Research Scientist IV, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., USA Research Scientist III, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., USA Research Scientist II, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., USA Research Scientist I, Amgen Research, Amgen Inc., USA Research Instructor, Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, USA Postdoctoral Research Associate, Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, USA Postdoctoral Associate, The Rockefeller University, USA Research Associate, CNRS, Centre CNRS-INSERM de Pharmacologie-Endocrinilogie, Montpellier, France

Chemical biology of biopolymers is the main theme of our research. We are particularly interested in one type of biopolymers � peptides and proteins. As the products of genes and the true functioning molecules in living organisms, peptides and proteins are the current focus of functional genomics and proteomics. We employ organic chemistry and molecular biology principles in combination with modern biophysical and spectroscopic methods to conduct research in several integral parts of peptide and protein science: chemical and biochemical synthesis, structure and de novo design, and medical applications. Our research is aimed at discovering peptide- and protein-based human biopharmaceuticals through developing practical and cost-effective methods both for their synthesis and for high-throughput structure-function relationship studies.

C.-F Liu, U. Feige, J. C. Cheetham. Thrombopoietic compounds (2004). US Patent #6,835,809 P. Kostenuik P., C.-F. Liu, D.L. Lacey (2004). Modulators of receptor for parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein. US patent #6,756,480. U. Feige and C.-F. Liu (2003). Modified peptides as therapeutic agents. US patent #6,660,843. C.-F. Liu, W. S. Marshall and A. Nelson. Calcitonin-related molecules. WO 01/83526. PCT US01/14320. US patent appl., #60/201,511; 09/847,712. U. Feige, C.-F. Liu, J. Cheetham and T. Boone. J.M.Gudas. Modified peptides as therapeutic agents. WO 01/83525. PCT/US01/14310. U. Feige, C.-F. Liu, J. Cheetham and T. Boone. Modified peptides, comprising an Fc domain, as therapeutic agents. WO 00/24782. PCT/US99/25044. US patent appl. #60/105,371 & 09/428,082. P. Kostenuik, C.-F. Liu and D. L. Lacey. Modulators of receptors for the parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein. WO 01/81415. PCT/US01/13528. US patent appl. 09/843,221, 60/266,673, 60/214,860, 60/200,053. C.-F. Liu, U. Feige and J. Cheetham. Thrombopoietic compounds. WO 00/24770. PCT/US99/24834. US patent appl. #60/105,348. C.-F. Liu and J. P. Tam. Subtilisin-catalyzed synthesis of amino-acid and peptide esters. Application in a two step enzymatic ligation scheme. Organic Letters (2001), 3(26), 4157-4159. T. Dieckmann, E.S. Withers-Ward, M.A. Jarosinski, C.-F. Liu, I.S.Y. Chen, J. Feigon. Structure of a human DNA repair protein UBA domain that interacts with HIV-1 Vpr. Nature Structural Biology (1998), 5(12), 1042-1047. C.-F. Liu, C. Rao and J. P. Tam. Orthogonal ligation of unprotected peptide segments through pseudoproline formation for the synthesis of HIV-1 protease analogs. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1996), 118, 307-312. C.-F. Liu, C. Rao and J. P. Tam. Acyl disulfide-mediated intramolecular acylation for orthogonal coupling between unprotected peptide segments. Mechanism and application. Tetrahedron Letters (1996), 37(7), 933-936. J. P. Tam, Y.A. Lu, C.-F. Liu and J. Shao. Peptide synthesis using unprotected peptides through orthogonal coupling and intramolecular acyl transfer. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1995), 92, 12485-12489. C.-F. Liu and J. P. Tam. Peptide segment ligation without use of protecting groups. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1994), 91, 6584-6588. C.-F. Liu and J. P. Tam. Chemical ligation approach to form a peptide bond between two unprotected peptide segments. Concept and model study. J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1994), 116, 4149-4153.