Zukai Liu

Hi, I am Zukai Liu 刘族凯.

I am a Postdoc with Dr. Jay Shendure and Dr. Nobuhiko Hamazaki at University of Washington. My research is developing innovative models and technologies to systematically understand and reconstitute the mammalian life cycle. By integrating stem-cell-based embryo models with high-throughput genomics, I aim to unravel the fundamental mechanisms in embryogenesis, address pregnancy failures, and advance strategies to improve reproductive health.

Previously, I was a Postdoc with Dr. Paul Robson at The Jackson Laboratory. I got my Ph.D. in Biomedical Science from UConn Health co-advised by Dr. Paul Robson and Dr. Albert Cheng. My doctoral research bridged developmental biology and RNA biology. My research was human embryogenesis modeling during the peri-implantation stageusing human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). I developed a hiPSC-based model to study extra-embryonic mesenchymal cells (ExMC), and uncovered the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary origins in early human development. The ExMC model now serves as a key platform in the global MorPhic Consortium to understand how specific genes and pathways influence implantation biology and why human embryogenesis diverges from other mammals. Concurrently, my work in the Cheng Lab focused on RNA biology and engineering, where I developed CREST, a novel platform that integrates RNA splicing and base editing into a single system, reducing off-target effects by 98% compared to existing tools. Together, these projects highlight my ability to address fundamental biological questions while driving technological advancements, bridging the gap between basic research and translational applications.

I hold an M.S. in Developmental Biology from Chinese Academy of Sciences and a B.S. in Biotechnology from Zhejiang University. My passion for intersection of developmental biology and RNA biology was sparked during my master’s research on microRNAs and RNA-binding proteins in tumorigenesis. This early curiosity set the stage for my multidisciplinary approach to developmental biology and RNA engineering.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my dog.

Research Interests

Stem Cell, Embryogenesis, RNA biology, CRISPR