We are interested in understanding the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms of sleep and learning-memory, as well as the novel targets and strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and intervention of sleep disorders and cognitive decline.

The neural circuits and molecular mechanisms underlying sleep regulation.

The interplay mechanisms between sleep, learning and memory, and other physiological functions.

CURRENT TITLES AND AFFILIATIONS:

2025/07-Present

Associate Professor (Tenure Track) / Research Professor

Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

PREVIOUS ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS:

2019/01-2025/09 Principal Investigator

Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING:

2012/07-2019/01 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biology

Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02453
Mentor: Leslie C. Griffith, MD, Ph.D.

EDUCATION:

2007/09-2012/07 Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China

Supervisor: Yuanye Ma, Ph.D.

2009/11-2012/03 Joint Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany

Supervisor: Hiromu Tanimoto, Ph.D.

1999/09-2003/06 B.S. in Biology, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China

OTHER WORKING EXPERIENCE:

2004/06-2007/08, Research Assistant/Director Assistant

Kunming Animal Museum, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China

2003/06-2004/06, High School Teacher

Shijiazhuang No.2 High School, Shijiazhuang, China

Selected publications

1. Lin Yan^#, Litao Wu^#, Xin Chen, Xiaojuan Su, Yuantao Li^*, Chang Liu^*. Diruetic hormone 31 regulates sleep and memory via distinct signaling pathways in Drosophila melanogaster. Neuroscience Bulletin, 2025. doi.org/10.1007/s12264-025-01476-3

2. Jiayue Gao, Tao Luo^*, Chang Liu^*. Insight of molecular and neural mechanisms of general anesthesia from invertebrate animal model. Zoological Research, 2025, 46(4):792-810. doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2025.021

3. Lin Yan, Litao Wu, Timothy D. Wiggin, Xiaojuan Su, Wei Yan, Hailiang Li, Lei Li, Zhonghua Lu, Yuantao Li, Zhiqiang Meng, Fang Guo, Fan Li^*, Leslie C. Griffith^*, Chang Liu^*. Brief disruption of activity in a subset of dopaminergic neurons during consolidation impairs long-term memory by fragmenting sleep. eLife, 2025, 14: RP104862. doi: 10.7554/eLife.104862.1

4. Dengyun Ge^#, Chuanliang Han^#, Chang Liu^*, Zhiqiang Meng^*. Neural oscillations in the somatosensory and motor cortex distinguish dexmedetomidine-induced anesthesia and sleep in rats. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 2025.31(2):e70262. doi: 10.1111/cns.70262

5. Litao Wu, Chang Liu^*. Integrated neural circuits of sleep and memory regulation in Drosophila. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 2023, 59:101105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2023.101105

6. Wei Yan, Hai Lin, Junwei Yu, Timothy D. Wiggin, Litao Wu, Zhiqiang Meng, Chang Liu^*, Leslie C. Griffith^*. Subtype-specific roles of ellipsoid body ring neurons in sleep regulation in Drosophila. Journal of Neuroscience, 2023, 43(5):764–786 (cover paper)

7. Zhiqiang Meng^*, Qing Li, Yuanye Ma, Chang Liu^*. Transcranial current stimulation of the frontal-parietal-temporal brain areas reduces cigarette consumption in abstinent heroin users. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2022, 152:321-325. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.06.045.

8. Chang Liu^*, Zhiqiang Meng^#, Timothy D. Wiggin^#, Junwei Yu, Fang Guo, Martha Reed, Yunpeng Zhang, Michael Rosbash, Leslie C. Griffith*. A serotonin-modulated circuit controls sleep architecture to regulate cognitive function independent of total sleep in Drosophila. Current Biology, 2019, 29(21):3635-3646.

9. Chang Liu, Paula R. Haynes, Nathan C. Donelson, Shani Aharon, Leslie C. Griffith^*. Sleep in populations of Drosophila melanogaster. eNeuro, 2015, 2 (4) e0071-15.2015

10. Chang Liu, Pierre-Yves Plaçais, Nobuhiro Yamagata, Barret D. Pfeiffer, Yoshinori Aso, Anja B. Friedrich, Igor Siwanowicz, Gerald M. Rubin, Thomas Préat, Hiromu Tanimoto^*. A subset of dopamine neurons signals reward for odour memory in Drosophila. Nature, 2012, 488(7412):512-6

Scientific research project (Ongoing)

1. PI, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

Specialized project, 82341248, “Unveiling the neural mechanisms of 5-HT7 in sleep apnea induced by arousal dysregulation”, 2024.01-2026.12, ￥1,000,000

2. PI, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

General project, 32371063, “Dissection of shared dopaminergic circuits in regulation and sleep architecture”, 2024.01-2027.12, ￥500,000

3. PI, Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation

General project, 2024A151501150, “Shared neural circuits of insomnia and memory impairment”,2024.01-2026.12, ￥150,000

Awards

Chinese Academy of Sciences Hundred Talents Program (CAS) (2021)

Outstanding Party Affairs Cadre (SIAT, CAS) (2022, 2023, 2025)

Outstanding Teaching Presence Award (SUAT/SIAT, CAS) (2021, 2022)

Educational Contribution Award (SUAT/SIAT, CAS) (2021, 2022)