28 June 2012 (online publication) / Americas
CRISPR-Cas9 becomes a programmable DNA-cutting tool
Jinek, Charpentier, Doudna and colleagues showed how RNA could guide Cas9 to cut selected DNA, providing a crucial method for subsequent genome editing.
The story
The paper investigated bacterial immunity and demonstrated designed guide RNAs directing Cas9 cleavage of DNA in vitro. Its authors were Jinek, Chylinski, Fonfara, Hauer, Doudna and Charpentier. This was a key programmable-cleavage experiment, not completion of every cellular or clinical application. Earlier CRISPR discoveries and later genome-editing work also involved additional researchers and independent teams.
Connections and context
Research on microbial defenses produced an unexpected experimental tool. DNA cutting, safe treatment, heritable effects and ethical judgments remain distinct questions requiring different evidence.
Dates and precision
28 June 2012 (online publication) Documented date
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Representative map location
Berkeley and international collaborators
The marker represents the University of California, Berkeley, one major institution in a multinational collaboration.
Representative coordinates · 37.872°, -122.259°
A marker identifies one representative place, such as a manuscript collection, laboratory or observing site. It does not mean the work happened only there, or assign a shared discovery to one country.
Bibliography
- Jinek and colleagues’ 2012 paper: RNA-guided DNA endonuclease
- Jinek and colleagues: A programmable dual-RNA-guided DNA endonuclease
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020: background and significance
References are listed as plain bibliography titles. They support particular facts or context; a reference does not certify every interpretation in a story.