Dr Venki Ramakrishnan, Joint Head of the LMB’s Structural Studies Division, has been honoured with a knighthood in the New Year Honours List 2012. The award is for services to molecular biology.
Venki’s research focuses on the structure and function of the ribosome. This complex structure, found in multiple copies in every living cell, translates the DNA code into life, producing tens of thousands of different proteins that in turn control the chemistry in all living organisms. This research shed light on the role of the ribosome in the decoding of mRNA and on antibiotic function. This information is critical in developing new antibiotics to combat infection and disease.
Venki shared the 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his role in determining the atomic structure of the ribosome.
On receiving the knighthood, Venki commented: “This is an honour that reflects the quality of science supported by the Medical Research Council, in particular at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. In my case, credit should go to the numerous dedicated postdocs, students, associates and colleagues who made crucial contributions to the work.”