Lynne Maquat Honored for Outstanding RNA Research Contributions

Lynne Maquat, the J. Lowell Orbison Endowed Chair and Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of Rochester in New York, has been named one of three recipients of the 2024 Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research. The annual award recognizes extraordinary and sustained contributions to improving health care while promoting innovative biomedical research.

Over 40 years ago, Dr. Maquat discovered the biological process known as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Since then, she has continued to conduct extensive research surrounding the mechanisms of RNA that have led to the understanding and treatment of a wide range of diseases including cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and cancer, as well as intellectual disabilities such as autism.

In addition to her primary appointment in biochemistry and biophysics, Dr. Maquat holds affiliate appointments with the University of Rochester’s pediatric and oncology departments. She also serves as the founding director of the Center for RNA Biology and founding chair of the Graduate Women in Science program. She is a member of several professional organizations including the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine.

Dr. Maquat received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Connecticut and her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.