Welcome and Introductions:
Kevin Davis, the executive editor of the Christopher Journal and editor-at-large of Gen, welcomed the audience to the fourth and final installment of the Women in Science webinar series. He introduced Jennifer Doudna, the 2020 Nobel Laureate for chemistry, as the special guest for the discussion. Davis also acknowledged his co-host, Carla Sheppard-Rubinger, the Executive Director of the Rosalind Franklin Society, and John Sterling, the Chief Editor of Genetic Engineering News. Four of Doudna’s past and former colleagues were introduced: Deepa Sachitel, Ross Wilson, Blake Wiedenheff, and Rodolf Barrangou.

Women in Science Series:
The Women in Science series is a four-part initiative commemorating the 100th birthday of Rosalind Franklin. Previous installments featured presentations and discussions with notable figures like Matthew Cobb, Rita Colwell, and Susan Hockfield. All sessions are available on-demand on the Genetic Engineering News and Rosalind Franklin Society websites.

Acknowledgments:
Horizon Discovery and OnRamp Bio were recognized for their support in making the series possible. Horizon Discovery contributes to gene editing and modulation tools for research and precision medicine. OnRamp Bio offers a platform that simplifies bioinformatics for scientists to leverage multi-omic data. Both companies are committed to supporting the scientific careers of women and underrepresented minorities.

Transition to Jennifer Doudna’s Discussion:
The discussion with Jennifer Doudna was anticipated to begin in approximately 11 or 12 minutes. Blake Wiedenheff, who brought CRISPR to Doudna’s lab, was invited to share his observations and recollections.

Jennifer Doudna and CRISPR:
Blake Wiedenheff, an early member of Doudna’s lab, worked on CRISPRs and contributed to the project’s success. Deepa Sachitel, another former lab member, praised Doudna’s ability to foster a collaborative and dynamic research environment. Ross Wilson, a current member of Doudna’s institute, recalled Doudna’s catchphrase, “did you try adding RNA to that?”, which played a role in the invention of the powerful CRISPR genome editing technology.

Doudna’s Mentoring and Leadership:
Deepa Sachitel emphasized Doudna’s focus on ensuring research productivity and preventing unproductive pursuits. Sachitel also highlighted Doudna’s skill in recognizing when students or postdocs were struggling and redirecting them to more promising research directions. Ross Wilson described the intimidating but inspiring atmosphere in Doudna’s lab, which has influenced the environment in his current institute.

Doudna’s Nobel Prize:
Deepa Sachitel expressed excitement about Doudna’s Nobel Prize, recognizing both her pioneering work in RNA structure and the recent discovery of CRISPR. Sachitel noted that Doudna’s Nobel Prize does not preclude her from winning another one in the future.

Collaboration and Inspiration:
Ross Wilson mentioned a collaboration with Doudna on CRISPR delivery, highlighting the ongoing impact of her research. Wilson hopes to continue Doudna’s legacy of innovation and collaboration in their joint project.

Sam Sternberg’s Recollections of Working with Jennifer Doudna:
Sam Sternberg credits Jennifer Doudna for teaching him how to effectively communicate scientific discoveries by crafting a compelling narrative. Doudna’s storytelling skills bring her research to life and make it relatable to readers. She emphasizes the importance of strategically organizing experiments into a cohesive narrative for successful publications and presentations.

Rodolf Barangu on Jennifer Doudna’s Entrepreneurial Vision:
Barangu highlights Doudna’s foresight in recognizing the potential of CRISPR technology for real-world applications. Doudna founded the first CRISPR company, enabling the translation of scientific discoveries into products with tangible benefits. Barangu emphasizes the impact of Doudna’s vision in training graduates who carry her coaching and mentoring style into the real world.

Jennifer Doudna’s Nobel Prize and Its Significance:
Doudna reflects on receiving the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2020 and the unexpected wake-up call from a reporter. The virtual Nobel ceremony format allows for broader participation, increasing accessibility to scientific discussions. Doudna expresses gratitude for the recognition and hopes it sends a positive message to girls and underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Jennifer Doudna’s Journey from Biotech to Berkeley:
Doudna shares her experience leaving Berkeley for a senior position at Genentech, a renowned biotech company. While she initially embraced the opportunity, she realized she missed the collaborative and discovery-driven environment of academia. Returning to Berkeley reignited her passion for fundamental research and led to her groundbreaking work on CRISPR-Cas9.

