Education:

B.S. , Physics, Shandong University, 1994

M.E., Nuclear Engineering, Peking University,1998

M.A., Physics University of Pittsburgh, 2004

Ph. D., Biophysics and Computational Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009 

Research interest：

We are interested in studying complex biological networks in multicellular organisms at the single cell level from a quantitative and holistic perspective. We often take the approach of quantifying the landscape of biological networks via measuring their dynamic responses upon controlled perturbations. Such an approach usually integrates molecular, cellular and developmental biology, mathematical modeling, and importantly, quantitative imaging and laser-based manipulations. Our research is directed towards a long-term goal of understanding the design principle underlying biological networks, and ultimately, providing novel insights into restoration of dysfunctional networks related to cancer a systems perspective as new therapeutic strategies. Our current model systems include gene networks controlling cell fate determination during Drosophila embryogenesis and cancer metastasis.

Academic Work experiences：

2009-2013: Research Associate, Department of Physics, Princeton University

2013-2014: Research Associate, Department of Physics, Duke University

2014- present: Assistant Professor School of Physics, Center for Quantitative Biology,

            Peking University

Selected Publications：

1.             M. Wang, W.H. Shen, S.Y. Ding, et al., and F. Liu* (2019), “A coupled effect of dehydration and electrostatic interactions on selective ion transport through charged nanochannels”, Nanoscale, 10,18821.

2.             Z., Yang, X.X. Wu, N. Yang, and F. Liu* (2018), “Noise transmission during the dynamic pattern formation in fly embryos”. Quantitative Biology, 1, 15-29. Invited Review

3.        P.F. Wang, M. Wang, F. Liu*, et al. (2018), “Ultrafast ion sieving using nanoporous polymeric membranes”. Nature Communications, 9, 568.

4.             W.K. Wang, K. Tao, J. Wang, G. Yang, Q. Ouyang, Y.G. Wang, L. Zhang^*, and F. Liu* (2017), “Exploring the inhibitory effect of membrane tension on cell polarization”. PLOS Computational Biology, 13(1), e1005354.

5.             Y. Liang, G. Yang, F. Liu^*, Y.G. Wang (2017), “Monte Carlo simulation of ionizing radiation induced DNA strand breaks utilizing coarse grained high-order chromatin structures”, Physics in Medicine and Biology, 61(1), 445-60.

6.        Q. Wen, D.X. Yan, F. Liu^*, et al., Y.G. Wang^* (2016), “Highly selective ionic transport through subnanometer pores in polymer films”. Advanced Functional Material, 26(32), 5796.

7.             J. Wang, G. Yang, F. Liu^* (2015), “The application of physics in the study of cell polarity during tumor cell migration”. Acta Phys. Sin. 64 (5): 058707. Invited Review

8.             M.D. Petkova, S.C. Little, F. Liu, and T. Gregor (2014), “Maternal origins of developmental reproducibility”, Current Biology, 24(11), 1283-1288.

9.             F. Liu, A.H. Morrison, and T. Gregor (2013), “Dynamic interpretation of transcription factor concentration in the Drosophila segmentation gene network”, PNAS, 110 (17), 6724-6729. Research highlight in Nature Reviews Genetics.

10.         F. Liu, Y.G. Gao, and M. Gruebele (2010), “A survey of lambda repressor fragments from two-state to downhill folding”. Journal Molecular Biology, 397(3), 789-9.

11.         F. Liu, M. Nakaema, and M. Gruebele (2009), “The transition state transit time of WW domain folding is controlled by energy landscape roughness”. Journal of Chemical Physics, 131, 19,195101-195110. JCP Editor's Choice – 2009

12.         A.A. Fuller, D.G. Du, F. Liu, et al., M. Gruebele, and J.W. Kelly (2009), “Evaluating β-Turn mimics as β-Sheet folding nucleators”. PNAS, 106,11067-11072.

13.          F. Liu, D.G. Du, A.A. Fuller, J.E. Davoren, P. Wipf, J.W. Kelly, and M. Gruebele (2008), “An experimental survey of the transition between two-state and downhill protein folding scenarios”, PNAS, 105, 2369-2374.

14.          F. Liu, and M. Gruebele (2008), “Downhill dynamics and the molecular phase in protein folding”. Chemical Physics Letters, Frontiers Article, 461,1-8. Invited review, cover highlight

15.         P.L. Freddolino, F. Liu, M. Gruebele, and K. Schulten (2008), “Ten-microsecond MD simulation of a fast-folding WW domain”. Biophysical Journal, 94, L75-L77.