Liu Group’s current research projects focus on the development and applications of a novel MRI technique, chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). His team is currently developing a variety of nanoparticle-based CEST imaging probes with low toxicity, high sensitivity and high specificity, and exploring the biomedical applications of these new imaging probes. In addition, the team is also interested in exploring the biomedical uses of endogenous CEST contrast; one of their ongoing projects examines the use of the endogenous CEST MRI signal of bacterial organisms to detect and monitor bacterial infection in rodent models.