Jiayu Liao, Ph.D.

In a new paper published in the journal Viruses, the UC Riverside research team describes an important discovery. The protein in COVID that enables the virus to make copies of itself, called N, requires the help of human cells to perform its job.

Genetic instructions in our cells are transcribed from DNA to messenger RNA, and then translated into proteins that enable functions such as growth and communication with other cells. Following this translation event, proteins often need additional modifications by enzymes. These so-called post-translation modifications ensure that proteins are uniquely suited to perform their intended tasks… Continue reading.

Based on real-world data from patients in China, researchers were able to pinpoint factors that led to recurring infections — and which drug combos helped.

In the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors in China tried a barrage of drugs to quell the raging virus. In one Shenzhen hospital, treatments included combinations of up to eight antiviral, anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating drugs. But with no way of knowing how well different combinations would work, it was a trial-and-error approach.

Now, years later, a team of scientists at the University of California (UC) Riverside have followed up on these early medical practices and used machine learning to analyze how the various drug combinations performed — while also predicting which ones could keep further COVID-19 infections at bay… Continue reading.

SUMOylation inhibitor could lead to highly effective ways to treat the flu and other respiratory viruses

It happens every year, especially in winter. A virus saunters into your wide-open respiratory tract, worms its way into lung cells, and, next thing you know, you’re lying in bed with a fever, aches, and chills—classic symptoms of influenza, or flu.

Research led by UC Riverside bioengineers may help stop that cycle. The team has just found a way to block one strain of the influenza virus from accessing a human protein it needs to replicate in cells. The discovery could lead to highly effective ways to treat the flu and could also apply to other respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19… Continue reading.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the pending induction of Jiayu Liao, Ph.D., Associate Professor;, Bioengineering, University of California, to its College of Fellows. Dr. Liao was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows For outstanding contributions to Class B GPCR, SUMOylation,quantitative FRET technologies, high-throughput screening and drug discoveries.