Swedish Research Council-funded research awarded Nobel Prize

The genetic scissors CRISPR/Cas9 give scientists the opportunity to change the genome of animals, plants and micro-organisms. The technology has revolutionised molecular life sciences, is contributing to new cancer therapies, and may realise the dream of curing hereditary diseases.

“The genetic scissors are a fantastic discovery, and an excellent example of how basic research can lead to major benefits for humanity. This type of researcher-initiated research, without any pre-determined focus, is entirely necessary to understand and solve known and future societal challenges. We are proud to have contributed to funding this research, which is now being awarded the Nobel Prize,” says Sven Stafström, Director General of the Swedish Research Council.

In 2008–2017, Emmanuelle Charpentier worked at the MIMS Laboratory at Umeå University, with support from the Swedish Research Council. It was there and then she made some of her ground-breaking discoveries.

Press release from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

News from Umeå University: Discovery at Umeå University awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Article in the magazine Curie on Emmanuelle Charpentier’s research at the MIMS Laboratory (in Swedish)

Project listing in SweCris about the CRISPR/CAS project funded by the Swedish Research Council