Joanne Murphy-Ullrich, Ph.D., a professor emeritus in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, was recently elected by the British Society for Matrix Biology (BSMB) as its 2026 recipient of the BSMB Medal Award. This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of matrix biology through a distinguished career. Murphy-Ullrich will be recognized at the 2026 BSMB Spring Meeting in Manchester.
Recipients will have established international reputations and be acknowledged as having made groundbreaking contributions that have laid essential foundations in matrix biology. These leaders in the field will present their work at a BSMB meeting and provide a review for publication in the International Journal of Experimental Pathology (IJEP). The award consists of a medal, framed certificate and an amount of £1000.
Murphy-Ullrich, who retired in 2023, identified the cellular de-adhesive role for matricellular extracellular matrix proteins; discovered role of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) as an activator of latent TGF-β and elucidated its role in disease pathogenesis (fibrosis, cancer, glaucoma, wound healing) and development of therapeutics; discovered the role of the endoplasmic reticulum and calcium signaling protein calreticulin in regulation of TGF-β transcriptional stimulation of ECM proteins and collagen processing.
Murphy-Ullrich has held several leadership positions in the area of extracellular matrix biology. She was director of the UAB Cell Adhesion and Matrix Research Center and co-director of the BioMatrix Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Center. She has been active in the American Society for Matrix Biology (ASMB) and served as councilor, secretary/treasurer and president of ASMB. She is editor-in-chief of Matrix Biology and Matrix Biology Plus.
The British Society for Matrix Biology was formed to provide a forum for scientists with an interest in the extracellular matrix and to promote research and education in this field. The extracellular matrix is of fundamental importance for the physiology of multicellular organisms. It consists of collagens, proteoglycans and many other glycoproteins. These molecules are secreted by cells residing within connective tissues and organs of the body. The extracellular matrix provides structural support for the cells, as well as influencing important processes such as cell migration, proliferation and differentiation.