The development of a technology that allows you to edit the nucleic acids with high accuracy and has been considered one of the most important biotechnological discoveries of the century represented them Emmanuelle Charpentier biochemical and Princess Jennifer Doudna Award Asturias Scientific and Technical Research 2015.
The technique created by Charpentier (France) and Doudna (US), called CRISPR-Cas9, gives the possibility of ‘copy and paste’ remove, activate, inactivate and even correct any gene, leading to various applications in both basic research and agriculture, livestock and biomedicine.
According to the department of biochemistry at the University California, where Doudna teaches, this method allows to develop gene therapies and treatments in diseases such as cancer. Today it is the most valuable tool to modify tumor cells and render them sensitive to chemotherapy.
But its usefulness is not only in the doctor. It also lets you create, for example, disease-resistant wheat and even cut the HIV virus.
Charpentier, 47, a microbiologist specializing in biochemistry and viruses It is one of the most innovative research in the field of gene therapy, which in 2002 established its own working group and has been linked to various universities in Austria and Germany.
Doudna, 51, PhD in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard, is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also directs the Division of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology.
The candidacy of these two researchers was proposed by the chairman of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), Jerónimo López Martínez, I clearly won the remaining 38 nominations and came forward unanimously by the jury.
From the United States, biochemistry Jennifer Doudna noted that the award “underlines the importance of science in society. Hopefully inspire the work of the next generation of scientists, “he said.
For its part, the French Emmanuelle Charpentier said the” recognition “which means this distinction personally and for microbiology . Besides the personal value, considered the award “truly recognizes the fundamental science behind this discovery.”
The neurobiologist Mara Dierssen Sotos, who was part of the jury, described as ” revolutionary “technique developed by award-winning biochemical. For this student of the genetic basis of disability, his technique to edit the genome has made a “breakthrough” for those who, like her, working in the field of molecular biology, neuroscience, cancer or rare diseases.
This award was the fourth of eight be failed convenes annually Princess of Asturias Foundation, which this year reaches its XXXV edition.
Like the other seven awards granted by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, the award is endowed with a sculpture by Joan Miró, 50,000 euros, a diploma and a badge.
EFE
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