Simon Liang

Simon Liang serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, specializing within the Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Division. His research integrates genome editing technologies with cancer therapeutics, focusing on ADAR1-mediated RNA editing pathways in hematologic and solid tumors.

Dr. Liang's research interests center on developing CRISPR-based therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment, with particular emphasis on ADAR1 inhibition as a novel approach for acute myeloid leukemia and prostate cancer. His work bridges genome editing, epigenetic regulation, and RNA biology to address therapeutic resistance mechanisms. Key technical expertise includes prime editing optimization, CRISPR delivery systems (particularly AAV vectors), and methylation analysis.

Analysis of his publication trends reveals a strategic evolution from foundational CRISPR methodology development (2019-2021) toward therapeutic applications in oncology (2022-2025), with increasing focus on translational models including non-human primates. His most impactful recent work demonstrates ADAR1's critical role in cancer cell survival across multiple malignancies.

While specific awards aren't documented in the profile, his research has garnered significant attention with PlumX metrics showing:

• Multiple publications picked up by news outlets
• Substantial social media engagement (X, Bluesky)
• High Mendeley reader counts indicating scholarly impact
• Scopus citations accumulating rapidly for 2024-2025 publications

Dr. Liang actively collaborates across disciplines as evidenced by co-authorship with experts in virology, oncology, and gene therapy. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being through development of precision cancer therapeutics. Current research directions include advancing prime editing for clinical translation and exploring ADAR1 inhibitors in combination therapies.