
Dr Jian Liu
BSc(Wuhan), MSc(Wuhan), PhD(Rostock)
Expertise
Current positions
Senior Research Associate
School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
Professional Focus
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Biomedical scientist specializing in immune and metabolic mechanisms underlying age-related degenerative eye diseases.
Key Discoveries & Innovations
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Led the discovery of IRAK-M as a gene therapy target for atrophic macular degeneration, opening new avenues for treatment.
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Pioneered the therapeutic use of topical trehalose to non-invasively enhance autophagy and preserve retinal health.
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Research published in leading journals, including Science Translational Medicine and Aging Cell.
Research Approach
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Bridge fundamental biology with translational medicine.
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Integrate expertise in immunoaging and therapeutic development.
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Reveal molecular pathways critical to retinal degeneration and propose novel strategies to slow or prevent disease progression.
Service
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PhD student supervisor.
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Grant reviewer for major funding bodies including the MRC and BBSRC.
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Peer reviewer for high-impact journals such as: Signal Transduction & Targeted Therapy, Science Advances, Autophagy, Aging Cell, Molecular Therapy, etc.
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Editorial roles with Frontiers in Immunology and Cells.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Combination therapy for dry AMD: targeting systemic and local inflammation synergistically with oral metformin and subretinal IRAK3 gene delivery
Principal Investigator
Description
Macular SocietyManaging organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (THS)Dates
06/01/2025 to 05/01/2026
Regulating systemic and local inflammation to shape high-fat diet-altered neuroretinal immune privilege
Principal Investigator
Description
CSC-University of Bristol Funded PhD projectManaging organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (THS)Dates
05/02/2024 to 04/02/2028
A novel dual-target gene therapy for safe and efficacious treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis
Role
Co-Investigator
Description
MRC ICFManaging organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (THS)Dates
01/02/2024 to 01/02/2026
Large animal safety testing of a novel gene therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), MRC IAA Funding
Role
Co-Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (THS)Dates
01/07/2023 to 29/02/2024
Manipulating immune regulators that maintain retinal pigment epithelial health and metabolism as a therapeutic strategy for AMD (Macular Society)
Role
Co-Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (THS)Dates
25/04/2022 to 24/05/2025
Publications
Recent publications
18/01/2025Age-Associated Decline in Autophagy Pathways in Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Protective Effects of Topical Trehalose in Light-induced Outer Retinal Degeneration in Mice
Age-Associated Decline in Autophagy Pathways in the Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Protective Effects of Topical Trehalose in Light-Induced Outer Retinal Degeneration in Mice
Aging Cell
Marine bromophenols suppressed choroidal neovascularization by targeting HUWE1 through NF-κb signaling pathway
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Replenishing IRAK-M expression in retinal pigment epithelium attenuates outer retinal degeneration
Science Translational Medicine
On implications of somatostatin in diabetic retinopathy
Neural Regeneration Research