Cynthia Wolberger

Wolberger-Oct2018 copy

Cynthia Wolberger is an American biochemist and molecular biologist known for her research in the field of structural biology. She is a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a member of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Education and Early Career

Wolberger received her B.S. in Physics from Cornell University. She then pursued her Ph.D. in Biophysics at Harvard University, where she worked under the supervision of Stephen C. Harrison. Her doctoral research focused on the structural analysis of protein-DNA interactions.

Research and Contributions

Wolberger's research primarily focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation and ubiquitin signaling. She has made significant contributions to the understanding of how transcription factors interact with DNA and how post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination and acetylation regulate protein function.

Structural Biology of Transcriptional Regulation

One of Wolberger's notable achievements is her work on the structural basis of transcriptional regulation. She has elucidated the structures of several key transcriptional complexes, providing insights into how these complexes control gene expression. Her research has implications for understanding diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Ubiquitin Signaling

Wolberger has also made significant contributions to the field of ubiquitin signaling. Her work has revealed the structural mechanisms by which ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins modify target proteins, thereby regulating their stability, localization, and activity. This research is crucial for understanding cellular processes such as protein degradation, DNA repair, and cell cycle control.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Wolberger has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to science. These include the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's William C. Rose Award and election to the National Academy of Sciences.

Personal Life

Wolberger is married and has two children. She is also an advocate for women in science and actively mentors young scientists.

See Also

• Structural biology
• Transcriptional regulation
• Ubiquitin
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute