Yusen Liu, PhD

• Center for Perinatal Research
  Principal Investigator
• Neonatology
  Principal Investigator
• Neonatology Fellowship
  Faculty
• Primary Department
  Center for Perinatal Research

The Liu laboratory is interested in the regulatory mechanisms that control the innate immunity against microbial infections. Currently, they are mainly carrying out research in two areas. First, they are studying the signaling pathways that regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines. They have found that MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 plays a pivotal role in the restraint of the inflammatory responses in innate immune cells-by dephosphorylating p38 and JNK, MKP-1 deactivates the stress-activated MAP kinases and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. They hypothesize that defects in MKP-1 gene may sensitize host to inflammatory diseases. Currently, animal models are developed to test this hypothesis using genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology techniques. Another research project in the laboratory is to understand the role of Redox regulation during immune defense against bacterial and fungal infections. They have found that enzymes responsible for the generation of reduced glutathione are essential for an effective immune defense against both bacterial and fungal pathogens. The long term goals of these research projects are to understand the regulation of inflammation and the critical regulatory mechanisms critical for pathogen elimination. The ultimate goal is to develop novel treatments for inflammatory diseases and to prevent pathogen infections.

• View My Publications

Publications

2010 - Present Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Professor of Pediatrics

2003 - Present The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Principal Investigator

2006 - 2010 Center for Perinatal Research, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Associate Professor

2003 - 2006 Center for Developmental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Children's Research Institute, Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Assistant Professor

1996 - 2003 Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Tenure-track Investigator

1995 - 1996 Laboratory of Cellular and Molecula Biology, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Visiting Associate

1992 - 1995 Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Visiting Fellow

1991 - 1992 Department of Fermentation Technology, Hiroshima University, Assistant Professor

1986 - 1987 Department of Chemical Engineering, Dalian Institute of Technology, Research Associate

Center for Perinatal Research