A YNU research team studying animal genetics and molecular evolution is honored as an outstanding innovative research team by Yunnan technological authority. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

A research team from Yunnan University (YNU) which has been studying animal genetics and molecular evolution was recently recognized for its outstanding work, according to assessments published by Yunnan provincial technological authority.

Led by Yu Li, a professor of animal genetics studies at YNU, the team conducted research on genetic diversity, as well as molecular evolution in endangered wild animals and domesticated animals in southwestern areas of China, from 2014 to 2017.

During their research, they published 53 papers in several prestigious journals including Nature Genetics, Cell Research, PNAS, Nucleic Acids Research, and Molecular Biology and Evolution, with all their papers included on the Science Citation Index (SCI).

The team registered intellectual property rights for four research findings, and their work won several awards at national and provincial levels.

The leader of the team, Professor Yu was official recognized as a “Yunling Scholar” by the Yunnan authorities, and nine members of his research team were invited to join various talent programs.

The team also helped develop four doctoral candidates and 26 postgraduate students, many of whom won national and provincial scholarships.

In the future, the team aims to continue its research and explore the genetic diversity and evolution of animals from a wider perspective of heredity, evolution and ecology.