Hongxiang Liu

Hongxiang Liu is a Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He has held this position since August 2025, following previous appointments as Associate Professor (2019-2025) and Assistant Professor (2013-2019) at the same institution. His research focuses on the developmental biology of taste organs, particularly the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying taste bud formation, maintenance, and function.

Dr. Liu received his medical education in China, earning an MD and MSc from Henan Medical University (now Zhengzhou University) and a PhD from Beijing Medical University (now Peking University). His academic journey continued with postdoctoral training at Karolinska Institute in Sweden and the University of Michigan, where he held research positions for over a decade before joining the University of Georgia.

Dr. Liu's research program centers on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of taste bud development and maintenance. His work has particularly focused on identifying the progenitor cells that give rise to taste bud cells and elucidating the signaling pathways that regulate taste papilla and taste bud formation. His laboratory employs a range of sophisticated techniques including whole embryo and tongue organ culture systems, transgenic mouse lines, and single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate these processes. Notably, his research has revealed that SOX10-expressing cells in von Ebner's glands serve as progenitors for a subset of taste bud cells, challenging previous assumptions about taste bud cell origins.

Analysis of Dr. Liu's recent publications reveals a strong focus on the molecular regulation of taste organ development, particularly the roles of BMP signaling, SOX10+ progenitor cells, and neural crest contributions to taste bud formation. His work spans multiple model systems including mice, chickens, and zebrafish, allowing for comparative analyses of taste organ development across species. In recent years, his research has expanded to include translational studies related to familial dysautonomia and peripheral nervous system disorders.

Dr. Liu has secured significant research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other sources, with current projects investigating SOX10+ taste bud progenitor cells, connective tissue regulation in taste bud renewal, and the roles of mesenchymal stromal cells in taste cell differentiation. His laboratory actively trains graduate students through ADSC 7000 (Master Research) and ADSC 9000 (Doctoral Research) courses, as well as through specialized courses on food animal growth and development and the neurobiology of chemical senses.

Dr. Liu's laboratory appears to focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of taste bud development and maintenance, with particular emphasis on progenitor cell identification and signaling pathway analysis. His work bridges developmental biology, sensory neuroscience, and regenerative medicine, providing insights that may have implications for understanding and treating taste disorders.