ABSTRACT
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Yulu Cherry Liu is first author on ‘ Hedgehog pathway modulation by glypican 3-conjugated heparan sulfate’, published in JCS. Yulu Cherry conducted the research described in this article while a postdoctoral fellow in Adrian Salic's lab at the Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. She is now an assistant professor at Hood College, Frederick, MD, USA, investigating primary cilia and glypican.
Yulu Cherry Liu
How would you explain the main findings of your paper in lay terms?
We discovered the importance of a specific type of sugar modification for the protein glypican and its involvement in cell communication, which has relevance to developmental disorders.
Were there any specific challenges associated with this project? If so, how did you overcome them?
I was wrapping up experiments for this paper and applying for faculty jobs when the pandemic hit. There were a few stressful months of uncertainty about experiments and job application status. In the end, I received an offer from Hood College, and I moved and started a new job in the midst of the pandemic year (2020). Adrian and Brad worked with me throughout all these changes over the past two years to collect and analyze data and to edit the manuscript. We are happy that it is finally accepted.
When doing the research, did you have a particular result or ‘eureka’ moment that has stuck with you?
Yes, one of the important pieces of data that supports our model is shown in Fig. 2 of our article: the re-attachment of purified glypican to the cell surface via a nanobody. The results of this experiment supported our initial observation that the secreted ectodomain of glypican 3 acts as a dominant-negative factor in the pathway.
Why did you choose Journal of Cell Science for your paper?
Our work is basic mechanistic cell biology, and JCS is a great fit for this. JCS has published quite a few papers in the field of Hedgehog signaling and primary cilia.
Chimeric glypicans. Schematic of chimeric glypicans (GPCs) consisting of GPC1, GPC2 and GPC3 that were generated by domain swap.
Chimeric glypicans. Schematic of chimeric glypicans (GPCs) consisting of GPC1, GPC2 and GPC3 that were generated by domain swap.
Have you had any significant mentors who have helped you beyond supervision in the lab? How was their guidance special?
People from my fellowship program (Kidney Foundation of Canada) provided me with invaluable networking opportunities. The Harvard Medical School Office for Postdocs provided great support and resources when I was looking to apply for jobs in primarily undergraduate institutes (teaching stream).
What motivated you to pursue a career in science, and what have been the most interesting moments on the path that led you to where you are now?
My doctoral training in Dr Stephane Angers' lab provided the foundation for a passion for mechanistic cell biology. Stephane and my lab mates were always very eager to talk about the latest result, good or bad, and encouraged me to keep going. My interest in primary cilia was inspired by a wonderful talk from the late Dr Kathryn Anderson during my PhD when she visited University of Toronto.
Who are your role models in science? Why?
Dr Kathryn Anderson, a pioneer in our field. Her lab discovered the importance of primary cilia in development. Also, Dr Jean-Paul Vincent, for his many discoveries in the Wnt field. His recent paper on glypicans and Wnt supported our findings.
What's next for you?
Currently, I'm setting up my lab at Hood College. I hope to recruit students to come work with me on projects related to primary cilia or glypicans.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that wouldn't be on your CV
I enjoy cooking and trying different recipes, as well as spending time with my dog and cat.
Yulu Cherry Liu's contact details: Hood College, 401 Rosemont Ave, Frederick, MD 21701, USA.
E-mail: [email protected]
