Projects and Grants per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
Current therapeutic strategies for cancer patients have shown only moderate success in reducing incidence and mortality rates and improving survival, thus a new class of more specific treatments for various cancers is greatly needed. A major goal in cancer research is to understand the molecular events that are associated with this disease to aid in the development of such novel therapies.
The long-term goal of my research program is to understand the molecular mechanisms that cause cancer and to use this information to provide new avenues for cancer therapy. My work focuses on an enzyme known as Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), which plays a central role in controlling cell division and is known to exist at abnormally high levels in many types of human cancers. Compounds that inhibit Plk1 are currently viewed as promising new anti-cancer drugs. To fully exploit Plk1 as a potential anticancer drug target, it is essential to fully understand its regulation and function, particularly in the context of the cancer cell.
We are using a combination of biochemistry, cell biology and mouse genetics to understand how Plk1 contributes to oncogenesis and chemoresistance. My lab is in a position to make crucial contributions in understanding how Plk1 can be exploited as a target for drugs to treat a number of important human diseases, including prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma and lung cancer.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Washington State University
1998
Master of Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences
1994
Bachelor of Science, Peking University
1991
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
-
Targeting MNK/GRP78 Pathway to Disrupt Proteostasis Rewiring in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Li, Z. (PI), Liu, J. (CoI) & Liu, X. (CoI)
4/15/25 → 4/14/28
Project: Research project
-
-
Pdcd4-Rictor Interaction in Suppression of Lung Tumorigenesis
Yang, H.-S. (PI), Chen, L. (CoI), Fan, W.-M. (CoI), Hao, Z. (CoI), Lee, E. (CoI), Liu, X. (CoI) & Zhan, C.-G. (CoI)
9/20/23 → 8/31/28
Project: Research project
-
Targeting RSK-TRIM28-E2F1 Axis Overcomes CDK4/6 Inhibitor Resistance in Lethal RB1 Deficient Prostate Cancer
Fong, K. W. (PI), Allison, D. (CoI), Liu, J. (CoI) & Liu, X. (CoI)
9/1/23 → 9/1/26
Project: Research project
-
Targeting the Plk1/Pdcd4/mTORC2 Signaling to Treat Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Yang, H.-S. (PI), Allison, D. (CoI), Chen, L. (CoI) & Liu, X. (CoPI)
7/1/23 → 6/30/28
Project: Research project
-
Artesunate enhances the efficacy of enzalutamide in advanced prostate cancer
Wang, X., Liu, J., Mao, F., Kong, Y., Zhang, Q., Li, C., He, D., Wang, C., Zhang, Y., Wang, R., Ellingson, S. R., Wei, Q., Li, Z. & Liu, X., May 2025, In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. 301, 5, 108458.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
L858R/L718Q and L858R/L792H Mutations of EGFR Inducing Resistance Against Osimertinib by Forming Additional Hydrogen Bonds
Imam, I. A., Al Adawi, S., Liu, X., Ellingson, S., Brainson, C. F., Moseley, H. N. B., Zinner, R., Zhang, S. & Shao, Q., Mar 2025, In: Proteins: Structure, Function and Bioinformatics. 93, 3, p. 673-683 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Scopus citations -
Metformin in overcoming enzalutamide resistance in castration-resistant prostate cancer
Simpson, K., Allison, D., He, D., Liu, J., Wang, C. & Liu, X., Jan 2025, In: Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 392, 1, 100034.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
PLK1 phosphorylates WRN at replication forks
Wang, L., He, D., Li, Q., Orren, D., Wang, C., Liu, J., Li, Z. & Liu, X., Feb 2025, In: Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 392, 2, 100051.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
-
The kinase PLK1 promotes Hedgehog signaling–dependent resistance to the antiandrogen enzalutamide in metastatic prostate cancer
Zhang, Q., Peng, J., Zhang, Y., Liu, J., He, D., Zhao, Y., Wang, X., Li, C., Kong, Y., Wang, R., Mao, F., Wang, C., Wang, Q., Zhang, M., Wang, J., Yang, H. S. & Liu, X., Mar 18 2025, In: Science Signaling. 18, 878, eadi5174.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review