On the next edition of Fiat Lux Redux, Tuesday, February 3rd at 9 AM, Nobel Laureate Randy Schekman, professor of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley, shares the story behind his 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of how yeast membranes work—a joint honor shared with James E. Rothman and Thomas C. Südhoff.
Schekman’s curiosity driven research proved that yeast cells use the same transport machinery as human cells, enabling the use of yeast as a biological factory. His groundbreaking research into “vesicle traffic” revealed how cells sort, package, and deliver molecular cargo via a precise internal transport system. By identifying defects in yeast cell transport, Schekman mapped out the genetic machinery essential to this process—discoveries that have since illuminated the roots of neurological disorders, diabetes, and immunological conditions. Furthermore, his work with yeast revolutionized the biotechnology industry, enabling the production of life-saving protein drugs like insulin and the hepatitis B vaccine as well as advances in food and fuel production.
This Berkeley Talks lecture took place November 7, 2025, and was sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Fiat Lux Redux presents previously aired lectures, conversations, and podcasts originating on the campus of UC Berkeley every other Tuesday from 9am to 9:30am. These often-lengthy original programs have been edited to a 30-minute format by experienced KALX producers. The show’s name, Latin for “Let there be light”, is a reference to the University of California’s motto, which is also Fiat Lux. The show’s goal is to provide listeners with a window into the intellectual and cultural life of UC Berkeley and to showcase the wide range of subjects and diversity of thought and ideas that are present at UC Berkeley.
This program was edited by Lisa Katovich. If you have questions or comments about Fiat Lux Redux, contact lisa.katovich@gmail.com.
