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Abstract

Messenger RNA (mRNA), this ephemeral substance of life, is at the center of eukaryotic gene expression. Ephemeral as well are our lives, and precious is the time we have. We mourn the passing of Elisa Izaurralde at the age of only 58, a pioneer and a powerhouse in the field of RNA biology.
It is difficult to imagine where the field would stand today without Elisa’s dedication, her energy, and her seminal contributions to so many aspects of mRNA regulation. Her work provided insights into nuclear export, mRNA quality control, translational repression of mRNA by small RNAs and specialized proteins, and multiple aspects of mRNA decay, including 3′-deadenylation and 5′-decapping. She was broadly influential, not just for the importance, quality, and breadth of her work but also for her service to the community. She served on important panels and organized a number of meetings, and her opinions gave orientation to the field. At the height of her career, she was stopped by an aggressive cancer. We will remember her as an exceptional scientist, a generous colleague and collaborator, and a dear friend.