Chang Liu

WBSB 704Lab website

The Liu Lab opened in August 2022.

Research Interests

We study the molecular mechanisms underlying a variety of nucleic acid transactions, including DNA transposition, RNA synthesis and RNA processing. The current research focus of my laboratory is to understand the molecular underpinnings and biological significance of complex virus-host interactions in the dynamic cellular environment.

The intricate virus-host interplay in gene regulation is a sophisticated regulatory network that dictates the outcome of the battles between virus and host, creating a promising opportunity to develop innovative antiviral strategies. However, how RNA viruses, and in particular coronaviruses, interfere with host transcription and how the host restricts coronavirus RNA synthesis are largely uncharted territory, greatly hampering the design of novel antiviral agents targeting these critical interactions.

We use a combination of biophysical, biochemical, cellular, genomic, and computational approaches together with the cutting-edge cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) techniques to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, biological functions, and evolutionary conservation of various coronavirus-host interactions and identify targets for novel and effective antiviral treatments.

Complete List of Publications

Selected Publications

• Amusan OT, Wang S, Yin C, Koehler HS, Li Y, Tenev T, Wilson R, Bellenie B, Zhang T, Wang J, Liu C, Seong K, Poorbaghi SL, Yates J, Shen Y, Upton JW, Meier P, Balachandran S, Guo H. (2025) RIPK1 is required for ZBP1-driven necroptosis in human cells. PLoS Biol 23(2):e3002845.
• Yang, Y. Li, Y., Becker, S.T., Khan, A., Luo, G., Liu, B., Liu, C (2025). Molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 proofreading enzyme-mediated resistance to remdesivir. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 122 (40): e2519755122.
• Li Y, Cao XC, Recker L, Yang Y, Liu C (2026). Structural and catalytic diversity of coronavirus proofreading exoribonuclease. Nat Commun 17, 452.
• Liu C^#, Li Y, Cao X, Gleason RJ, Liu B^#, Yang Y^# (2026). Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 resistance to nucleotide analog-based antivirals. Nat Commun 17, 1601; ^#Co-corresponding authors
• Zhao Y, Guo R, Yang Y, Liu C (2026). Structural and mechanistic perspectives on SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14-mediated cap formation and drug discovery. Microorganisms 14(8), 1815
• Liu C*, Zhang Y*, Liu C, Schatz DG (2022). Structural insights into the evolution of the RAG recombinase. Nat Rev Immunol 22, 353–370
• Liu C^#, Shi W, Becker ST, Schatz DG, Liu B^#, Yang Y^# (2021). Structural basis of mismatch recognition by a SARS-CoV-2 proofreading enzyme. Science 373(6559): 1142-1146
• Yang Y*^#, Liu C*^#, Zhou W*, Shi W*, Chen M, Zhang B, Schatz DG, Hu Y^#, Liu B^# (2021). Structural visualization of transcription activated by a multidrug-sensing MerR family regulator. Nat Commun 12, 2702
• Liu C*, Yang Y*, Schatz DG (2019). Structures of a RAG-like transposase during cut-and-paste transposition. Nature 575(7783): 540-544