• 2009 – 2012 Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Drew University
  
  
• 2006 – 2009 IRACDA/TEACRS Postdocotral Fellow, Molecular Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine
  
  
• 2006 Ph.D., Organic Chemistry, Harvard University
  
  
• 2000 B.A. with High Honors, Biochemistry, Swarthmore College

Prof. Jane M. Liu's CV

• Prof. Liu was recently featured in Chemistry and Engineering News -- check it out!
  
  
• Don't miss the Liu Lab Blog!

• FALL 2011: CHEM 117, Biochemistry I
  
  
• FALL 2011: HONORS 12, RISE Science Seminar
  
  
• SPRING 2012: CHEM 121, Chemical Biology

My research group is interested in studying RNA as genetic regulatory elements and applying RNA as a tool for studying chemistry and biology.

If you are interested in doing research at the interface of chemistry and biology, please contact Prof. Liu.

Why RNA?
The central dogma of molecular biology describes a scheme in which DNA, containing heritable genetic information, directs the translation of proteins through RNA.  According to this framework, which serves as a cornerstone of many biochemistry and molecular biology courses, RNA is a transient species that serves as a mere messenger.  Thus, the study of RNA has historically been limited to its supporting role (as mRNA, tRNA, rRNA) when DNA is translated into protein.  Research advances in the past few decades, however, have uncovered catalytic RNAs, molecules that behave like protein enzymes, and small, regulatory RNAs that directly silence gene expression through a process called RNA interference (RNAi).  These discoveries indicate that DNA and proteins may actually represent evolutionary descendents of an "RNA world".  New roles for RNA are frequently being uncovered, many with implications in human health.  It is now evident that the study of RNA is applicable to many scientific fields including microbial pathogenesis, biochemical technology, cancer research, and evolutionary chemistry and biology.

Click here to find out more about the Liu Group's research interests.