Stockholm Prize: Nobel Prize in Chemistry for female genetic researchers

This year, French Emmanuelle Charpentier and American Jennifer Douda will receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. She has developed methods of genetic modification. Charpentier works in Berlin.

This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to genetic researcher Emmanuelle Charpentier (France), currently working in Germany, and Jennifer A. Doudna (USA) for the development of genetic modification methods. This was announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

You played a key role in the development of the so-called Crispr / Cas9 genetic scissors. According to the Nobel Committee, Crispr / Cas9 have revolutionized molecular life sciences, brought new possibilities for plant breeding, contributed to innovative cancer therapies, and could make the dream of curing inherited diseases a reality.

Change DNA with the utmost precision

Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna made use of one of the sharpest tools in genetic engineering: With the Crispr / Cas9 gene scissors, researchers can modify the DNA of animals, plants and microorganisms with the greatest precision, depending on the given reason.

Charpentier from France currently works at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin and investigates pathogens. “I was very excited, I have to say that,” she said after the announcement.

This year’s most prestigious award for chemists is endowed with a total of 10 million crowns (around 950,000 euros), one million crowns more than last year.

The award ceremony traditionally takes place on December 10, the anniversary of founder Alfred Nobel’s death. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to 183 different researchers. So far, five women have been among the winners, for example Marie Curie in 1911, who discovered the radioactive elements polonium and radium.