Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier Win Nobel Prize in Chemistry
On October 7, 2020, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the year 2020 to Emmanuelle Charpentier from the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens in Berlin and Jennifer Doudna from the University of California, Berkeley. The two were awarded this esteemed honour for their development of CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors: a key development in genome editing. (Nobel Media AB 2020, 2020)
Modifying gene expression to control and uncover the function and behaviour of complex biological systems in organisms that have occurred for years has been a complex and lengthy process. However, the creation of a solution to shorten the process emerged in 2011 when Dr Charpentier and her team published their findings on a novel molecule known as Trans-activating crRNA (tracrRNA) in one of the most deadly species of bacteria. She discovered that this bacteria was able to prevent viruses from reproducing as it simply ‘cleaned’ out its DNA, acting as a kind of defence system of this bacteria. After this discovery, she started her collaboration with Dr Doudna, who is renowned for her expertise on RNA. Working together in 2012, the two artificially manufactured the bacteria’s genetic scissors in a test-tube and eventually reprogrammed the scissors such that they could cut any DNA molecule at any given site, rather than just targeting the DNA of viruses. By cutting DNA at a particular location, scientists can swiftly and effectively modify genes as per their desires. (Nobel Media AB, 2020)
The Nobel Committee recognised the impact of this technology by declaring that it “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” when announcing the recipients of the award. (Nell GreenFieldBoyce, 2020) This novel technology has already seen successful results in experimental treatment of sickle cell anaemia in June 2019 and will no doubt have countless future medical applications. (Rob Stein, 2020)
Dr Charpentier admitted that the idea that she might win a Nobel Prize had not hit her until she received a call from Goran K. Hansson, the Secretary-General of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to tell her the news. “I was very emotional, I have to say. Obviously, it’s real, so I have to get used to it now.”
Dr Doudna, while elated at the news, is wary about the ethical usage of this powerful tool. After hearing about the usage of these genetic scissors in the alteration of babies’ genomes, she has asked for the technology to be regulated and wrote, “ensuring responsible use of genome editing will enable CRISPR technology to improve the well-being of millions of people and fulfil its revolutionary potential.” The gene-editing technology developed by Charpentier and Doudna will no doubt revolutionize the medical field but could also pose an enormous threat to our society if used recklessly, and proper legislation must be put in place and upheld to ensure it is used safely and responsibly.
While the technology itself is revolutionary and deserves immense attention, the enormity of this moment cannot be ignored. From 1901 to 2020, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been given to 185 people, only 7 of whom have been women. Thus, the sharing of this honour by two women, particularly as the Nobel Committee looks to recognise the accomplishments of more women and people of colour, is a monumental step forward for women and other underrepresented minorities in STEM.
References:
- GreenFieldBoyce, N. (2020, October 7). 2 scientists awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry for genome editing research. NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/2020/10/07/921043046/2-female-scientists-awarded-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-for-genome-editing-research
- Nobel Media AB. (2020). Scientific Background on the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020. The official website of the Nobel Prize — NobelPrize.org. https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2020/10/advanced-chemistryprize2020.pdf
- Nobel Media AB 2020. (2020, October 7). The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020. NobelPrize.org. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2020/press-release
- Stein, R. (2020, June 23). A year in, 1st patient to get gene editing for sickle cell disease is thriving. NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/06/23/877543610/a-year-in-1st-patient-to-get-gene-editing-for-sickle-cell-disease-is-thriving
