Ursula Jakob of the University of Michigan became an associate editor for the Journal of Biological Chemistry in September. She spoke with ASBMB Today about her lab’s work exploring molecular chaperones and mechanisms of bleach resistance in bacterial and human cells.

STORM Therapeutics has named Thomas Cech as a science adviser. Founded in 2015, STORM Therapeutics is a British-based developer of small-molecule inhibitors of RNA-modifying enzymes for the treatment of cancer. A leading figure in the field of RNA research, Cech shared the 1989 Nobel Prize in chemistry for discovering the catalytic properties of RNA.

Lynne Elizabeth Maquat  is one of 80 new members elected to the National Academy of Medicine. Maquat’s research focuses on RNA decay pathways in relation to human diseases.

Influential bioenergetics and enzyme kinetics researcher Harvey S. Penefsky passed away in July at the age of 92. Penefsky’s kinetic insights shaped the understanding of the mechanism of ATP synthase. This research provided the groundwork for Paul D. Boyer, who elucidated the enzymatic mechanism of ATP synthase.