Professor Lu has expertise in the fields of protein chemistry, molecular biology, cancer mechanisms involving p53, the most important tumor suppressor, and c-Myc, one of the important oncoproteins, and translational and pharmacological cancer research. His research has led to the identification of several important protein regulators of p53 and its homologs as well as c-Myc and provides insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer formation. One of his major contributions has been to uncover the previously under-appreciated ribosomal stress-p53 signaling pathway together with two other scientists. Part of his work will be useful for anti-cancer drug development. Recently his lab has identified a novel small molecule called Inauhzin that can suppress tumor growth by activating the p53 pathway as a potential anti-cancer drug candidate. Also, his lab has recently uncovered several novel p53 targets that play crucial roles in tumor development, progression and drug resistance and unveiled a unique mechanism underlying the gain of function (GOF) of a p53 hot spot mutation that is highly related to hepatitis-B virus (HBV)- and Aflatoxin B1- associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). His own and collaborative work has resulted in approximately 130 high-quality publications in scientific journals, such as Nature, Science, Cell, Molecular Cell, Cancer Cell, Nature Communication, EMBO J, PNAS, EMBO Reports, EMBO Molecular Medicine, eLIFE, MCB, JBC, Cancer Research, Cell Death and Differentiation, Oncogene, Developmental Biology, Scientific Reports, and others. Research Interests/Area of Study: Cancer Biology, Metabolism, Mechanisms and Therapeutics Discovery Involving p53 and c-Myc Pathways.