Biochemist Jennifer Doudna describes her work on developing the CRISPR-Cas9 technique and the ethical concerns of using the revolutionary tool. Plus, regulating algorithms could offer better insight into why they fail. And researchers find a doomed planet orbiting a massive hot star.
A sketch at a café meeting sets Jennifer Doudna on the path to developing one of the most consequential gene editing tools.
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Biochemist Jennifer Doudna describes her work on developing the CRISPR-Cas9 technique and the ethical concerns of using the revolutionary tool.
7:37
The U.S. Patent Office ruled in favor of the Broad Institute in an early case over rights to the gene-editing technique known as CRISPR.
Listen to a podcast extra: Margaret Atwood live with Ira at Housing Works in NYC.
New findings about how substances like air pollutants can trigger cancer may help reveal carcinogens we were unaware of. Plus, scientists in Ecuador are on a mission to describe new-to-science tarantula species and help secure conservation protections. And, the first CRISPR gene-editing treatment is a cure for sickle cell disease.
16:54
Lee County, Florida is using biotechnology to eradicate mosquitoes. Plus, how CRISPR can engineer a reduction in disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Paleontologists explain how their work was inspired by the classic film, ‘Jurassic Park.’ Plus, a collaborative investigation finds companies are issuing over a billion pounds of pollution more than their permits allow. And, scientists use CRISPR to engineer a reduction in disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Epidemiologist Dr. Céline Gounder untangles rapidly changing pandemic updates. Plus, a plan to replace an aging oil pipeline spurs heated debates over safety, amid a worsening drought. And, looking ahead to CRISPR-based therapies for genetic diseases.
We recap the year in science news, from wildfires to space probes to CRISPR. Plus the story of a revolutionary physician, and the next target of the New Horizons space probe.