1985 - 1989  B. Sc. in Biophysics, Nankai University, Tianjin

1991 - 1996  Ph. D. in Biophysics, Institute of Biophysics of CAS, Beijing

1996 - 1997  Assistant Professor, Institute of Biophysics of CAS, Beijing

1997 - 1999  Postdoctoral Research in Wuerzburg University, Germany

1999 -           Professor of Institute of Biophysics of CAS, Beijing

In response to the environmental stimuli, fruit fly-Drosophila melanogaster exhibits a diversity of behavioral activities from feeding and locomotion to cognitive processes. Using a variety of experimental approaches, ranging from behavioral to molecular, our lab seeks to study how the central nervous system translates environmental stimuli to behavior. We attempt to elucidate the structure and function of the brain in relation to the production of specific behavior in Drosophila.

1. Wenlan Duan^#, Yihao Zhang^#, Xin Zhang^#, Jihua Yang, Heying Shan, Li Liu*, Hongying Wei* (2023) A visual pathway into central complex for high-frequency motion-defined bars in Drosophila. J Neurosci, 43(26):4821-4836

2. Xiaoxiao Ji^#, Deliang Yuan^#, Hongying Wei^#, Yaxin Cheng^#, Xinwei Wang, Jihua Yang, Pengbo Hu, Julia Yvonne Gestrich, Li Liu*, Yan Zhu* (2020) Differentiation of theta visual motion from Fourier motion requires LC16 and R18C12 neurons in Drosophila. iScience, 23:101041.

3. Qionglin Peng^#, Yijin Wang^#, Meixia Li^#, DeliangYuan, Mengbo Xu, Changqing Li, Zhefeng Gong, Renjie Jiao*, Li Liu* (2016) cGMP-dependent protein kinase encoded by foraging regulates motor axon guidance in Drosophila by suppressing Lola function. J Neurosci, 36(16):4635-4646.

4. Chao Guo, Yifei Du, Deliang Yuan, Meixia Li, Haiyun Gong, Zhefeng Gong*, Li Liu* (2014) A conditioned visual orientation requires the ellipsoid body in Drosophila. Learn Mem, 22:56-63.

5. Meixia Li^#, Shengyun Wen^#, Xiangqian Guo, Baoyan Bai, Zhefeng Gong, Xiaojun Liu, Yijin Wang, Yanqiong Zhou, Xiaowei Chen, Li Liu*, Runsheng Chen* (2012) The novel long non-coding RNA CRG regulates Drosophila locomotor behaviour. Nucleic Acids Res, 40(22):11714-11727.

6. Zhefeng Gong*, Jianqu Liu, Chao Guo, Yanqiong Zhou, Yan Teng, Li Liu* (2010) Two pairs of neurons in central brain control Drosophila innate light preference. Science, 330:499-502.

7. Yufeng Pan, Yanqiong Zhou, Chao Guo, Haiyun Gong, Zhefeng Gong*, Li Liu* (2009) Differential roles of the fan-shaped body and the ellipsoid body in Drosophila visual pattern memory. Learn Mem, 16:289-295.

8. Zhipeng Wang^#, Yufeng Pan^#, Weizhe Li^#, Huoqing Jiang, Lazaros Chatzimanolis, Jianhong Chang, Zhefeng Gong*, Li Liu* (2008) Visual pattern memory requires foraging function in the central complex of Drosophila. Learn Mem, 15:133-142.

9. Gang Liu^#, Holger Seiler^#, Ai Wen, Troy Zars, Kei Ito, Reinhard Wolf, Martin Heisenberg*, Li Liu* (2006) Distinct memory traces for two visual features in the Drosophila brain. Nature, 439:551-556.

10. Li Liu, Reinhard Wolf, Roman Ernst, Martin Heisenberg* (1999) Context generalization in Drosophila visual learning requires the mushroom bodies. Nature, 400:753-756.

(From Li Liu, August 28, 2023)