Telomerase studies led Collins to discoveries in genetic elements

Almost half the human genome owes its origin to retroelements — components of the eukaryotic genome capable of mobilizing via an RNA intermediate to other portions of genetic DNA, where they can be inserted.

Kathleen Collins

After two and a half decades of research on telomerase, the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomeric DNA integrity during replication, Kathleen Collins at the University of California, Berkeley, expanded her research to focus on genetic retroelements in eukaryotes. Collins’ journey into this largely unexplored field began about five years ago, after she and her colleagues reached long-sought insights in their telomerase research.

“Our time studying telomerase provided us expertise, for example, a better understanding of protein–RNA interactions,” Collins said, “and we wanted to know if we can answer questions about retroelements using our knowledge of telomerase.”

For her contributions to telomerase and the RNA field, Collins will receive the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s 2022 Earl and Thressa Stadtman Distinguished Scientist Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in basic research.

Collins comes from a family of academics; however, her interest in biology emerged from a love of science, technology, engineering and math as well as learning and the pursuit of truth. As a researcher and educator, Collins encourages her students to place themselves continuously in the way of information — for example, at conferences and office hours or with experts and peers — because a person never knows where their best lessons will come from.

“The number of insights I have had in my work that came from lecturing or preparing to teach, are huge,” she said. “It’s why I believe teaching and research go so well together.”

As a mentor, Collins enjoys sharing advice; she motivates her students to put themselves out there with regard to science, reminding them that they needn’t be shy or worry about imposing as long as they are respectful. One motto she shares with students: “No question is too stupid, except one that goes unasked.”