Contact

Qiaoyu Liu
Laboratory for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy
Ghent University
Ottergemsesteenweg 460
9000 Gent
Belgium
Tel: 0032 9 264 8047 (secretary)
Tel: 0032 9 264 8365 (direct)
E-mail: Qiaoyu.Liu@ugent.be

Biography

2021.08-present: Visiting PhD student funded by the China Scholarship Council, Lab General Biochemistry & Physical Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
2017.09-present: PhD student in Pharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
2014.09-2017.06: MSc in Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China
2009.09-2014.06: BSc in Pharmacy (Japanese), Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, China

Research interests

Intracellular nucleic acid delivery, lipid nanoparticles

Summary of research projects

Nucleic Acid (NA) based therapeutics have attracted much attention due to their huge potential as a future therapeutic strategy for clinical applications.

However, naked NA is rapidly degraded by nucleases, showing poor cellular uptake, nonspecificity to the target cells, and low transfection efficiency. At present, major NA delivery systems use either viral or non-viral vectors. Their ease of manufacture and flexible design makes nonviral vectors attractive options for NA delivery applications. Here, lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have been extensively investigated and are currently the most advanced vector for the delivery of NA drugs. However, safety concerns remain, especially when repeated administration is required. In addition, to date no LNP formulations are available for local administration, e.g. via inhalation therapy. The research project of Qiaoyu consequently focuses on the development of both safe and efficient lipid nanoparticle platforms for local application.