Research Collaborations:
Doudna faced challenges when transitioning from Genentech to academia but was welcomed back by Berkeley colleagues. Her colleagues at Genentech understood the difficulties of cultural shifts, having come from academic backgrounds.

Collaboration with Emmanuelle Charpentier:
Doudna was drawn to Charpentier’s sense of adventure and desire to understand the secrets of the CRISPR pathway. Their shared passion and different backgrounds made for an exciting collaborative opportunity.

Successful Collaboration:
Doudna emphasized that not all collaborations are successful, as many fizzle out. Her collaboration with Charpentier succeeded due to their shared vision and the strong scientific connection forged by their lab members.

International Partnerships:
Doudna highlighted the importance of worldwide cooperation and partnerships in science. She showcased the successful transatlantic collaboration between her lab and Charpentier’s lab as an example of this cooperation.

Recent Conversations and Celebrations:
Doudna had recent conversations with Charpentier and Chris Chylinski, expressing joy and excitement about their shared scientific discoveries. They discussed the significance of the award they received and its potential impact on up-and-coming scientists.

Transition to COVID-19 Research:
Doudna shifted her focus from CRISPR to COVID-19 research, which has dominated her life this year. The upcoming segment will feature questions from John Sterling, the editor of Gen, regarding her COVID-19 research.

Motivation for Establishing a Testing Facility:
Jennifer Doudna believes scientists must be proactive and ready to adapt their expertise to address pressing issues. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to take action and establish a testing lab at UC Berkeley.

Setting Up the Testing Lab:
Doudna collaborated with colleagues to set up a testing lab in just three weeks. The lab initially ran with volunteer students and postdocs, but now has a professional team, including an MD. The lab provides testing services for UC Berkeley and community partners.

CRISPR-Based Diagnostic Tests:
Doudna’s company, Mammoth Biosciences, is developing CRISPR diagnostic tests. CRISPR tests have the potential to provide point-of-care and real-time surveillance testing. CRISPR tests could be valuable for pandemic preparedness in the future.

Inspiration to Pursue Science:
Doudna’s interest in science was sparked while living in Hilo, Hawaii. Her fascination with the local flora and fauna drew her towards studying science.

Background and Influences:
Jennifer Doudna’s upbringing in an intellectual family fostered her interest in science. Her love for math and curiosity about the unique properties of plants and animals in her island environment sparked her passion for understanding biological processes at a molecular level.

Advice for Women in Science:
She emphasizes the importance of laser-focused passion and perseverance for success in science, regardless of the challenges or dissuasion faced. She highlights her own stubbornness as a strength, allowing her to pursue ideas and answer questions despite skepticism.

Ethical Considerations of CRISPR:
Doudna acknowledges the ethical challenges posed by CRISPR’s broad applications in various fields. She emphasizes the need to carefully consider the ethical implications of using CRISPR technology in environmental, agricultural, and medical contexts.

Pivotal Moment and Photo 51:
The pivotal moment for the CRISPR project was when Jennifer Doudna and Martin Jinek realized the potential of a single guide RNA format for Cas9, creating a programmable two-component DNA cutting system. The “Photo 51” moment for Doudna was an experiment showing that five different single guide RNAs could direct Cas9 to cut plasmid DNA at specific locations, demonstrating the programmable nature of the system.

Technology Deployment and Accessibility:
Doudna emphasizes the need to shift from proof-of-principle experiments to making CRISPR technology widely accessible to those who need it.

Sickle Cell Disease as an Example:
CRISPR’s potential to treat or cure monogenetic disorders like sickle cell disease is highlighted, with companies like CRISPR Therapeutics working on gene corrections to mitigate the disease phenotype.

Challenges in Making CRISPR Accessible:
Doudna raises concerns about the challenges in making CRISPR accessible to patients, such as addressing issues of cost, equity, and infrastructure.

