Dr. Jennifer Doudna is a biochemist at the University of California, Berkeley. She and her collaborator Emmanuelle Charpentier each earned a Nobel Prize for their work developing a technology called CRISPR-Cas9. This technology allows researchers to edit DNA.
WHEN YOU WERE A KID, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP, AND WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN SCIENCE?
I didn’t always dream of being a scientist. I loved reading and thought I might become a writer or teacher. But when I was in sixth grade, my dad left a book on my bed called The Double Helix about how scientists discovered the structure of DNA. That book, the encouragement from my 10th-grade teacher, Miss Wong, and the fascinating biodiversity all around me in Hawaii changed everything. I was amazed that you could figure out how life works just by asking questions and doing experiments.
WHAT WAS THE MOST EXICITING "EUKEKA!" MOMENT IN YOUR RESEARCH?
The most thrilling moment was realizing that we could actually program the CRISPR system to cut DNA at specific places we chose. It was like discovering we’d found molecular scissors that we could guide to exactly the right spot. I remember thinking: This could change medicine and agriculture forever. And it's happening!
HOW WOULD YOU EXPLIAN CRISPR TO CHILDREN? WHAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR THEM TO IMAGINE IT?
Think of DNA as an instruction book for your body. Sometimes there are typos in the book that can cause problems. CRISPR is like tiny molecular scissors paired with a GPS navigation system. It can find the typo, cut it out, and help your cells fix the mistake. It’s basically a search-and-replace tool for the code of life.
HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME INTERESTED IN THIS TECHNOLOGY? AND HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO DEVELOP? WHAT STEPS DID YOU HAVE TO TAKE TO GET FROM THE INITIAL DISCOVERY TO USE IN HUMANS?
I was studying how bacteria protect themselves from viruses and discovered they had this amazing immune system using CRISPR. The big breakthrough came in 2011 when my colleague Emmanuelle Charpentier and I figured out how to program it. From that discovery to the first breakthrough medicines for patients took just over 10 years. That’s incredibly fast for science, where medical breakthroughs typically take decades.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CAN HAVE BOTH EXCITING POSSIBILITIES AND BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFETY. ARE THERE ANY SAFETY CONCERNS OR DANGERS WITH THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY? IF SO, WHAT ARE THEY?
Yes, and it’s really important we think about them carefully. We need to make sure any changes we make to DNA are safe and only affect what we intend. We also need to think about fairness and making sure CRISPR technology helps everyone, not just some people. That’s why my Innovative Genomics Institute team and I work with other scientists, doctors, and ethics experts to help shape guidelines for using CRISPR responsibly.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING WAYS CRISPR COULD BE USED TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE?
CRISPR is already being used to treat sickle cell disease, diseases of the liver, and certain types of blindness. In the future, it could help cure many genetic diseases, fight cancer, and maybe even help us grow organs for transplant. We might also use it to make crops more nutritious or create biofuels that are better for the environment.
WHEN YOU AREN'T WORKING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?
I love being outdoors—hiking, biking, and spending time with my family. I also love to travel and learn about different cultures. And I still love to read, just like when I was a kid!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A KID WHO IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SCIENTIST?
Stay curious! Ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid if you don’t know the answers—that’s what science is all about. Read everything you can, try experiments, and remember that making mistakes is how we learn. Also, find mentors and friends who share your interests. Science is much more fun when you're working with a team.