Liana Lareau

Research Bio

A single genome produces the huge diversity of cells and tissues needed to make a human by regulating gene expression to turn on and off the right genes at the right times. The final, post-transcriptional steps of gene expression — RNA processing and translation — are essential to the proper outcome. Our goal is to understand how these layers of regulation are encoded in gene sequences and how disruptions to this regulation can cause disease. Our research uses machine learning and other computational methods, coupled with high-throughput experiments, to understand how post-transcriptional regulation leads to robust and flexible control of gene expression.

Research Expertise and Interest

computational biology, molecular biology

In the News

2025 MTI Innovator Awardees Announced

As federal research funding faces growing uncertainty, the Molecular Therapeutics Initiative (MTI) at UC Berkeley is stepping up to support bold scientific innovation.

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring
  • Introduction to Machine Learning for Computational Biology  [BIOENG 145]  

  • Undergraduate Design Research  [BIOENG 196]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [BIOENG 199]  

  • Introduction to Machine Learning for Computational Biology  [BIOENG 245]  

  • Individual Study or Research  [BIOENG 299]  

  • Honors Undergraduate Research  [BIOENG H194]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [MCELLBI 199]  

  • Research Review in Genetics and Development: RNA Systems Biology  [MCELLBI 249I]  

  • Research  [MCELLBI 292]  

  • Honors Research  [MCELLBI H196A]  

  • Honors Research  [MCELLBI H196B]  

2025 Fall
  • Undergraduate Design Research  [BIOENG 196]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [BIOENG 199]  

  • Individual Study or Research  [BIOENG 299]  

  • Computational Functional Genomics  [BIOENG C149]  

  • Computational Functional Genomics  [BIOENG C249]  

  • Honors Undergraduate Research  [BIOENG H194]  

  • Introduction to Research in Computational Biology  [CMPBIO 294A]  

  • Computational Functional Genomics  [CMPBIO C149]  

  • Computational Functional Genomics  [CMPBIO C249]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [MCELLBI 199]  

  • Research Review in Genetics and Development: RNA Systems Biology  [MCELLBI 249I]  

  • Graduate Seminar  [MCELLBI 290]  

  • Research  [MCELLBI 292]  

  • Honors Research  [MCELLBI H196A]  

2025 Summer
  • Individual Study or Research  [BIOENG 299]  

2025 Spring
  • Introduction to Machine Learning for Computational Biology  [BIOENG 145]  

  • Undergraduate Design Research  [BIOENG 196]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [BIOENG 199]  

  • Introduction to Machine Learning for Computational Biology  [BIOENG 245]  

  • Individual Study or Research  [BIOENG 299]  

  • Honors Undergraduate Research  [BIOENG H194]  

  • Supervised Independent Study and Research  [MCELLBI 199]  

  • Research Review in Genetics and Development: RNA Systems Biology  [MCELLBI 249I]  

  • Research  [MCELLBI 292]  

  • Honors Research  [MCELLBI H196A]  

  • Honors Research  [MCELLBI H196B]