Lynne E. Maquat

Lynne Maquat, Ph.D

Lynne E. Maquat is an American molecular biologist known for her pioneering work in the field of RNA biology. She is a professor at the University of Rochester and the founding director of the Center for RNA Biology. Maquat's research has significantly advanced the understanding of RNA degradation mechanisms, particularly nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD).

Early Life and Education

Lynne E. Maquat was born in Buffalo, New York. She earned her B.S. degree in biology from the University at Buffalo, and her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Maquat conducted postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She then joined the faculty at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center before moving to the University of Rochester.

Research Contributions

Maquat is best known for her discovery and characterization of the NMD pathway, a critical cellular process that degrades mRNA molecules containing premature stop codons. This pathway is essential for maintaining the quality of gene expression and preventing the production of truncated, potentially harmful proteins.

Her work has implications for understanding and treating various genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and certain types of cancer.

Awards and Honors

Lynne E. Maquat has received numerous awards for her contributions to science, including:

• The Gairdner Foundation International Award
• The Wolf Prize in Medicine
• Election to the National Academy of Sciences
• Election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Personal Life

Maquat is married and has two children. She is an advocate for women in science and has mentored many young scientists throughout her career.

Selected Publications

Maquat has authored numerous influential papers in high-impact scientific journals. Some of her notable publications include:

• "Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay: splicing, translation and mRNP dynamics"
• "The pioneer round of translation: features and functions"

See Also

• RNA interference
• Gene expression
• Post-transcriptional regulation