Zhihui Liu, Ph.D.
- Center for Cancer Research
- National Cancer Institute
- Building 10-CRC, Room 1W-5816
- Bethesda, MD 20892-1105
- 240-858-3857
- liuzhihu@mail.nih.gov
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Dr. Liu’s research interest is in the field of cancer biology, in particular to obtain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in neuroblastoma (NB) tumorigenesis and progression. His main focus is to investigate the transcriptional dysregulation that contribute to the malignancy of NB. Through high-throughput screening of dysregulated transcription factors and epigenetic regulators in NB, Dr. Liu aims to identify novel therapeutic targets that could benefit the NB patients.
Areas of Expertise
Zhihui Liu, Ph.D.
Research
Dr. Liu’s research interest is in the field of cancer biology, in particular, to obtain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma (NB) and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). His studies focus on the transcriptional dysregulation occur in these cancers. Dr. Liu identified that the zinc finger transcription factor CASZ1 plays an important role in inducing NB cell differentiation and suppressing NB growth. In addition to NB, Dr. Liu found that CASZ1 induces skeletal myogenesis and RMS differentiation through forming a feed-forward loop with MYOD and MYOG. Moreover, Dr. Liu is using cutting-edge techniques such as ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Hi-C and single cell RNA-seq to screen dysregulated transcription factors and epigenetic regulators that contribute to NB tumorigenesis, which could help to develop novel therapies and benefit NB patients whose disease is unresponsive to current treatments.
Publications
CASZ1 induces skeletal muscle and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma differentiation via formation of a feed-forward differentiation loop with MYOD and MYOG.
Epigenetic siRNA and chemical screens identify SETD8 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for p53 activation in high-risk neuroblastoma.
Identification of CASZ1 NES reveals potential mechanisms for loss of CASZ1 tumor suppressor activity in neuroblastoma.
Essential role of the zinc finger transcription factor Casz1 for mammalian cardiac morphogenesis and development.
CASZ1, a candidate tumor suppressor suppresses neuroblastoma tumor growth through reprogramming gene expression.
Biography
Zhihui Liu, Ph.D.
Dr. Zhihui Liu received his B.S. in biochemistry from Nanjing University. He received his Ph.D. degree from the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2004. After graduation Dr. Liu joined the Pediatric Oncology Branch of the NCI as a visiting fellow in Dr. Carol Thiele’s laboratory. He currently works with Dr. Thiele in the Pediatric Oncology Branch as an Associate Scientist.
Job Vacancies
We have no open positions in our group at this time, please check back later.
To see all available positions at CCR, take a look at our Careers page. You can also subscribe to receive CCR's latest job and training opportunities in your inbox.