George Y. Liu, MD, PhD

Physician, PD Infectious Disease
Email:george.liu@cshs.org
Phone:(310) 423-4471
Fax:(310) 423-8284

Institute Affiliation

Immunobiology Research Institute

Academic Appointments

Assistant Professor, Pediatrics

Awards and Activities

Pediatric Infectious Disease Society Young Investigator Award2008
Burroughs Wellcome Career Award in Biomedical Sciences2004
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Post-doctoral Fellowship2002

Research Focus

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is arguably the most important pathogen of our time, but how it causes more frequent and severe infections is not known. A primary objective of the research program is to understand how S. aureus, particulary CA-MRSA, interacts with the host immune system. Combining the use of bacterial genetics, cell cultures, and small animal infection models, the lab studies the molecular mechanisms of S. aureus infections.

Research Contributions

Identification of microbial carotenoids as a novel class of virulence factors.

Current investigations include:

Host- Pathogen interaction, S. aureus and MRSA pathogenesis and colonization, role of the Staph golden pigment, catalase, Panton-Valentine Leukocidin, and hyaluronidase in infections.

Selected Publications

  1. Liu CI, Liu GY, Song Y, Yin F, Hensler ME, Jeng WY, Nizet V, Wang AH, Oldfield E: A cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor blocks Staphylococcus aureus virulence. Science, 319(5868): 1391-4, 2008
  2. Park B, Nizet V, Liu GY: Role of Staphylococcus aureus catalase in niche competition against Streptococcus pneumoniae. J. Bacteriol., 190(7): 2275-8, 2008
  3. Liu GY, Essex A, Buchanan JT, Datta V, Hoffman HM, Bastian JF, Fierer J, Nizet V: Staphylococcus aureus golden pigment impairs neutrophil killing and promotes virulence through its antioxidant activity. J. Exp. Med., 202(2): 209-15, 2005
  4. Lawrence T, Bebien M, Liu GY, Nizet V, Karin M: IKKalpha limits macrophage NF-kappaB activation and contributes to the resolution of inflammation. Nature, 434(7037): 1138-43, 2005
  5. Liu GY, Doran KS, Lawrence T, Turkson N, Puliti M, Tissi L, Nizet V: Sword and shield: linked group B streptococcal beta-hemolysin/cytolysin and carotenoid pigment function to subvert host phagocyte defense. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 101(40): 14491-6, 2004
  6. Liu GY, Fairchild PJ, Smith RM, Prowle JR, Kioussis D, Wraith DC: Low avidity recognition of self-antigen by T cells permits escape from central tolerance. Immunity, 3(4): 407-15, 1995