RNA Featured Researcher – Yaping Liu, Program in Biophysics

 

Yaping Liu, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Program in Biophysics, Sarah Keane Lab

 

• Who/what brings you to science?

A curiosity to know how to use various imaging techniques to observe biological macromolecules in three dimensions to understand their structure, function, and interactions.

• What are your research interests?

Understanding the molecular basis of noncoding RNA function by solving high-resolution structures at different stages using NMR, Cryo-EM, and other imaging approaches.

• What do you hope is the outcome/impact of your research?

I hope the structure of RNA can provide atomic basis for understanding RNA function and designing inhibitors specifically targeting RNA that are involved in human disease.

• What advice would you give to students who’d like to get involved in research?

Don’t hesitate to reach out to labs. Science is a process of constantly discovering and solving problems. Don’t be afraid of failures.

• What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Besides as a researcher, I would like to spend more time travelling and doing outdoor sports.

• What are your longer-term career aspirations?

I plan to pursue a deeper understanding of RNA function and structure. Ultimately, I hope this understanding will broaden our view of disease and, in particular, provide more opportunities for RNA-based therapeutics.