Carlos Bustamante receives 2021 Kazuhiko Kinosita Award in single-molecule biophysics

March 4, 2021

Carlos J. Bustamante

Professor Carlos Bustamante. Image courtesy of the College of Chemistry

The Biophysical Society is pleased to announce that Carlos Bustamante, the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Professor in Biophysics and professor of Chemistry, Physics and Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley has received the 2021 Kazuhiko Kinosita Award in Single-Molecule Biophysics. Bustamante was honored at the Society’s 65th Annual Meeting held virtually in February 2021.

The award recognizes researchers for their exceptional contributions in advancing the field of single-molecule biophysics. Prof. Bustamante  was cited for his pioneering work in measuring and understanding orientations, rotations, and dynamics of motor proteins by developing and using single-molecule imaging approaches. “The collective insight that Carlos has provided in all of his systems of study has uniquely contributed to our mechanistic understanding of biological function,” said Biophysical Society president Catherine Royer. “Carlos’ work stands out due to his experimental creativity and the breadth and depth of his studies. We are excited to celebrate this work and its importance in this field.”

The Award, founded in 2016, recognizes outstanding researchers for their exceptional contributions in advancing the field of single-molecule biophysics. 

“This award honors the legacy of Professor Kazuhiko Kinosita, whose cross-disciplinary approaches, single-molecule studies, and especially his spirit of curiosity, have inspired generations of biophysicists” President Royer commented.

About the award

The Kazuhiko Kinosita Award in Single-Molecule Biophysics recognizes outstanding researchers for their exceptional contributions in advancing the field of single-molecule biophysics. This award honors the life and work of Professor Kazuhiko Kinosita, Jr., who helped to establish the field. The award is intended to encourage investigators, to promote further developments in single-molecule biophysics, to advance the type of cross-disciplinary research that is characteristic of this field, and to elevate an appreciation of single-molecule studies among scientists in general.