Doudna Lab

University of California, Berkeley

Genome editing starts with a molecular search: how does an RNA-guided enzyme find the right DNA sequence? Jennifer Doudna’s lab investigates that mechanism and engineers tools built on it. The group combines structural biology, biochemistry, protein engineering, and functional testing to study CRISPR systems and discover new editing proteins in microbial communities. Selected studies examine the two-step target capture of Cas9 and packaged delivery of Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. For newcomers, the research connects molecular-scale questions about recognition and specificity with the practical challenge of getting an editor into cells.