Biologics Regulation and ResearchThe People and Work of Buildings 29 & 29A

Darrell T. Liu, Ph.D. (1932-still living)

Darrell T. Liu received his Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1961. He then completed post-graduate training in protein biochemistry at the Rockefeller University from 1961 to 1965 under Nobel Laureate Professors Stanford Moore and William H. Stein. He taught at Rockefeller University from 1965 to 1967 as an assistant professor of biochemistry. Liu then worked as a senior biochemist at Brookhaven National Laboratory from 1967 to 1973.

In 1973, Liu joined the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) as the section head of Biochemistry. Just a year later, he joined the NIH biologics group, which had transferred to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and called the Bureau of Biologics. There Liu served as deputy director, Division of Bacterial Products. Today, the Bureau of Biologics is called the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

professional photo of Darrell Liu in suit and tie

Darrell Liu in the 1992 FDA Directory FDA History Office

Liu is known for his research on human C-reactive protein and inflammation, his work on molecular cloning and protein biosynthesis, and his collaborative efforts in the development of immunogenic conjugates for Plasmodium (malaria) proteins.

He has published more than 120 papers and co-edited six books. Liu also served as an adjunct professor of chemistry at Catholic University of America since 1978 and has been a visiting professor at numerous universities abroad. He was a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Biological Chemistry from 1984 through at least 2005.

He received the FDA Commissioner's Citation and other recognitions in 1981, 1985, and 1987.

Liu became the first director of the Division of Biochemistry and Biophysics in 1980. He was previously the deputy director of the Division of Bacterial Products and Chief of the Biochemistry Branch in the same division.

Dr. Liu worked in Building 29, Rooms 516, 425, and 129.

Publications:

“Consideration of the Proteins and Peptides Produced by New Technology for use as Therapeutics” by Darrell T. Liu, Neil Goldman, and Frederick Gates III, a chapter in Delivery Systems for Peptide Drugs (1986). https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4757-9960-6_30.