Basic Science Co-Director
James & Jean Culver Vision Discovery Institute
Office: Carl T. Sanders Research and Education Building, CB1123
Phone: 706-721-2015
Lab: 706-721-4843
yutliu@augusta.edu
EducationSelected Honors & AwardsResearch Goals & ApproachesMembersPublications & News/Media
1990-1995 MD Beijing Medical University, Beijing, China
1999-2001 MS Truman State University, Kirksville, MO, USA
2001-2006 PhD University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
2006-2010 Postdoctoral Associate, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC, USA
The Thomas R. Lee Award for National Glaucoma Research, American Health Assistance Foundation, Clarksburg, MA
Annual Educator Award, Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine
The long term goal of our laboratory is to dissect age-related genetic diseases (glaucoma and keratoconus) using systematic approaches, including human genetics/epigenetics, functional genomics, and molecular/cellular biology. Our lab has extensive research experience in the area of human genetics, bioinformatics, and functional genomics using several model systems, including human samples, in vitro cell/tissue culture and mouse models. Our research has been published in over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including Nature Genetics, PLoS Genetics, AJHG, PNAS, HMG, IOVS, EER, and Molecular Vision. Our research has been supported by a variety of different organizations, including the National Eye Institute at the National Institute of Health, several private foundations (The Glaucoma Foundation - TGF, the Glaucoma Research Foundation – GRF, the American Health Assistance Foundation – AHAF or BrightFocus, and RPB), and institutional supports.
Our current research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of two vision-related disorders: keratoconus (KC) and glaucoma. KC, a progressive thinning of the cornea, is the most common corneal ectasia, affecting one in every 500 to 2000 Americans. KC causes moderate to severe astigmatism, nearsightedness, swelling and cornea scarring. It is necessary for 10-20% KC patients to have cornea transplants. Using whole exome and whole genome sequencing, we have identified novel mutations in multiplex KC families. We are characterizing these mutations using primary human corneal cells and transgenic mouse models. We have research collaborations with investigators from California, Iowa, Illinois, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Duke University in North Carolina. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting over 60 million people. It is characterized as a progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells and visual field.
Dr. Liu is a Co-Investigator of the NEIGHBORHOOD glaucoma genetics consortium.
Our lab has been involved in the identification of several glaucoma-associated genes, including but not limited to LOXL1, CDKN2B-AS1, SIX6, GALC, and chr8q22 locus. We are currently using primary human trabecular meshwork cells and other cells under cyclic mechanical stretch to determine their cellular functions in glaucoma. We are also interested in characterizing how the exosomes and its content – miRNA/proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma and keratoconus. We have extensive experience in working with exosomes with > 30 peer-reviewed publications since 2013. Our team is highly motivated, cordial, collaborative, and trainee-friendly.
Approaches
We are using a number of advanced cutting-edge technologies, including whole exome/genome sequencing, Total RNA-Seq, small RNA-Seq, genome-wide DNA genotyping/gene expression, realtime PCR, droplet digital PCR, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) with ZetaView for exosomes and other nanoparticles. Bioinformatics is an important part of our research. We use a number of different bioinformatics tools in our daily research. We also use available mouse models to study both glaucoma and keratoconus by characterizing their ocular phenotypes.
For a detailed list of recent publications, please refer to NCBI My Bibliography
*** Please note that some of the listed publications were included as the NEI P30-supported studies but not as a co-author since Dr. Liu is the PI of the P30 grant. These should be treated as P30-supported publications ONLY.
