Leo Liu
Assistant Professor
ACCEPTING GRADUATE STUDENTS
Leo Liu completed his postgraduate studies at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) of the University of Saskatchewan. His Ph.D. research with Dr. Yan Zhou spearheaded the discovery of the influenza A viral RNA repertoire activating the innate RNA sensor RIG-I, and it also refined the spatial and temporal organization of the RIG-I signalling for sensing nuclear-replicating viruses. He then pursued postdoctoral training with Dr. Michaela Gack at the University of Chicago and then at the Cleveland Clinic, where he studied innate immune regulatory mechanisms and viral strategies of immune evasion, emphasizing the innate RNA sensor MDA5 and SARS-CoV-2.
Cleveland Clinic Postdoctoral Leadership & Service Award (2023)
Pfizer Junior Investigator Award, International Cytokine & Interferon Society (2021)
My laboratory is interested in understanding the fundamental innate immune sensing mechanisms and their interplay with viral pathogens. We use RIG-I-like receptors and respiratory RNA viruses, particularly influenza A virus and coronaviruses, as models to discover new players in pattern recognition and regulation of antiviral innate immunity. We leverage state-of-the-art experimental approaches that combine genome-wide phenotypic screens, reverse genetics, and animal models to dissect the host-virus interface at a molecular level. Our ultimate goal is to achieve bench-to-bedside translation of innovative antiviral therapies and vaccines.
Liu, G.*, & Gack, M. U.* (2023). An optimized circular polymerase extension reaction-based method for functional analysis of SARS-CoV-2. Virology Journal, 20(1), 1-9. *Co-corresponding author
Sarkar, L.†, Liu, G.†, & Gack, M. U. (2023). ISG15: its roles in SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections. Trends in Microbiology, 31(12):1262-1275. (†equal contribution) (Review)
Chen, D. Y.†, Chin, C. V.†, Kenney, D., Tavares, A. H., Khan, N., Conway, H. L., Liu, G., ... & Saeed, M. (2023). Spike and nsp6 are key determinants of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA. 1 attenuation. Nature, 615(7950), 143-150.
Liu, G., & Gack, M. U. (2022). Insights into pandemic respiratory viruses: manipulation of the antiviral interferon response by SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus. Current Opinion in Immunology, 102252. (Review)
Acharya, D., Reis, R.†, Volcic, M.†, Liu, G., Wang, M. K., Chia, B. S., ... & Gack, M. U. (2022). Actin cytoskeleton remodeling primes RIG-I-like receptor activation. Cell, 185(19), 3588-3602.
Liu, G.†, Lee, J. H.†, Parker, Z. M., Acharya, D., Chiang, J. J., van Gent, M., ... & Gack, M. U. (2021). ISG15-dependent activation of the sensor MDA5 is antagonized by the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease to evade host innate immunity. Nature microbiology, 6(4), 467-478. (†equal contribution)
Liu, G., & Gack, M. U. (2020). Distinct and orchestrated functions of RNA sensors in innate immunity. Immunity, 53(1), 26-42. (Review)
Liu, G., & Zhou, Y. (2019). Cytoplasm and beyond: dynamic innate immune sensing of influenza A virus by RIG-I. Journal of Virology, 93(8), 10-1128. (Gem review)
Liu, G., Lu, Y., Liu, Q., & Zhou, Y. (2019). Inhibition of ongoing influenza A virus replication reveals different mechanisms of RIG-I activation. Journal of virology, 93(6), 10-1128.
Liu, G., Lu, Y., Thulasi Raman, S. N., Xu, F., Wu, Q., Li, Z., ... & Zhou, Y. (2018). Nuclear-resident RIG-I senses viral replication inducing antiviral immunity. Nature Communications, 9(1), 3199.
Liu, G., Park, H. S., Pyo, H. M., Liu, Q., & Zhou, Y. (2015). Influenza A virus panhandle structure is directly involved in RIG-I activation and interferon induction. Journal of virology, 89(11), 6067-6079.