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Edison T. Liu, M.D.

President, CEO

Conducts research focused on the functional genomics of breast cancer through an exploration of the entire genomic space.

The JAX Cancer Center

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About Edison T. Liu, M.D.

Dr. Liu is the president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory. Previously, he was the founding executive director of the Genome Institute of Singapore (2001-2011), and was the president of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO) from 2007-2013. Between 1997 and 2001, he was the scientific director of the National Cancer Institute's Division of Clinical Sciences in Bethesda, Md., where he was in charge of the intramural clinical translational science programs.

From 1987 to 1996, Dr. Liu was a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was the director of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center's Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Breast Cancer; the director of the Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology at UNC's School of Public Health; chief of Medical Genetics; and the chair of the Correlative Science Committee of the national cooperative clinical trials group, CALGB. Dr. Liu is an international expert in cancer biology, genomics, human genetics, molecular epidemiology and translational medicine.

Dr. Liu's own scientific research has focused on the functional genomics of human cancers, particularly breast cancer, uncovering new oncogenes, and deciphering on a genomic scale the dynamics of gene regulation that modulate cancer biology. He has authored over 300 scientific papers and reviews, and co-authored two books. He obtained his B.S. in chemistry and psychology, as well as his M.D., at Stanford University. He served his internship and residency at Washington University's Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, followed by an oncology fellowship at Stanford. From 1982 to 1987 he was at the University of California, San Francisco, at the G.W. Hooper Foundation.

Grants, honors and accomplishments

2014 April - 2014 Chen Award for Distinguished Academic Achievement in Human Genetic and Genomic Research (from the Human Genome Organization)

2013 January - Elected, Fellow of the Connecticut Academy of Sciences and Engineering

2010 October - Fellow of the Hastings Center (New York, Elected Membership)

2010-2013 - Re-elected - President, Human Genome Organization (HUGO)

2008 - Elected, Foreign Associate Member, European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)

July 2007 - Awarded Doctor of Medical Sciences honoris causa, Queen’s University, Belfast September

June 2007-2010 - Elected – President, Human Genome Organization (HUGO)

September 2003 - Public Service Medal (National Day, 2003): for work in controlling SARS in Singapore (given by the Office of the President, Republic of Singapore)

April 2000 - Rosenthal Award, AACR: for the discovery that HER-2 status determines response to adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin.

April 1999-2001 - Elected-Board of Directors, American Association for Cancer Research

October 1996 - 1996 Brinker International Award for Breast Cancer Research - Basic Research Award

July 1995 - American Society of Clinical Investigation (Elected Membership)

December 1991-November1996 - Leukemia Society Scholar

October 1990-1993 - Komen Foundation Award for Breast Cancer Research (funding fellow salary)

July 1990-June 1994 - Jefferson Pilot Award: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Junior Faculty Award for Research Excellence

July 1985-1988 - Clinical Investigator Award, National Cancer Institute, K08- CA01036-02, Preceptor: Dr. J. Michael Bishop.

September 1983-1985 - Damon Runyan Cancer Fund Fellowship Preceptor: Dr. J. Michael Bishop (UCSF)

July-September 1974 - Ford Foundation Fellowship for Intensive Studies in Chinese, Stanford University

June 1973 - Phi Beta Kappa, Stanford University

June-September 1972 - National Science Foundation Fellowship in Chemistry 1972. To study the photoconversion of aziridines to ethylene for its agriculture applications. Preceptor: Dr. J. D. White

Selected Publications

Highlighted Abstract

Next-generation sequencing studies have revealed genome-wide structural variation patterns in cancer, such as chromothripsis and chromoplexy, that do not engage a single discernable driver mutation, and whose clinical relevance is unclear. We devised a robust genomic metric able to identify cancers with a chromotype called tandem duplicator phenotype (TDP) characterized by frequent and distributed tandem duplications (TDs). Enriched only in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and in ovarian, endometrial, and liver cancers, TDP tumors conjointly exhibit tumor protein p53 (TP53) mutations, disruption of breast cancer 1 (BRCA1), and increased expression of DNA replication genes pointing at rereplication in a defective checkpoint environment as a plausible causal mechanism. The resultant TDs in TDP augment global oncogene expression and disrupt tumor suppressor genes. Importantly, the TDP strongly correlates with cisplatin sensitivity in both TNBC cell lines and primary patient-derived xenografts. We conclude that the TDP is a common cancer chromotype that coordinately alters oncogene/tumor suppressor expression with potential as a marker for chemotherapeutic response.

Research HighlightOctober 27, 2020
Not all eggs in one basket: genetic alternatives regulating meiotic recombination
A team of JAX scientists led by Tanmoy Bhattacharyya, Ph.D. and Natalie Powers, Ph.D. found that in mice with very low or no PRDM9in some genetic backgrounds are fertile and a protein called CHK2 can act as a modifier promoting redundancy of PRDM9 in mice.
Research HighlightOctober 20, 2020
Connecting genetics with epigenetics in acute myeloid leukemia
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive, difficult-to-treat cancer. Nonetheless, researchers have found that there are not as many genetic mutations associated with AML as with most other cancers. Aberrant epigenetic patterning, on the other hand, is emerging as a hallmark of AML.
Press ReleaseOctober 08, 2020
Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative expands; offers clinical trials and new technology
The Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI), a collaboration aimed at making the latest personalized medicine available to cancer patients throughout Maine, will now bring new precision oncology clinical trials to the state, support access to targeted therapies for patients not eligible for trials, and develop novel technology to enhance genomic education and genetic services through online platforms.
Research HighlightSeptember 22, 2020
Finding ways to TREAT Alzheimer's disease
The quest to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has almost entirely met with failure at the clinical trial stage. Nonetheless, there have been research advances, particularly during the last few years, that are laying the foundation for progress in the years ahead.

Press ReleaseOctober 20, 2020
Why do we age and how?
Newly re-funded JAX center is empowering innovative approaches to aging research.
Research HighlightOctober 20, 2020
From one cell to trillions: Exploring early development
JAX researchers are probing the mysteries of pluripotent stem cells; the earliest stages of life.
Featured ArticleOctober 01, 2020
Virtual forum: New strategies for tackling breast cancer
Understanding duplication in certain genes may be the key to creating personalized cancer care for patients with triple-negative breast cancer, scientists from The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) shared during a JAXtaposition virtual event.
Research HighlightSeptember 21, 2020
Fueling cancer metastasis
New JAX research shows that inhibiting neutrophil lipid accumulation could provide a valuable anti-metastatic therapy target for cancer patients.
- Cancer/Tumors
- Cancer