Overview
Dr. Liu's research interest is to identify genetic risk factors related to age-related complex human diseases, including but not limited to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), keratoconus, exfoliation glaucoma (XFG), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease), and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Dr. Liu is also interested in the role of genomic structural variation (i.e., DNA copy number variants) in human disease. He was funded by the Duke Translational Medicine Institute and Glaucoma Research Foundation to study the effects of DNA copy number variants (CNV) in glaucoma. This research is currently funded by American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF). The research for exfoliation glaucoma is currently supported by The Glaucoma Foundation (TGF). He is currently characterizing genetic risk variants identified through large scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using bioinformatics, molecular genetics, and animal models. He is also interested in applying next-generation sequencing, such as exome sequencing, to identify genetic mutations in multiplex families affected by ocular disorders, such as keratoconus.
Dr. Liu is also the Director of Duke Molecular Genomics Core (MGC) lab(http://wwwchg.duhs.duke.edu/research/molecular.html). The MGC is a state-of-the-art facility that offers a variety of experimental platforms to facilitate genomics research, including but not limited to gene expression profiling for mRNA and microRNA, DNA genotyping, next generation DNA/RNA sequencing, and DNA methylation profiling. For more information, please visit the MGC website (http://wwwchg.duhs.duke.edu/research/molecular.html).
Dr. Liu is also the Director of Duke Molecular Genomics Core (MGC) lab(http://wwwchg.duhs.duke.edu/research/molecular.html). The MGC is a state-of-the-art facility that offers a variety of experimental platforms to facilitate genomics research, including but not limited to gene expression profiling for mRNA and microRNA, DNA genotyping, next generation DNA/RNA sequencing, and DNA methylation profiling. For more information, please visit the MGC website (http://wwwchg.duhs.duke.edu/research/molecular.html).
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine
·
2014 - Present
Medicine, Medical Genetics,
Medicine
Recent Publications
An In Vitro Bovine Cellular Model for Human Schlemm's Canal Endothelial Cells and Their Response to TGFβ Treatment.
Journal Article Transl Vis Sci Technol · June 2020 PURPOSE: Due to the limited availability of primary human Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelial cells, we aimed to develop an in vitro cellular model using the angular aqueous plexus (AAP) cells from bovine eyes. METHODS: We harvested a mixture of cells from th ... Full text Open Access Link to item CiteDifferential DNA methylation patterns in human Schlemm's canal endothelial cells with glaucoma.
Journal Article Mol Vis · 2020 PURPOSE: Schlemm's canal (SC) endothelial cells derived from donors with or without glaucoma showed different mechanical properties and gene expression. As an important contributor to the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and pathogenesis of primary ... Link to item CitePPIP5K2 and PCSK1 are Candidate Genetic Contributors to Familial Keratoconus.
Journal Article Sci Rep · December 18, 2019 Keratoconus (KC) is the most common corneal ectatic disorder affecting >300,000 people in the US. KC normally has its onset in adolescence, progressively worsening through the third to fourth decades of life. KC patients report significant impaired vision- ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Roles of Regulatory Variants for LOXL1 in Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma: Year 2
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by The Glaucoma Foundation · 2010 - 2015Exosomal RNAs and Aqueous Humor Dynamics in Exfoliation Glaucoma
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Glaucoma Research Foundation · 2014 - 2014IPA - Yutao Liu
ResearchStatistician · Awarded by Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center · 2012 - 2014View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Tennessee, Knoxville ·
2006
Ph.D.