The Zhen Liu Lab mainly focuses on two research directions:

1. Primate embryonic development, reproductive biology, and stem cell research

Life begins with the fusion of sperm and oocyte. After fertilization, the zygote undergoes cleavage and then reaches the blastocyst stage, which the first irreversible cell fate decision occurs, giving rise to the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm. Following implantation, the embryo initiates gastrulation, germ layer specification, and organogenesis. Primordial germ cells also undergo differentiation and meiosis to re-establish sperm or oocytes, ensuring the continuity and evolution of life.

The Zhen Liu Lab aims to elucidate the fundamental regulatory mechanisms underlying these key developmental events, and to recapitulate them in vitro using stem cell–based systems. Our research interests encompass mammalian — particularly primate — embryogenesis and reprogramming, reproductive development and germ cell regeneration, stem cells pluripotency and stem cell–derived embryo models.

Together, these studies will provide new insights into the fundamental principles of primate development, advance non-human primate model technologies, and offer valuable inspiration for regenerative medicine.

2. Development and application of molecular genetic tools for primate brain and cognition research

Understanding the neural circuit basis of cognitive behavior is essential for uncovering how the brain works. Although extensive genetic labeling, optogenetics, calcium imaging, and circuit tracing technologies have greatly advanced structural and functional studies in rodents, similar research in primates remains limited. One major bottleneck is the lack of molecular and genetic tools specifically optimized for primate neuroscience.

We believe that breakthroughs in technology will open new avenues for primate brain research. Leveraging our team’s long-standing experience in primate molecular genetics and building upon species-specific advantages, we are establishing a comprehensive toolkit for primate neuroscience. This includes neuron subtype–specific labeling systems, high spatiotemporal resolution optogenetic manipulation, large-field and single-cell–resolution calcium imaging, and both anterograde and retrograde neural circuit tracers.

The development of this integrated platform will play a pivotal role in primate brain research. We are actively applying these tools to construct brain connectivity maps, investigate cognitive functions, explore therapeutic strategies for brain disorders, and contribute to the development of brain-inspired devices.