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Last week we looked at the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the hepatitis C virus; there was some interest in also discussing the chemistry prize announced shortly before that post went up. That prize was shared by Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna for their contributions to developing the genetic engineering pathway based on CRISPR and Cas9. The system uses small RNA molecules to target DNA with complementary sequence for modification, allowing researchers to make specific modifications to just about any part of the DNA genome of an organism. It has found applications both in basic science research and medicine; for the latter, it brings the possibility that diseases like sickle cell anemia with known genetic causes can be treated at that genetic root.
[Read more…] about Science Corner: A Timely Nobel in Chemistry