Prof. Jessica Ai-jia Liu completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Engineering at East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai. She pursued a PhD degree in the Department of Surgery at the University of Hong Kong and engaged in postdoctoral training in the School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. In 2019, she was appointed as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Anaesthesiology. Prof. Liu has made significant contributions to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern nervous system development and associated disorders. Her research endeavors have been acknowledged through multiple awards, including the YS and Christabel Lung Scholarship (2015), the Outstanding Postgraduate Award (2016), the Hong Kong Young Scientist Award (2016), and the LKS Faculty Outstanding Research Output Award (2018). Her research findings have been featured in press releases at the Faculty/University levels and covered by local media. Dr. Liu joined the City University of Hong Kong in 2022.

Research Interests

One major area of our laboratory’s focus is unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain, which can arise from central or peripheral nerve injuries or diseases. To achieve this, we employ a multidisciplinary approach that combines clinical studies, stem cell biology, somatic cell reprogramming, omics-based metabolic analysis, and single-cell technologies. By leveraging these powerful tools, we aim to elucidate the intricate pain signaling pathways, identify potential therapeutic targets, and explore alternative strategies for nerve repair and regeneration.

Additionally, we actively engaged in studying the cell signaling mechanisms that determine the fate of neuronal and glial cells during PNS development. To investigate these processes, we utilize animal models such as chickens and mice, as well as organoids derived from human cells. Through these models, we aim to gain a comprehensive understanding of the functions of these signaling pathways in normal development and their relevance to human congenital disorders.

Furthermore, our research interests have expanded to include the understanding of disease mechanisms underlying the neuronal-glial interaction in congenital disorders, with a specific focus on spinal cord muscular atrophy. To achieve this, we employ a combination of patient-derived somatic cells, human pluripotent stem cells, and mouse models. By studying these disease models, we aim to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms and develop potential therapeutic interventions.

Position Available

We are currently seeking highly motivated?Postdoctoral fellows?and?PhD students?to join our team. We are specifically looking for candidates with a strong background in?Molecular biology,?Stem cell research, or?Developmental biology. If you possess relevant research experience and are passionate about advancing scientific knowledge, we encourage you to apply. To express your interest, please contact us at?[email protected].

Selected Publications (* Corresponding Author)

1. Chen YL, Feng XL, Tam KW, Fan CY, Cheung MP, Yang YT, Wong S, Shum DK, Chan YS, Cheung CW, Cheung M, Liu JA*. Intrinsic and extrinsic actions of human neural progenitors with SUFU inhibition promote tissue repair and functional recovery from severe spinal cord injury. NPJ Regen Med. Mar 22 2024;9(1):13. doi:10.1038/s41536-024-00352-4
2. Yu J, Wong S, Lin Z, Shan Z, Fan C, Xia Z, Cheung M, Zhu X, Liu JA*, Cheung CW*. High-Frequency Spinal Stimulation Suppresses Microglial Kaiso-P2X7 Receptor Axis-Induced Inflammation to Alleviate Neuropathic Pain in Rats. Ann Neurol. Mar 7 2024;doi:10.1002/ana.26898
3. Liu JA*, Tam KW, Chen YL, Feng XL, Chan CWL, Lo ALH, Wu KL, Hui MN, Wu MH, Chan KK, Cheung MPL, Cheung CW, Shum DK, Chan YS and Cheung M. Transplanting human neural stem cells with approximately 50% reduction of SOX9 gene dosage promotes tissue repair and functional recovery from severe spinal cord injury. Adv Sci (Weinh). Jun 9 2023:e2205804.
4. Fan T, Yu Y, Chen YL, Gu P, Wong S, Xia ZY, Liu JA*, Cheung CW*. Histone deacetylase 5-induced deficiency of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 acetylation contributes to spinal astrocytes degeneration in painful diabetic neuropathy. Glia. Apr 2023;71(4):1099-1119. doi:10.1002/glia.24328
5. Chen YL, Feng XL, Cheung CW, Liu JA*. Mode of action of astrocytes in pain: from the spinal cord to the brain. Prog Neurobiol. Oct 10 2022:102365. doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102365
6. Hu F, Fong KO, Cheung MPL, Liu JA, Liang R, Li TW, Sharma R, Ip PP, Yang X, Cheung M. DEPDC1B Promotes Melanoma Angiogenesis and Metastasis through Sequestration of Ubiquitin Ligase CDC16 to Stabilize Secreted SCUBE3. Adv Sci (Weinh). Apr 2022;9(10):e2105226. doi:10.1002/advs.202105226
7. Yang X, Hu F, Liu JA, Yu S, Cheung MPL, Liu X, Ng IO, Guan XY, Wong KKW, Sharma R, Lung HL, Jiao Y, Lee LTO, Cheung M. Nuclear DLC1 exerts oncogenic function through association with FOXK1 for cooperative activation of MMP9 expression in melanoma. Oncogene. May 2020;39(20):4061-4076. doi:10.1038/s41388-020-1274-8
8. Liu JA, Tai A, Hong J, Cheung MPL, Sham MH, Cheah KSE, Cheung CW, Cheung M. Fbxo9 functions downstream of Sox10 to determine neuron-glial fate choice in the dorsal root ganglia through Neurog2 destabilization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Feb 25 2020;117(8):4199-4210. doi:10.1073/pnas.1916164117
9. Yang X, Liang R, Liu C, Liu JA, Cheung MPL, Liu X, Man OY, Guan XY, Lung HL, Cheung M. SOX9 is a dose-dependent metastatic fate determinant in melanoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. Jan 14 2019;38(1):17. doi:10.1186/s13046-018-0998-6
10. Wang Y, Liu JA, Leung KKH, Sham MH, Chan D, Cheah KSE, Cheung M. Reprogramming of Mouse Calvarial Osteoblasts into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int. 2018;2018:5280793. doi:10.1155/2018/5280793
11. Liu JA, Rao Y, Cheung MPL, Hui MN, Wu MH, Chan LK, Ng IO, Niu B, Cheah KSE, Sharma R, Hodgson L, Cheung M. Asymmetric localization of DLC1 defines avian trunk neural crest polarity for directional delamination and migration. Nat Commun. Oct 30 2017;8(1):1185. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01107-0
12. Liu JA, Cheung M. Neural crest stem cells and their potential therapeutic applications. Dev Biol. Nov 15 2016;419(2):199-216. doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.09.006
13. Liu JA, Lai FP, Gui HS, Sham MH, Tam PK, Garcia-Barcelo MM, Hui CC, Ngan ES. Identification of GLI Mutations in Patients With Hirschsprung Disease That Disrupt Enteric Nervous System Development in Mice. Gastroenterology. Dec 2015;149(7):1837-1848 e5. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2015.07.060
14. Liu JA, Wu MH, Yan CH, Chau BK, So H, Ng A, Chan A, Cheah KS, Briscoe J, Cheung M. Phosphorylation of Sox9 is required for neural crest delamination and is regulated downstream of BMP and canonical Wnt signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. Feb 19 2013;110(8):2882-7. doi:10.1073/pnas.1211747110

5 January 2025