Yie Liu, Ph.D.

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures that cap chromosome termini and prevent their recognition as DNA double-strand breaks. Telomere shortening is a hallmark of aging and is associated with multiple age-related diseases and telomere biology disorders. Dr. Liu's laboratory investigates the hypothesis that oxidative DNA lesions and impaired resolution of telomeric DNA secondary structures compromise telomere maintenance and function. The laboratory also explores alternative mechanisms by which telomere attrition contributes to telomere biology disorders, age-associated organ dysfunction, and pathological decline.

Using integrated molecular, genetic, and biochemical approaches, Dr. Liu's research focuses on: 1) identifying key genes and pathways that regulate oxidative DNA damage and unique secondary DNA structures at telomeres; 2) determining how defects in telomere maintenance contribute to human diseases characterized by accelerated aging and cancer susceptibility; 3) elucidating the molecular links between mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic dysregulation, inflammatory signaling, and telomere loss in telomere-related pathophysiology; and 4) evaluating targeted interventions that mitigate mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic imbalance, and inflammation to alleviate pathological consequences of telomere shortening and dysfunction.

Collectively, these studies aim to advance understanding of how DNA damage, unresolved telomeric DNA structures, and associated cellular stress pathways regulate telomere homeostasis, aging, and disease. Ultimately, this work seeks to identify novel therapeutic targets for age-related disorders and telomere biology diseases.

Dr. Yie Liu received her Ph.D. at Karolinska Institute, Sweden and then joined the University of Toronto as a postdoctoral fellow of the National Cancer Institute of Canada. She became a principal investigator at NIA since 2006.