Roeder wins Kyoto Prize; Murolo promoted at Wesleyan
Roeder wins Kyoto Prize
, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Rockefeller University in New York City, has received the 2021 in the life sciences. He is recognized for his work on gene transcription mechanisms in eukaryotic cells.

Roeder has been involved in transcription research for 50 years. He earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1969 from the University of Washington and spent over a decade as a professor at Washington University School of Medicine before joining the Rockefeller faculty in 1982.
Roeder’s best known earlier discovery was that there are three distinct RNA polymerases, known as Pols I, II and III, that transcribe different types of genes in eukaryotes. He later developed cell-free systems to study transcription and used them to identify transcription factors required for polymerases to work. His lab also identified transcription regulators such as gene- and cell-specific activators and coactivators, whose biological functions and mechanism of action are the focus of his current research.
"It is truly gratifying to have this biochemical work, which laid the foundations for many current studies of gene expression through advanced technologies, recognized with this prize," Roeder said in a statement, adding that he is grateful to his mentors, his graduate and postdoctoral trainees, and the Inamori Foundation, which sponsors the prize.
The Kyoto Prize consists of a medal, a calligraphic diploma and 100 million yen (about $910,000). The foundation and prize were established in 1984 by a donation from Kyocera corporation founder and CEO Kazuo Inamori to recognize research in basic sciences, technology, and the arts and philosophy that contribute to the betterment of society. Ordinarily, laureates present an award lecture in Kyoto; this year, their lectures will be livestreamed.
Murolo promoted at Wesleyan

Michelle Murolo has been promoted from associate to full professor of the practice in molecular biology and biochemistry at Wesleyan University. (Professor of the practice is a title for full-time non–tenure-track teaching faculty.)
Murolo teaches the introductory biology lecture and runs all of the lab course at Wesleyan. You can see in a video showcasing her introductory biology class, which went hybrid during the pandemic.
In addition, Murolo advises and coordinates about 15 teaching assistants each semester and advises the molecular biology and biochemistry student group The Major Groove, which is Wesleyan’s Student Chapter of the 精品国产一区二区桃色.
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in molecular science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Murolo earned her Ph.D. in microbiology at Yale University studying bacterial cell morphogenesis.
Enjoy reading ASBMB Today?
Become a member to receive the print edition four times a year and the digital edition monthly.
Learn moreGet the latest from ASBMB Today
Enter your email address, and we鈥檒l send you a weekly email with recent articles, interviews and more.
Latest in People
People highlights or most popular articles

In memoriam: Ralph G. Yount
He was a professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry at Washington State University and an ASBMB member for 58 years.

From dust to discovery
From makeshift classrooms in Uganda to postdoctoral research in Chicago, MOSAIC scholar Elizabeth Kaweesa builds a legacy in women鈥檚 health.

Fliesler wins scientific and ethical awards
He is being honored by the University at Buffalo and the American Oil Chemists' Society for his scientific achievements and ethical integrity.

Hope for a cure hangs on research
Amid drastic proposed cuts to biomedical research, rare disease families like Hailey Adkisson鈥檚 fight for survival and hope. Without funding, science can鈥檛 鈥渃atch up鈥 to help the patients who need it most.

Before we鈥檝e lost what we can鈥檛 rebuild: Hope for prion disease
Sonia Vallabh and Eric Minikel, a husband-and-wife team racing to cure prion disease, helped develop ION717, an antisense oligonucleotide treatment now in clinical trials. Their mission is personal 鈥 and just getting started.

ASBMB members recognized as Allen investigators
Ileana Cristea, Sarah Cohen, Itay Budin and Christopher Obara are among 14 researchers selected as Allen Distinguished Investigators by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.