Special seminar

The Department of Biochemistry will sponsor a special seminar September 14 by Professor Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, Nobel Laureate, and Institute Professor at the Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At noon that day in Spurlock Museum's Knight Auditorium, Professor Sharp will present the Biochemistry Friday seminar on The Emerging Biology of Short RNAs.

Endowment of Biochemistry Professorship

Dr. Sharp and his wife Ann will be on campus to attend the investiture of David M. Kranz as the Phillip A. Sharp Professor of Biochemistry, a professorship which they have endowed.

In a recent interview, Dr. Kranz remarked on being chosen for the Sharp professorship, "I am very honored that the department has named me for this award. Phil Sharp is a world-renowned scientist who received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of RNA splicing. He received his PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and very generously provided support for the professorship. I knew him when I was at MIT. He has a reputation for being not only a great scientist but a great mentor, so this is really an honor."

The investiture ceremony is Friday, September 14, 2007, 4:30 p.m., at Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory Street, with a reception immediately following. Chancellor Richard Herman, Dean Sarah Mangelsdorf, and other dignitaries will participate in the ceremony. RSVP acceptances only by September 7, 2007 to mkwilso@uiuc.edu.