The University of Michigan School of Dentistry
Research in our laboratory is focused on understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate physiological and pathological bone metabolism, skeletal and craniofacial bone development and diseases. In particular, we are interested in the following lines of research:
Autophagy is a conserved lysosomal degradation pathway that is regulated by particular autophagy genes such as fip200 (FAK-family Interacting Protein of 200 kDa) and atg5 (autophagy-related 5). Mounting evidence supports the vital role of autophagy in bone health. Our previous work showed that ablation of either fip200 or atg5 in osteoblasts leads to osteopenia in mice. However, the molecular mechanisms by which autophagy regulates osteoblast bone formation are primarily unclear, creating a significant knowledge gap in understanding autophagy dysfunction-related bone diseases. Moreover, additional significant gaps lie in the need to understand the autophagy-specific contribution to bone health, mainly because autophagy genes have autophagy-independent functions. Our current effort is to determine the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways by which autophagy regulates osteoblast metabolic wiring, function, and lineage commitment using a combination of molecular, cell biological and mouse genetic approaches.
Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is a genetic disorder characterized by the presence of benign congenital tumors in multiple organs and is caused by mutations in one of two genes, called TSC1 and TSC2. Tuberous sclerosing bone dysplasia is characterized by osteosclerotic changes in skeletal and craniofacial bones. In this disease, hyperactivity of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling is implicated. Despite the high frequency of osseous manifestation (>66%) in TSC patients, it is unknown to what extent and how mTOR signaling regulates bone metabolism in vivo. We established the first craniofacial sclerotic bone lesion mouse model of Tuberous sclerosis and found that enhanced mTOR signaling in neural crest-derived cells can increase bone mass through enlargement of the osteoprogenitor pool, which likely explains the sclerotic bone lesion observed in Tuberous sclerosis patients. We are currently using various genetic mouse models to elucidate the mechanisms by which mTOR signaling regulates skeletal and craniofacial bone development.
Contact
[email protected] | | 734-936-0911
Dr. Liu earned his BS, MS, and DDS degrees from the West China School of Stomatology at Sichuan University. He went on to complete his PhD in the Skeletal, Craniofacial, and Oral Biology Program and received a specialty certificate in Prosthodontics from the University of Connecticut Health Center. Following this, Dr. Liu pursued postdoctoral training in cell and molecular biology at the University of Michigan.
Dr. Liu is currently the Associate Chair of Prosthodontics and a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. He is a fellow of both the American College of Prosthodontists and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Additionally, he holds memberships in several other professional organizations, including the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, the American Dental Education Association, and the International Association for Dental Research. Dr. Liu has previously served as the Chair of the Tylman Research Committee and Board Director of the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics. He currently serves as the Chair of the Credentials Committee for the Academy.
Dr. Liu teaches both dental students and Prosthodontic residents while providing care for Prosthodontic patients. In addition to his teaching and service responsibilities, Dr. Liu leads a research program that investigates the cell and molecular biology of mineralized tissues, with a particular focus on skeletal and craniofacial bone development, metabolism, and diseases.
Dr. Liu's contributions to the scientific community are further demonstrated by his service as an NIH grant reviewer and a reviewer for over 20 journals, including Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Bone, Bone Research, Autophagy, Journal of Dental Research, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, and Journal of Prosthodontics.
