Member Spotlight: Shawn Liu, PhD

Shawn Liu, PhD, joined Columbia University as assistant professor of physiology and cellular biophysics in January, and is a member of the Cancer Genomics and Epigenomics research program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC). The Liu lab studies the role of epigenome in normal physiology and human diseases and works to apply the epigenome editing technology developed in their lab to dissect the functional contribution of epigenetic mechanism during the progression of cancer.

Dr. Liu joins the HICCC from the Whitehead Institute at MIT. Here, we learn more about Dr. Liu and some of his research activities at Columbia.

Tell us about your research.

We are interested in understanding how our genome integrates extrinsic signals, a fundamental mechanism named epigenetics, including a multitude of chemical modifications and physical properties of the genome that control the functions of the genome. Our laboratory aims to decode the epigenome in physiology and diseases. We combine molecular tool development with genetic and genomic approaches to explore epigenetic mechanisms underlying normal physiological functions, and to uncover the epigenetic basis of diseases to accelerate the development of therapeutics. We mainly use human ESC- or iPSC-based systems and genetically engineered mouse models to tackle these questions.

What is your lab currently working on?

We’re focusing on three research directions. 1) Expansion of the epigenome editing toolbox that enables us to edit DNA methylation and histone modifications and manipulate DNA looping in cells and in vivo. 2) Explore the role of DNA methylation in memory function using transgenic mouse models. 3) Application of epigenome editing tools to study the aberrant epigenetic events associated with human disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, posttraumatic disorder, and cancers.

What motivates your research?

We are driven by the curiosity to understand how the epigenome functions at the cellular and organism levels and the to-be-gained capacity to manipulate the epigenome towards human benefit owing to a deeper understanding of epigenetic mechanisms.

When and how did you get interested in cancer?

I was intrigued by cancer research when I observed the different sensitivities of normal cells vs. cancer cells to the inhibition of a cell cycle regulator (Polo-like kinase 1) during my PhD study. Then I was lucky to be supported by a Damon Runyon Cancer Research Fellowship during my postdoctoral training at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research-MIT. I generated a series of molecular tools that enable precise editing of DNA methylation, a critical epigenetic modification often altered during cancer progress.

How do you see your work having an impact?

One of our research directions is to develop epigenome editing tools allowing for precisely editing the epigenome in term of DNA methylation, histone modification, and DNA looping. These tools will be valuable to investigate the functional significance of specific epigenetic events during normal physiology and diseases such as cancers.

What drew you to Columbia and to the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center?

Columbia is one of the top research universities world-wide. When I visited Columbia last year, I was deeply impressed by the innovative research and collegial environment. HICCC represents the most innovative and collaborative research center to conquer cancer, and I am eager to team with other members to study the contribution of epigenetics in cancers.

How has your lab dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic?

During this difficult time, we hold regular lab meetings every week to catch up and make sure everybody is doing okay. Not too much research can be done as most of our work is wet lab work. However, we did take advantage of working from home to analyze previously accumulated sequencing data, and we’ve also been holding weekly journal club to discuss the recent progress in epigenetics. Now, we are planning to go back to the bench and we are all very excited to start conducting experiments again!