Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020: CRISPR/Cas9 method for genome editing


Date:
October 7, 2020
Source:
Nobel Foundation
Summary:
This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry is being awarded to Emmanuelle
Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the development of the
CRISPR/Cas9 method for genome editing.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== [CRISPR/Cas9 gene | Credit: (c) wladimir1804 / stock.adobe.com]
CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, concept illustration (stock image).

Credit: (c) wladimir1804 / stock.adobe.com [CRISPR/Cas9 gene | Credit:
(c) wladimir1804 / stock.adobe.com] CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, concept illustration (stock image).

Credit: (c) wladimir1804 / stock.adobe.com Close The Royal Swedish Academy
of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 to Emmanuelle Charpentier, Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens,
Berlin, Germany, and Jennifer A. Doudna, University of California,
Berkeley, USA "for the development of a method for genome editing."

========================================================================== Genetic scissors: a tool for rewriting the code of life Emmanuelle
Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna have discovered one of gene
technology's sharpest tools: the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors. Using
these, researchers can change the DNA of animals, plants and
microorganisms with extremely high precision. This technology has had a revolutionary impact on the life sciences, is contributing to new cancer therapies and may make the dream of curing inherited diseases come true.

Researchers need to modify genes in cells if they are to find out about
life's inner workings. This used to be time-consuming, difficult and
sometimes impossible work. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors, it
is now possible to change the code of life over the course of a few weeks.

"There is enormous power in this genetic tool, which affects us all. It
has not only revolutionised basic science, but also resulted in innovative crops and will lead to ground-breaking new medical treatments," says
Claes Gustafsson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.

As so often in science, the discovery of these genetic scissors was
unexpected.

During Emmanuelle Charpentier's studies of Streptococcus pyogenes, one
of the bacteria that cause the most harm to humanity, she discovered
a previously unknown molecule, tracrRNA. Her work showed that tracrRNA
is part of bacteria's ancient immune system, CRISPR/Cas, that disarms
viruses by cleaving their DNA.

Charpentier published her discovery in 2011. The same year, she initiated
a collaboration with Jennifer Doudna, an experienced biochemist with vast knowledge of RNA. Together, they succeeded in recreating the bacteria's
genetic scissors in a test tube and simplifying the scissors' molecular components so they were easier to use.

In an epoch-making experiment, they then reprogrammed the genetic
scissors. In their natural form, the scissors recognise DNA from viruses,
but Charpentier and Doudna proved that they could be controlled so that
they can cut any DNA molecule at a predetermined site. Where the DNA is
cut it is then easy to rewrite the code of life.

Since Charpentier and Doudna discovered the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors
in 2012 their use has exploded. This tool has contributed to many
important discoveries in basic research, and plant researchers have
been able to develop crops that withstand mould, pests and drought. In medicine, clinical trials of new cancer therapies are underway, and
the dream of being able to cure inherited diseases is about to come
true. These genetic scissors have taken the life sciences into a new
epoch and, in many ways, are bringing the greatest benefit to humankind.

Emmanuelle Charpentier, born 1968 in Juvisy-sur-Orge, France. Ph.D. 1995
from Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. Director of the Max Planck Unit
for the Science of Pathogens, Berlin, Germany.

Jennifer A. Doudna, born 1964 in Washington, D.C, USA. Ph.D. 1989
from Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. Professor at the University
of California, Berkeley, USA and Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical
Institute.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Nobel_Foundation. Note: Content may
be edited for style and length.


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Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201007083443.htm

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