乳腺癌是严重危害女性健康的恶行肿瘤，我们主要围绕乳腺癌发病机理进行深入的系统研究，对转录因子、microRNA、癌症转移、肿瘤干细胞等方向感兴趣，在分子、细胞、模式动物和人等多个层次进行重要基因的功能及其机制研究，期望开发新的肿瘤诊治靶标：  

1.乳腺及乳腺癌干细胞  

应用多种模型（细胞、转基因小鼠、PDX）对KLF5转录因子、microRNA-153等在乳腺癌及癌干细胞中的作用和机制进行探索。 

2.抗乳腺癌药物筛选  

和中科院昆明植物所以及福州大学合作，应用多种模型对大量天然和合成小分子化合物进行抗乳腺癌药物的筛选和机制研究。 

Rong Liu*, Peiguo Shi, Zhongmei Zhou, Hailin Zhang, Wei Li, Hong Zhang, and Ceshi Chen*, Krüpple-like factor 5 is essential for mammary gland development and tumorigenesis,J Pathol, 2018, DOI: 10.1002/path.5153 (* co-corresponding author) 

Huichun Liang, Ji Xiao, Zhongmei Zhou, Hailin Zhang, Zongcheng Li, Jian Sun, Fubing Li,Rong Liu*, and Ceshi Chen*, Hypoxia induces miR-153 through the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway to fine tune the HIF-1α/VEGFA axis in breast cancer angiogenesis,Oncogene, 2018, doi:10.1038/s41388-017-0089-8 (* co-corresponding author) 

Yuqi Lin,Rong Liu*,Ping Zhao, Zheng Zheng, Jingan Huang, Yingying Zhang, Yu Gao, Haiying Chen, Suling Liu, Jia Zhou,* Ceshi Chen,* Haijun Chen*, Discovery of Novel Mifepristone Derivatives via Suppressing KLF5 Expression for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer,Eur J Med Che,2018 Feb 25;146:354-367. (* co-corresponding author) 

Liu R*, Shi P, Nie Z, Liang H, Zhou Z, Chen W, Chen H, Dong C, Yang R, Liu S, Chen C*.Mifepristone Suppresses Basal Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Down-regulating KLF5 Expression.Theranostics.2016 Feb 13;6(4):533-44. (* co-corresponding author) 

Wang Z, Nie Z, Chen W, Zhou Z, Kong Q, Seth AK, Liu R*, Chen C*. RNF115/BCA2 E3 ubiquitin ligase promotes breast cancer cell proliferation through targeting p21Waf1/Cip1 for ubiquitin-mediated degradation,Neoplasia. 2013 Sep;15(9):1028-35. (* co-corresponding author). 

Liu R, Dong J. T, Chen C. Role of KLF5 in Hormonal Signaling and Breast Cancer Development,Vitam Horm. 2013;93:213-25. (book chapter) 

Zhi X, Zhao D, Wang Z, Zhou Z, Wang C, Chen W,Liu R*, Chen C*. E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF126 promotes cancer cell proliferation by targeting the tumor suppressor p21 for ubiquitin-mediated degradation,Cancer Res, 2013 Jan 1, 73(1):385-94. (* co-corresponding author). 

Liu R, Zhou Z, Zhao D,Chen C. The induction of KLF5 transcription factor by progesterone contributes to progesterone-induced breast cancer cell proliferation and dedifferentiation.Mol Endocrinol. 2011, 25(7): 1137-44 (Cover article) 

Liu R,Zhou Z,Huang J,Chen C. PMEPA1 promotes androgen receptor-negative prostate cell proliferation through suppressing the Smad3/4-c-Myc-p21Cip1 signaling pathway.J Pathol.2011, 223(5):683-694   

Shao S#,Liu R #, Wang Y, Song Y, Zuo L, Xue L, Lu N, Hou N, Wang M, Yang X, Zhan Q.Centrosomal Nlp is an oncogenic protein that is gene-amplified in human tumors and causes spontaneous tumorigenesis in transgenic mice.J Clin Invest. 2010 Feb 1; 120(2):498-507.     (# co-first author) 

Liu R, Zheng HQ, Zhou Z, Dong JT, Chen C. KLF5 promotes breast cell survival partially through fibroblast growth factor-binding protein 1-pERK-mediated dual specificity MKP-1 protein phosphorylation and stabilization.J Biol Chem. 2009 Jun 19; 284(25):16791-8.  

Ji J#,Liu R#, Tong T, Song Y, Jin S, Wu M, Zhan Q. Gadd45a regulates beta-catenin distribution and maintains cell-cell adhesion/contact.Oncogene. 2007 Sep 27; 26(44):6396-405. (#co-first author) (IF:7.414)