Global Collaboration and Responsible Use:
Doudna stresses the importance of international collaboration and cooperation to manage the use of CRISPR technology responsibly.

Scientific Community’s Role:
Doudna calls on the scientific community to step up and take responsibility for the ethical and responsible use of CRISPR technology.

Building a Community of Friends and Colleagues:
Sam Sternberg emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive and collaborative lab environment, where scientists can enjoy working together and build strong friendships.

CRISPR Affordability and Delivery Challenges:
CRISPR therapy is currently very expensive and is not sustainable. Researchers at the Innovative Genomics Institute are working on strategies to reduce the cost and improve the delivery of CRISPR therapies. These strategies include developing new CRISPR enzymes and delivery systems that are more efficient and targeted.

Expanding CRISPR Applications:
Researchers are also exploring the use of CRISPR to manipulate the genomes of communities of bacteria. This could allow for the study and manipulation of microbes in their natural environments, which could lead to new insights into their role in health and the environment.

Addressing Misinformation about Women in Science:
A recent study claiming that women cannot act as mentors in science has been widely criticized and is considered absurd. Many scientists, including Jennifer Doudna and her colleagues, have spoken out against the study and emphasized the importance of female mentors in science. The study highlights the need for healthy skepticism and the importance of interpreting data firsthand rather than relying solely on others’ interpretations.

CRISPR in the Second Decade:
Jennifer Doudna hopes that the second decade of CRISPR will see the development of more affordable and accessible CRISPR therapies. She also hopes to see the expansion of CRISPR applications to new areas, such as the manipulation of microbial communities. Overall, the panel is excited about the potential of CRISPR to revolutionize various fields and is committed to addressing challenges and promoting responsible and ethical use of the technology.

Influential Mentorship:
Jennifer’s guidance significantly shaped the careers of her colleagues, including Sam and Blake. Blake realized the immense effort and skill involved in creating a supportive lab atmosphere only after experiencing it firsthand.

Pivoting Research Interests:
Blake transitioned his lab’s focus from CRISPRs to SARS coronavirus research, finding it an exciting new challenge.

Continual Adaptation:
Sam emphasizes the importance of continuously reevaluating and adjusting the research focus of a lab to avoid stagnation. He considers this a fun challenge, particularly in fields like CRISPR and beyond.

CRISPR for Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases:
CRISPR has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by enabling the modeling of diseases and the probing of genetic pathways. The aging population is leading to an increase in neurodegenerative diseases, making it crucial to develop effective treatments.

CRISPR for Revolutionizing Food and Agriculture:
CRISPR can be used to engineer crops and trees, leading to improvements in food production and sustainability. Microbiomes, fermented foods, and engineering trees in forests are areas where CRISPR is expected to have a significant impact.

Addressing Public Skepticism and Anti-Science Bias:
Public acceptance of science is crucial for the successful implementation of CRISPR technology. Anti-vaxxers, anti-GMOs, and anti-science bias pose challenges to the adoption of CRISPR. Scientists need to be trained to address public skepticism and engage in science communication.

Jennifer Doudna’s Role in Overcoming Public Skepticism:
Jennifer Doudna is uniquely positioned to address public skepticism and promote the acceptance of CRISPR technology. Her skills as a communicator and storyteller can help build trust and understanding among the public. Collaborating with other scientists is essential to address the challenge of public skepticism.

Educational Importance:
CRISPR’s educational significance is crucial for the future, extending beyond its specific context.

Jennifer Doudna as an Inspiration:
Jennifer Doudna continuously reinvents herself scientifically, seeking new problems and approaches. This serves as a great inspiration for developing as a scientist and a principal investigator.

Snowball Prize and Basic Science Research:
The Snowball Prize originated from basic science research, highlighting the importance of curiosity-driven inquiry. Ongoing research in phage defense mechanisms and warfare between phage and bacteria is promising and has yielded valuable biotechnology tools.

Conclusion:
Panelists expressed gratitude to Jennifer Doudna, the Rosalind Franklin Society, Horizon, and OnRamp for their support. The event attracted 4,000 registrants, demonstrating the widespread interest in science, especially during challenging times.