Poster Session - Genetic Gain - Breeding Strategies 2: 809.

    2018 - View publication details

  16. Lei, H., Zhang, C., Li, C., Plastow, G.S., Bruce, H.L. (2018). Efficacy of genetic parameter estimation of pork loin quality of crossbred commercial pigs using technological quality measurements of frozen and unfrozen product. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 98(3), 453-462. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2017-0154

    2018 - View publication details

  17. Ekine-Dzivenu, C., Vinsky, M., Basarab, J.A., Aalhus, J.L., Dugan, M.E.R., Li, C. (2017). Phenotypic and genetic correlations of fatty acid composition in subcutaneous adipose tissue with carcass merit and meat tenderness traits in Canadian beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 95(12), 5184-5196. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas2017.1966

    2017 - View publication details

  18. Akanno, E.C., Chen, L., Abo-Ismail, M.K., Crowley, J.J., Wang, Z., Li, C., Basarab, J.A., Macneil, M.D., Plastow, G. (2017). Genomic prediction of breed composition and heterosis effects in angus, charolais, and hereford crosses using 50k genotypes. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, [online] 97(3), 431-438. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2016-0124

    2017 - View publication details

  19. Buzanskas, M.E., Ventura, R.V., Chud, T.C.S., Bernardes, P.A., De Abreu Santos, D.J., De Almeida Regitano, L.C., De Alencar, M.M., De Alvarenga Mudadu, M., Zanella, R., Da Silva, M.V.G.B., Li, C., Schenkel, F.S., Munari, D.P. (2017). Study on the introgression of beef breeds in Canchim cattle using single nucleotide polymorphism markers. PLoS ONE, [online] 12(2), http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171660

    2017 - View publication details

  20. Zhang, F., Ekine-Dzivenu, C., Vinsky, M., Basarab, J.A., Aalhus, J.L., Dugan, M.E.R., Li, C. (2017). Phenotypic and genetic relationships of residual feed intake measures and their component traits with fatty acid composition in subcutaneous adipose of beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 95(7), 2813-2824. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas2017.1451

    2017 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Lacombe Research and Development Centre
6000 C and E Trail
Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Genomics›Beef

Affiliations

Adjunct Professor, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta.

Language

English