Our research interests are centered on understanding the mechanism of gene expression by the enzyme RNA polymerase. We apply X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy techniques to reveal three-dimensional structures of bacterial, archaeal and bacteriophage RNA polymerases for elucidating the mechanism of RNA transcription and its regulation.

Open Positions (Postdoc, Graduate and Undergraduate students)

Latest news:

December 18, 2020: A manuscript reporting the structure and function of HelD, RNA polymerase binding ATP-dependent helicase is published. URee Chon, a former undergrad in my lab determined the X-ray crystal structure of a part of HelD.

November 30, 2020: A manuscript reporting the structure and function of archaeal general transcription factor TFEα is published.

November 25, 2020: Katsu Murakami named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

June 9, 2020: Yeonoh Shin presented a poster at the CHESS Users’ meeting and won a poster award. Congratulations!

May 9, 2020: Yeonoh Shin and Catherine Sutherland graduated Penn State BMMB program. Congratulations!

May 6, 2020: A manuscript reporting structural basis of ribosomal RNA transcription regulation is submitted. BioRxiv

March 1, 2020: Rishi Vishwakarma joined the Murakami and Babitzke’s labs as a research assistant professor. Welcome to Penn State!

Feb 21, 2020: Yeonoh passed his Ph. D. thesis defense. Congratulations!