2023-present | Associate Chair of Prosthodontics, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
2022-2023 | Interim Chair, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
2021-2024 | Interim Program Director, Graduate Prosthodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
2020-2022 | Associate Chair of Prosthodontics, Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
2018-2021 | Member, Executive Committee, University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
2018-2022 | Chair, PhD admission Committee, Oral Health Science Program, University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
2016-present | Member, PhD candidate Preliminary Exam Committee, University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
2012-2018 | Member, Research Committee, University of Michigan School of Dentistry |
2024-present | Chair, Credentials Committee of American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics |
2024 | Member, International Travel Award Review Committee, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research |
2022 | Member, URM Mentorship review committee, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research |
2021-present | Member, DEI committee, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research |
2020-present | Member, American Dental Education Association |
2018-present | Member, program committee, International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society |
2017- 2020 | Board Director, American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics |
2013-2018 | Chair, Tylman Research Committee of American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics |
2012-present | Member, International Association of Dental Research |
2012-2015 | Member, Constitution Committee, American Association of Dental Research |
2012-present | Member, American Association of Dental Research |
2012-2014 | Chair, Scientific Research Committee of American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics |
2012-present | Member, Research Committee, American College of Prosthodontists |
2012-2015 | Member, Constitution Committee, American Association of Dental Research |
2010-present | Fellow, American College of Prosthodontists |
2009-present | Member, International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (Lifetime member from 2017) |
2008-2013 | Member, Tylman Research Committee of American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics |
2007-present | Member, American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics |
2004-present | Member, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research |
2021 | Fellow, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research |
2010 | Fellow, American College of Prosthodontists |
2004 | First place of Remo Sinibaldi Memorial Table Clinic Competition, American College of Prosthodontics |
2004 | ASBMR Young Investigator Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research |
2004 | Young Investigator Award, Advances in Skeletal Anabolic Agents for the Treatment of Osteoporosis (American Society for Bone and Mineral Research) |
1998 | First place of DENTSPLY dental graduate student scholarship, West China University of Medical Sciences (Si Chuan University) |
1997 | First place of Xuan Rui Ling dental graduate student scholarship, West China University of Medical Sciences (Si Chuan University) |
Travel Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Dr. Fang Fang (post-doc fellow)
Travel Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Dr. Li Wang (post-doc fellow)
1. ASBMR Young Investigator Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Dr. Xiaoxi Wei (PhD student)
2. Plenary oral presentation and ASBMR Young Investigator Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Dr. Chunhui Sun (visiting scholar)
1. AADR student research fellowship to Neil Thomas (DDS candidate)
2. Travel Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Dr. Han Kyoung Choi (post-doc fellow)
1. Janice E. Berry Prize for Excellence in Research to Dr. Xiaoxi Wei (visiting scientist)
2. 2nd place in Basic Science Research, University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day to Dr. Yuanlynn Hsieh (MS student)
3. Travel Award at second annual musculoskeletal symposium from Michigan Integrative Musculoskeletal Health Core Center to Dr. Jinfeng Yao (visiting scholar)
1. 1st place in Basic Science Research, University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day to Dr. Yuanlynn Hsieh (MS student)
2. 1st place in Visiting Scholar Research to Dr. Xiaoxi Wei at University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day (visiting scholar)
3. 2nd place in Visiting Scholar Research to Dr. Bei Yin at University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day (visiting scholar)
4. 3rd place in Visiting Scholar Research to Dr. Shuqun Qi at University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day (visiting scholar in Dr. Liu’s lab)
5. 3rd place in basic science research at University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day to Dr. Han Kyoung Choi (research fellow)
6. Delta dental fellowship award to 2019 dental student graduates at University of Michigan School of Dentistry to Neil Thomas (DDS research pathway student)
7. Young Investigator Travel Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Shuqun Qi (PhD student)
8. Young Investigator Travel Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Dr. Han Kyoung Choi (post-doc fellow)
1. 2nd place in Basic Science Research, University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day to Di Xie (U of M undergraduate student, 2024 DDS class)
2. 2nd place in Visiting Scholar Research to Dr. Shuqun Qi at University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day (visiting PhD student)
3. 3rd place in Visiting Scholar Research to Dr. Yating Wang at University of Michigan School of Dentistry Annual Research Day (visiting scholar)
4. ASBMR Young Investigator Award from American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Shuqun Qi (PhD student)
1. Outstanding PhD thesis award from Stomatological Association of SiChuan to Shuqun Qi (PhD student)
2. ASBMR Young Investigator Award for ECTS Digital Masterclass, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research to Shuqun Qi (post-doc fellow)
1. Finalist of 6th annual Michigan Musculoskeletal Health Center Symposium Travel Award Competition (Shuqun Qi, post-doc)
1. Travel Award at the 7th annual musculoskeletal symposium from Michigan Integrative Musculoskeletal Health Core Center to Dr. Danielle Moon (U of M undergraduate student)
1. Honors thesis, Danielle Moon (U of M undergraduate student, Bachelor of Sciences in Biology)