Dr. Yu Sunny Liu is an Assistant Professor at the Cancer Epigenetics Institute and the Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center. He earned his PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Toronto, Canada, in 2014 and completed his postdoctoral training in Dr. Job Dekker’s lab at UMass Chan Medical School, where he studied genome folding. Dr. Liu established his own lab at Fox Chase in 2023.

The Liu lab integrates biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, advanced genomics, and artificial intelligence to uncover fundamental mechanisms that mediate and regulate genome folding. The lab focuses on two key questions in 3D genomics:

1. How is the genome folded and regulated?
2. How does genome misfolding contribute to cancer?

The Liu lab’s research spans three major areas:

1. Mechanisms of Genome Folding and Regulation:

The lab seeks to understand how the three-dimensional organization of the genome is dynamically established and maintained. This includes studying key architectural proteins like cohesin and CTCF, which are critical in shaping chromatin loops and topologically associating domains (TADs). By combining Hi-C, ChIP-seq, and imaging approaches, the lab dissects the molecular players and processes that organize the genome's structure in different cellular states.

2. Interplay Between Histone Modifications and Genome Folding:

A major focus of the lab is on how post-translational modifications of histones—such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation—affect chromatin compaction and loop formation. These epigenetic marks serve as regulators of genome folding, and the lab investigates how the dynamic interplay between histone modifications and chromatin architecture influences gene expression, cellular differentiation, and the response to environmental stimuli. This research is key to understanding how epigenetic regulation contributes to normal cell function and disease.

3. Biological and Clinical Relevance of Genome Folding:

The lab is also dedicated to exploring the clinical implications of genome misfolding, particularly in cancer. Misregulation of chromatin architecture is increasingly recognized as a hallmark of various cancers. The Liu lab studies how disruptions in genome folding contribute to oncogenesis, focusing on cancer epigenetics and how abnormal chromatin interactions promote tumor growth and progression. By integrating experimental data with machine learning models, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets that can restore normal genome architecture in cancer cells.

Dr. Liu's lab also aims to understand how cellular states transition during cancer development and how epigenomic memory is established and transmitted across generations. The lab offers a hybrid research environment, providing opportunities for hands-on training in both "wet" (experimental) and "dry" (computational) lab techniques, ensuring a well-rounded approach to cutting-edge genomics research.