Yao Liu

Postdoctoral Associate

Email

u254232@bcm.edu

Positions

Postdoctoral Associate: Pediatrics - Neurology
Baylor College of Medicine

Education

PhD from Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine: 06/2023 - Shanghai, China

Professional Statement

The central objective of my research is to unravel the neurobiological mechanisms by which the brain regulates energy homeostasis and related physiological processes, with a particular focus on the interplay between neural circuits, glial cells and metabolic signaling. My work employs an integrative approach, combining advanced methodologies such as in vivo neural circuit manipulation (chemogenetics/optogenetics), single-cell transcriptomics, and behavioral phenotyping to dissect how molecular and cellular dynamics translate into systemic physiological outcomes.

Selected Publications

Liu Y*, Shen X*, Zhang Y* et al., Tong X. " Interactions of glial cells with neuronal synapses, from astrocytes to microglia and oligodendrocyte lineage cells. " Glia. 2023 Jun ;
Pubmed PMID: 36799296.
Liu H, Li VL, Liu Q, Liu Y, et al., He Y, Long JZ, Xu Y. " Lac-Phe induces hypophagia by inhibiting AgRP neurons in mice. " Nat Metab.. 2025 Sep ;
Pubmed PMID: 40957996.
Zhang X*, Liu Y*, Hong X* et al., Tong X.. " NG2 glia-derived GABA release tunes inhibitory synapses and contributes to stress-induced anxiety. " Nat Commun.. 2021 Sep ;
Pubmed PMID: 34593806.
Liu Y*, Liu H*, Wong HK, et.al., Xu Y*, He Y*.. " Prolonged exposure to food odors suppresses feeding via an olfactory bulb-to-hypothalamus circuit. " Nat Commun.. 2025 Aug ;
Pubmed PMID: 40849319.