David R. Liu Research Group

Harvard University

Can precision genome edits and evolved macromolecules be engineered without double-strand breaks to study and treat disease? The group develops genome-editing proteins such as base editors and prime editors and evaluates their specificity, targeting scope, and deliverability for therapeutic applications. Researchers harness phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE) and DNA-templated synthesis to evolve proteins and discover bioactive small molecules. The lab integrates molecular engineering, high-throughput selections, and delivery studies to improve editing efficiency and reduce byproducts. The group is led by the Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of the Natural Sciences and HHMI investigator and documents technologies such as base editing and prime editing pioneered in the laboratory.