Jennifer Doudna, Emmanuelle Charpentier, and the CRISPR Scissors
Jennifer Doudna, Emmanuelle Charpentier, and the CRISPR Scissors
Two scientists on separate continents discover how bacteria use CRISPR and Cas9 to fight viruses, then reprogram the system into a tool that can edit any gene in any living thing.
Jennifer Doudna grew up in Hawaii, fascinated by the living world around her.
Jennifer Doudna grew up in Hawaii, fascinated by the living world around her.
She became a biochemist who studied how RNA molecules work inside cells.
She became a biochemist who studied how RNA molecules work inside cells.
Emmanuelle Charpentier grew up in France and studied how bacteria defend themselves against viruses.
Emmanuelle Charpentier grew up in France and studied how bacteria defend themselves against viruses.
Bacteria had developed a clever immune system called CRISPR.
Bacteria had developed a clever immune system called CRISPR.
When a virus attacked, bacteria used a protein called Cas9 to cut apart the virus DNA like molecular scissors.
When a virus attacked, bacteria used a protein called Cas9 to cut apart the virus DNA like molecular scissors.
A short RNA molecule acted as a guide, telling Cas9 exactly where to cut.
A short RNA molecule acted as a guide, telling Cas9 exactly where to cut.
Jennifer and Emmanuelle met at a conference in Puerto Rico in 2011 and realised they could combine their knowledge.
Jennifer and Emmanuelle met at a conference in Puerto Rico in 2011 and realised they could combine their knowledge.
They asked: what if they could reprogram the guide RNA to target any DNA sequence they chose?
They asked: what if they could reprogram the guide RNA to target any DNA sequence they chose?
Working in their separate labs, they designed a system that could cut any gene at any precise location.
Working in their separate labs, they designed a system that could cut any gene at any precise location.
In 2012, they published their landmark paper showing that CRISPR-Cas9 could be programmed to edit DNA.
In 2012, they published their landmark paper showing that CRISPR-Cas9 could be programmed to edit DNA.
Scientists around the world used the tool to fix faulty genes in plants, animals, and human cells.
Scientists around the world used the tool to fix faulty genes in plants, animals, and human cells.
Doctors began testing CRISPR to treat genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia.
Doctors began testing CRISPR to treat genetic diseases like sickle cell anaemia.
But Jennifer and Emmanuelle reminded the world that such a powerful tool must be used responsibly.
But Jennifer and Emmanuelle reminded the world that such a powerful tool must be used responsibly.
In 2020, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
In 2020, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
They were the first two women to share a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
They were the first two women to share a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
They smiled, knowing that the hardest and most important work was just beginning.
They smiled, knowing that the hardest and most important work was just beginning.
Moral: The greatest tools demand the greatest care in the hands that hold them.
Moral: The greatest tools demand the greatest care in the hands that hold them.