Charles Yanofsky

Charles Yanofsky (1925-) is a leading American geneticist.

Born in New York, Yanofsky studied at the City College of New York and at Yale University.

In 1964, Yanofsky and colleagues established that gene sequences and protein sequences are colinear: changes in DNA sequence can produce changes in protein sequence at corresponding positions. His work has revealed how controlled alterations in RNA structure allow RNA to serve as a regulatory molecule in both bacterial and animal cells.

Yanofsky was elected a foreign member of the Royal Society in 1985 and was one of the recipients of the 2003 National Medal of Science awards.