Ed. Print is a “BIOTECH REVOLUTION”
The winning: Emmanuelle Charpentier (r.) and Jennifer A. Doudna (l.). – Advertising Agency
Madrid <- - end pub!> | AFP
The French and US Biochemical, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna, yesterday won the prize Princesa Asturias Scientific and Technical Research to develop a technology of genetic modification is “a biotechnological revolution”.
This technology, called CRISPR-Cas system, “can remove, activate, inactivate, even correct any gene “and” This opens the possibility of developing treatments targeting genetic diseases that currently lack effective therapies, “said the jury.
These diseases include cancer, cystic fibrosis or severe immunodeficiency syndrome Combined, he explained the Princess of Asturias Foundation said in a statement.
The award for scientific and technical research is the fourth of eight each year since 1981 awarded the Prince of Asturias Foundation, now renamed Princess Foundation Asturias in honor of the small Leonor de Borbón, 9, new heir to the throne of Spain after the proclamation of his father, Philip VI, as the new monarch in June.
Emmanuelle Charpentier
Born December 11, 1968 in Juvisy-sur-Orge (France), Charpentier doctorate in microbiology at the Pasteur Institute Paris and continued his studies in several US centers. Then he returned to Europe where he continued his career in Vienna, Umea (Sweden) and Hannover (Germany), where he currently works.
Jennifer Doudna
On part, Jennifer Doudna (Washington, 1964) PhD in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard.
He worked as a teacher and researcher at the University of Colorado and Yale and since 2003 directs the division of biochemistry at the university of California at Berkeley.
“I hope this recognition of science and technology inspire young scientists to continue investigating a spirit of adventure,” Doudna said in a statement released by the foundation.
A true revolution
Along with their research teams studied “how certain bacteria defend themselves from viruses that infect them, destroying DNA the same recognizing some of its specific characteristics, “said the jury.
Following these findings, the two scientists decided to join forces to develop a technology of genetic edition inspired by this defense mechanism that” allows inactivate or modify genes with precision and ease never achieved before, “the foundation said.
” This is a universally applicable method based on the design of small RNA molecules that guide the enzyme Cas9 to act on DNA, allowing to modify genes in the cells themselves, “said the jury, defining the discovery as” a revolution in molecular biology. “
This technique has already been applied to human cells in lab and to correct genetic defects in mice, but its use to other sectors such as livestock and agriculture also expanded.
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