Prof. Liu Yuxia
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, CUHK
Area of Expertise: molecular bioengineering, cell membrane biophysics, ion channels, neuromodulation, biomedical imaging, protein engineering
Tel: 3943 9418
Location: SHB601J
About
Yuxia joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong as an Assistant Professor in 2026. She received her bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Xi'an Jiaotong University in 2014 and her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2020. She subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at the National University of Singapore between 2021 to 2026.
Professional Education and Training
2021-2026 Postdoctoral researcher, National University of Singapore, Singapore
2020 Associate Researcher, Suzhou Research Institute of the National University of Singapore, China
2014-2020 Ph.D in Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
2010-2014 B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
Research Interest
Our research seeks to understand and engineer the molecular interfaces through which cells sense and respond to their physical and chemical environments. By integrating ion channel biophysics, protein engineering, molecular imaging, nanotechnology, and cellular engineering, we aim to develop new tools for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. We are particularly interested in:
- Molecular mechanisms of sensory ion channels
- Molecular and cellular engineering for neuromodulation
- Protein-based probes for biomedical imaging
- Translational technologies for neurological disorders
Honors & Awards
2025 Invited Talk, International Forum on Advanced Health Engineering
2025 Invited Keynote Talk, BMEMat-Advanced Materials Joint Symposium
2019 Best Oral Talk Award, 7th International Ion Channel Conference
2018 Best Poster Award, 12th International Calcium Signaling Conference
Selected Publications
- Sui M, Liu J, Fu C, Liu Y,* Yan J,* Liu X.* Direct quantification of Piezo1 activation threshold through DNA-tethered extracellular force sensing. Nature Sensors, 2026. DOI: 10.1038/s44460-026-00060-0.
- Liu Y, Chen J, Liu X.* Photophysics-guided upconversion nanosystems for sensing. Accounts of Chemical Research, 2026, 59, 669-674.
- Liu Y,# He Y,# Tong J,# Guo S, Zhang X, Luo Z, Sun L, Chang C,* Zhuang B,* Liu X.* Solvent-mediated analgesia via the suppression of water permeation through TRPV1 ion channels. Nature Biomedical Engineering, 2025, 9, 905-916.
- Liu Y,# Gao D,# He Y, Ma J, Chong SY, Qi X, Ting HJ, Luo Z, Yi Z, Tang J, Chang C, Wang J, Sheng Z,* Zheng H,* Liu X.* Single-point mutated lanmodulin as a high-performance MRI contrast agent for vascular and kidney imaging. Nature Communications, 2024, 15, 9834.
- Liu Y, Sui M, Liu X.* BLUsH for brain imaging. Matter, 2024, 7, 2798-2800.
- Liu Y, Yi Z, Yao Y, Guo B, Liu X.* Noninvasive manipulation of ion channels for neuromodulation and theranostics. Accounts of Materials Research, 2022, 3, 247-258.
- Su Q,# Hu F,# Liu Y,# Ge X, Mei C, Yu S, Shen A, Zhou Q, Yan C, Lei J, Zhang Y,* Liu X,* Wang T.* Cryo-EM structure of the polycystic kidney disease-like channel PKD2L1. Nature Communications, 2018, 9, 1192.
- Hu M,# Liu Y,# Wu J,# Liu X.* Influx-operated Ca²⁺ entry via PKD2-L1 and PKD1-L3 channels facilitates sensory responses to polymodal transient stimuli. Cell Reports, 2015, 13, 798-811.
