Huizhen Liu

Huizhen Liu serves as Academic Coordinator in the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on molecular mechanisms of thapsigargin binding to calcium ATPases and related drug design principles.

Her primary research interests include Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Biochemistry, with specialization in protein-ligand interactions, calcium signaling pathways, and structural analysis of ATPase inhibition. She investigates how natural compounds like thapsigargin disrupt cellular calcium homeostasis through precise molecular interactions with target enzymes.

Analysis of her 2006-2013 publications reveals a concentrated research trajectory on thapsigargin analogs and their binding mechanisms. Her work integrates structural biology, computational modeling, and biochemical assays to map binding sites, optimize pharmacophores, and develop cytotoxic derivatives for potential cancer therapeutics. This consistent focus demonstrates deep expertise in translating molecular insights into drug design applications.

Dr. Liu maintains active collaborations with leading researchers including S.B. Christensen, P. Nissen, and J.V. Møller at the University of Copenhagen, contributing to interdisciplinary projects that bridge basic biochemistry and pharmaceutical development.