Dr. Jennifer Doudna: A co-recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Doudna’s pioneering work on the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system has revolutionized genetic research.
Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier: Alongside Doudna, Charpentier was awarded the Nobel for her role in the CRISPR breakthrough. Her studies provided key insights into the CRISPR system’s molecular mechanisms.
Dr. Feng Zhang: At the Broad Institute and MIT, Zhang has been a significant player in adapting CRISPR for use in mammalian cells, widening its application in biomedical research.
Dr. George Church: A professor at Harvard and MIT, Church’s work spans multiple areas of genetics, including gene editing and gene drives. He’s known for his efforts in genome sequencing and gene editing for therapeutics.
Dr. Virginijus Siksnys: Often considered the third, less-publicized pioneer of CRISPR, Siksnys independently discovered and described the CRISPR mechanism in parallel to Doudna and Charpentier.
Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou: Working on CRISPR’s natural bacterial immune functions, Barrangou’s insights have been foundational in understanding the broader CRISPR system.
Dr. Prashant Mali: A key collaborator with Zhang at MIT, Mali has been instrumental in adapting and refining CRISPR methodologies for varied applications, including gene drives.
Dr. J. Keith Joung: A researcher at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Joung’s work focuses on improving the precision and safety of CRISPR systems, ensuring they’re effective and safe for therapeutic use.
Dr. Jacob Corn: As the Scientific Director of the Innovative Genomics Institute, Corn’s research addresses both the fundamental mechanisms of CRISPR systems and their therapeutic applications.
Dr. Jonathan Weissman: At the Whitehead Institute, Weissman has been pivotal in leveraging CRISPR for genome-wide screens, uncovering gene functions across different organisms.
