Winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 by: Claire Xue

On October 7th, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They won the prize for their discovery of the CRISPR / Cas9 genetic scissors which, according to chairman of the Nobel Committee of Chemistry Professor Claes Gustafsson, has “revolutionised the molecular life sciences.”

Genetic scissors can be specifically programmed to cut genomes. nobelprize.org

This powerful tool is huge for genome editing, allowing scientists to change the DNA of people, animals, plants, microorganisms with greater accuracy and in much shorter time. Scientists are able to wield the scissors by constructing guide RNA that takes them to the targeted gene. There the Cas9 scissors can make an exact cut, led by the guide RNA. At the site of the break, scientists can insert a designed DNA template that the cell will follow to fix the gene, successfully modifying the genetic code.

A template is created and placed at the cut to repair the DNA. nobelprize.org

Charpentier had found the genetic scissors while studying the harmful bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes. She discovered tracrRNA, an essential part of the bacteria’s CRISPR / Cas immune system that severed the DNA of viruses to disarm them. After publishing her work, she joined together with Doudna who was very experienced and knowledgeable about RNA. They were able to recreate a simplified version of the scissors, one that was easier to use.

Since that discovery in 2012, the CRISPR / Cas9 genetic scissors have been used widely in life sciences. For example, scientists have edited the code of crops to protect them against factors like bugs, drought, and mold. It also has brought up the hopes of curing genetic diseases, researchers already testing the tool on cancer cells. The scissors have greatly furthered gene therapy, and there is only more progress to come.

It is important to recognize these revolutionary discoveries and the scientists behind them. Charpentier and Doudna’s work is especially incredible because of its impact--the ability to modify life made faster and more precise. We can expect to see even more amazing advancements in life science thanks to this powerful tool, Charpentier, and Doudna.

Source:

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Media AB 2020. Sat. 31 Oct 2020. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2020/prize-announcement/