Yan Xu

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Department of Geosciences
158 Guyot Hall
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544

Phone: (609) 258-1052
Fax: (609) 258-5242
E-Mail:

Morel Lab Page

PDF of CV (click here)

Research interest

I am interested in the biogeochemical cycling of trace metals in the ocean, especially in how phytoplankton affect metal distributions in surface water through biological processes. My current research is focusing on how the availability of trace metals such as Zn, Cd and Co affects the expression of metalloenzymes which are essential for nutrient acquisition and thus the physiology of phytoplankton. In particular, I have identified and characterized an alkaline phosphatase (EHAP1) in the coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi. AP catalyzes the hydrolysis of organic P compounds and thus is important for P acquisition under P limitation. Currently, I am studying the genetic diversity and expression regulation of ehap1 gene in different E. huxleyi strains and the biochemistry of this enzyme. In parallel, I have characterized biochemically the cadmium carbonic anhydrase (CDCA1) in the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. CA catalyzes the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide and is a key enzyme in carbon concentrating mechanism in phytoplankton. It is a cambilistic enzyme that can use either Cd or Zn as the metal center. Currently, I am studying how T. weissflogii regulates the use of metal in CDCA1.

Curriculum Vitae

Yan Xu

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Department of Geosciences

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ 08544-1003

Telephone: (609)-258-1052 Email: yxu@princton.edu

Education

Ph.D. Ecology and evolutionary biology, Princeton University, 2002-2008

MPhil, Biology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, 1999-2001

B.Sc. Biology, Nanjing University, China, 1995-1999

Professional Positions

• Teaching assistant, EEB211: The biology of organisms, Princeton University, Fall 2005
• Teaching assistant, EEBTUT: biostatistics, Princeton University, Fall 2003
• Teaching Assistant, BIOL 202: Animal Physiology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Spring 2000

Awards & Achievements

• Student travel award, ASLO annual meeting, Canada, 2006
• The outstanding student poster award, ASLO annual meeting, Denmark, 2000
• Renming scholarship, Nanjing University, 1996 - 1998
• The outstanding student scholarship, Nanjing University, 1995

Publications

1. Xu, Y.*, L. Feng*, P. D. Jeffrey*, Y. Shi and F. M. M. Morel. 2008. Structure and metal exchange in the cadmium-carbonic anhydrase of marine diatoms. Nature 452: 56-61 (The asterisk indicates equal contributions.)

2. Xu, Y., D.-G. Tang, Y. Shaked and F. M. M. Morel. 2007. Zinc, cadmium and cobalt inter-replacement and relative use efficiencies in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Limnology and Oceanography 52: 2294-2305

3. Xu, Y., T. M. Wahlund, L. Feng, Y. Shaked and F. M. M. Morel. 2006. A novel alkaline phosphatase in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (Prymnesiophyceae) and its regulation by phosphorus. Journal of Phycology 42: 835-844

4. Shaked, Y., Y. Xu, K. Leblanc, and F. M. M. Morel. 2005. Zinc availability and alkaline phosphatase activity in Emiliania huxleyi: Implications for Zn-P co-limitation in the ocean. Limnology and Oceanography 51: 299-309

5. Xu, Y., and W. X. Wang. 2004. Silver uptake by a marine diatom and its transfer to coastal copepod Acartia spinicauda. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 23:682-690.

6. Xu, Y., and W. X. Wang. 2003. Fates of diatom carbon and trace elements by the grazing of a marine copepod. Marine Ecology Progress Series 254:225-238.

7. Xu, Y. and W.-X. Wang. 2002. Exposure and potential food chain transfer factor of Cd, Se and Zn in marine fish Lutjanus argentimaculatus. Marine Ecology Progress Series 238: 173-186

8. Xu, Y. and W.-X. Wang. 2002. The assimilation of detritus-bound metals by marine copepod Acartia spinicauda. Limnology and Oceanography 47: 604-610

9. Wang, W.-X., Q.L. Yan, W.H. Fan, Y. Xu. 2002. Bioavailability of sedimentary metals from a contaminated bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series 240: 27-38

10. Xu, Y. and W.-X. Wang. 2001. Individual responses of trace-element assimilation and physiological turnover by the marine copepod Calanus sinicus to changes in food quantity. Marine Ecology Progress Series 218: 227-238

11. Xu, Y., W.-X. Wang and D.P.H Hsieh. 2001. Influences of metal concentration in phytoplankton and seawater on metal assimilation and elimination in marine copepods. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 20: 1067-1077

12. Wang, W.-X., R.C.H. Dei, Y. Xu. 2001. Responses of Zn assimilation by coastal plankton to macronutrients. Limnology and Oceanography 46: 1524-1534

13. Wang, W.-X., R.C.H. Dei, Y. Xu. 2001. Cadmium uptake and trophic transfer in coastal plankton under contrasting nitrogen regimes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 211: 293-298

Presentations

1. Xu Y., J. M. Boucher, F. M. M. Morel. 2008. The genetic diversity and expression of alkaline phosphatase in Emiliania huxleyi strains. Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry Gordon Conference. Poster presentation.

2. Xu, Y., L. Feng, P. McGinn, F. M. M. Morel. 2007. Cd-carbonic anhydrase of marine diatoms. ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting. Santa Fe, NM. Oral Presentation.

3. Xu, Y., Y. Shaked, D.-G.Tang, F. M. M. Morel. 2006. Inter-replacement of Zn, Cd and Co in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. ASLO summer meeting. Victoria, Canada. Oral Presentation.

4. Xu, Y., T. M. Wahlund, L. Feng, Y. Shaked and F. M. M. Morel. 2006. A novel alkaline phosphatase in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Ocean Science meeting. Hawaii. Poster presentation.

5. Xu, Y., Y. Shaked, D.-G.Tang, F. M. M. Morel. 2005. Physiological effects of Zn, Cd and Co in Emiliania huxleyi. American Chemical Society Geochemical Division. San Diego. Oral Presentation.

6. Xu, Y., W.-X. Wang, D.P.H. Hsieh. 2000. Influences of metal concentration on metal assimilation and regeneration in marine copepods. ASLO Annual Meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark. Poster Presentation.

7. Xu, Y. and W.-X. Wang. 2000. Assimilation of metals by marine copepod Calanus sinicus. SETAC 21st Annual Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee. Poster Presentation.

Oceanographic Cruise

1. August-September 2007 GoA, the Gulf of Alaska, RV Thomas G. Thompson

2. June-August 2003, KM0311, the North Pacific Ocean to Bering Sea, RV Kilo Moana.