‘Code of Life’: Nobel awarded for DNA editing method to Doudna, Charpentier

The winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry were announced on October 7. The prestigious award was conferred upon Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier for the development of a method for genome editing called CRISPR/Cas9. The tool, also known as genetic scissors, can be used to change DNA of animals, plants and microbes with high precision. It has contributed significantly to research on cancer therapy and treatment of hereditary diseases. Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, a member of the Chemistry Nobel Committee, said that the CRISPR/Cas9 system had 'revolutionised life sciences'. The winners of this year's Nobel prizes won't be called to Stockholm in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there will be a 'traditional' ceremony when the situation allows, as per the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.