Introduction：

Engineering bacteria through synthetic biology or surface modification for the treatment of tumors or other diseases is an emerging research direction. In this laboratory, via genetic engineering and editing technology, we are able to regulate the tumor-colonization ability and immunomodulatory function of bacteria. Such engineered bacteria after specific colonization in the tumor would release immunomodulatory factors or cancer cell killing factors, so as to achieve efficient and precise treatment of tumors. On the other hand, we are also developing engineered probiotics that can efficiently colonize the intestinal tract after oral administration, for the treatment of intestinal diseases, or enable the regulation of intestinal microbiota.

Selected Papers:

(1) Wu Y, Liu B, Yan Y, Chen M, Zhu Y, Liu N, Dong Z, Feng L*, Liu Z*, Thermal-responsive activation of tumor-homing engineered bacteria to trigger robust antitumor immunity post ablation therapy. Nature Communications,15(1): 10503 (2024)

(2) Bo Liu, Kaiwei Wang, Qiaofeng Li, Zhisheng Xiao, Zihao Chen, Yuting Zhang, Yuzhe Wu, Yuchun Xu, Yumin Wu*, Zhuang Liu* “Engineered VNP20009 expressing IL-15&15Rα augments anti-tumor immunity for bladder cancer treatment” Biomaterials, 315: 122951(2024)

(3) Chenya Wang, Liping Zhong, Jiachen Xu, Qi Zhuang, Fei Gong, Xiaojing Chen, Huiquan Tao, Cong Hu, Fuquan Huang, Nailin Yang, Junyan Li, Qi Zhao, Xinjun Sun, Yu Huo, Qian Chen, Yongxiang Zhao*, Rui Peng* , Zhuang Liu*.“Oncolytic mineralized bacteria as potent locally administered immunotherapeutics” Nature Biomedical Engineering, 8, 561-578 (2024)

(4) Jun Zhou, Maoyi Li, Qiufang Chen, Xinjie Li, Linfu Chen, Ziliang Dong, Wenjun Zhu, Yang Yang, Zhuang Liu* & Qian Chen*. “Programmable probiotics modulate inflammation and gut microbiota for inflammatory bowel disease treatment after effective oral delivery” Nature Communications, 13, 3432 (2022)

(5) Zhijuan Yang, Yujie Zhu, Ziliang Dong, Yu Hao, Chunjie Wang, Quguang Li, Yumin Wu, Liangzhu Feng*, Zhuang Liu*. “Engineering bioluminescent bacteria to boost photodynamic therapy and systemic anti-tumor immunity for synergistic cancer treatment” Biomaterials, 281, 121332 (2021)

(6) Xuan Yi, Hailin Zhou, Yu Chao, Saisai Xiong, Jing Zhong, Zhifang Chai, Kai Yang*, and Zhuang Liu*. “Bacteria-triggered tumor-specific thrombosis to enable potent photothermal immunotherapy of cancer” Science Advances, 6(33): eaba3546 (2020)