Kathy Liu Lab

Welcome to Our Laboratory

Decoding Cancer Dependencies

RNA Regulation • Sex Chromosome Biology • Therapeutics

The Liu laboratory decodes the molecular dependencies that make cancer cells vulnerable. We investigate how RNA regulatory enzymes and sex-chromosome homologs shape cancer cell fitness, gene expression, and translation—and develop RNA-based strategies to exploit these dependencies therapeutically. Our research integrates RNA biochemistry, cancer biology, genome integrity, genomics, and functional genetics to uncover fundamental principles of cancer dependency and therapeutic vulnerability.

Our research focuses on three interconnected questions

Sex-Chromosome Paralog Dependency

How does X–Y homolog balance create selective dependencies and therapeutic vulnerabilities in cancer?

RNA Regulation & Translation

How do RNA-modifying enzymes create dependencies that cancer cells require for gene expression and translation?

Precision RNA Therapeutics

How can these molecular dependencies be converted into programmable therapies?

From Molecular Mechanism to Cancer Vulnerabilities

Molecular mechanisms
Enzymology • RNA chemistry • Structure • RNA–protein interactions
↓
Cellular dependencies
RNA regulation • Translation • Ribosome function
↓
Cancer vulnerabilities
Sex-chromosome dependencies • Selective dependencies • Fusion oncogenes
↓
Therapeutic intervention
RNA targeting • Precision therapeutics

Interested in joining the team?

We are always looking for curious, driven, and creative scientists to join our growing laboratory! Whether your passion lies in mechanistic enzymology, functional genomics, or developing the next generation of RNA and gene-editing therapeutic platforms for clinical translation, we offer a highly collaborative environment to grow your career. We have openings for postdocs, graduate students (Ph.D. and Master's), and technician positions. Please contact Dr. Kathy Liu (liufg@pennmedicine.upenn.edu)