Jennifer Doudna, PhD | UCSF Medal Recipient

Summary

Jennifer Doudna shares her journey from a curious child in Hawaii to a pioneering scientist at the forefront of CRISPR technology. Reflecting on her experiences, she highlights key moments including her early education, her groundbreaking work with Emmanuelle Charpentier that led to the discovery of genome editing, and the honor of receiving the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Through her role at the University of California and the Innovative Genomics Institute, she is committed to making CRISPR technology accessible and affordable, continuing her passion for science and education.

Takeaways

• 😀 Doudna's early curiosity about science was sparked by her upbringing in Hilo, Hawaii, a place rich in native plants and animals.
• 😀 She was inspired by a high school chemistry teacher, which set her on the path toward becoming a biochemist.
• 😀 Doudna’s interest in the chemistry of life led her to pursue her academic studies at Pomona College and Harvard Medical School.
• 😀 Her groundbreaking research in CRISPR began at UC Berkeley, where she collaborated with Jill Banfield on adaptive immune systems in bacteria.
• 😀 CRISPR technology, which Doudna co-developed with Emmanuelle Charpentier, has transformed genetic engineering by enabling precise genome editing.
• 😀 In 2020, Doudna and Charpentier were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery of CRISPR-Cas9.
• 😀 Doudna emphasizes the collaborative and competitive nature of scientific discovery, drawing inspiration from the history of DNA research.
• 😀 She values public institutions, believing that scientific advancements like CRISPR should be accessible to all, regardless of background or resources.
• 😀 The Innovative Genomics Institute, founded by Doudna, aims to make CRISPR technology widely available and affordable.
• 😀 Doudna remains passionate about education, mentoring the next generation of scientists while continuing her own research at UC Berkeley.

Q & A

What initially sparked Jennifer Doudna's curiosity in science?

Jennifer Doudna's curiosity in science was sparked by growing up in Hilo, Hawaii, where the native plants and animals led her to wonder about the chemistry behind organisms that could survive in such an isolated environment.

How did Doudna's high school experience influence her career?

Doudna credits a wonderful chemistry teacher in high school with inspiring her to pursue science. This experience led her to wonder whether she could one day be a scientist who studied the chemistry of life.

What role did 'The Double Helix' play in Doudna's decision to study science?

'The Double Helix' by James Watson inspired Doudna by showing her how scientific discoveries are driven by experimentation and the collaboration and competition between scientists.

What was the significance of Doudna's work with Jack Szostak?

Working with Jack Szostak at Harvard Medical School, Doudna was introduced to the study of cell division and the origin of life, marking an important step in her scientific career.

Why did Doudna choose to work at the University of California Berkeley?

Doudna was drawn to the beauty of Berkeley, its exciting science culture, and the collaborative nature of the faculty, which ultimately made her decide to accept a job offer there over one from Yale University.

What key discovery did Doudna make in collaboration with Jill Banfield?

Doudna and Jill Banfield's research uncovered evidence of an adaptive immune system in bacteria, which later led to the investigation of CRISPR systems.

How did Doudna come to collaborate with Emmanuelle Charpentier?

Doudna's collaboration with Emmanuelle Charpentier began after Banfield contacted Doudna to discuss the possibility of studying CRISPR systems' underlying chemistry, which led to their groundbreaking work together.

What recognition did Doudna receive for her work on CRISPR?

In 2020, Doudna, alongside Emmanuelle Charpentier, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their development of CRISPR technology for genome editing.

Why is the development of CRISPR particularly significant for public institutions?

The development of CRISPR at the University of California Berkeley, a public institution, is significant because it emphasizes the importance of making this transformative technology widely available and affordable to all who can benefit from it.

What is Doudna's ultimate motivation in science?

Doudna's ultimate motivation in science is to work on important problems that can make a real difference, and she is driven by the desire to educate the next generation of scientists while making fundamental discoveries in the lab.