TED Talks Daily cover image

TED Talks Daily

CRISPR's next advance is bigger than you think | Jennifer Doudna

Sep 26, 2023
Jennifer Doudna, Nobel Prize winner in CRISPR gene editing, discusses the next frontier of CRISPR technology - precision microbiome editing. She explains how her team is using CRISPR to solve problems like asthma, Alzheimer's, and climate change by editing genes in microbiomes. They aim to reduce methane emissions, improve food production, and treat diseases linked to the gut microbiome through collaboration with nature.
08:05

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • CRISPR's next advance focuses on precision microbiome editing to address global challenges like climate change and human health.
  • Precision microbiome editing offers transformative solutions for agriculture and human health by harnessing the power of CRISPR and microbiomes.

Deep dives

CRISPR: A Revolutionary Tool for Editing Genes

CRISPR is a revolutionary technology that allows precise editing of genes in living organisms. Developed from the study of bacteria fighting viral infections, CRISPR functions like a word processor, enabling the removal, replacement, or alteration of specific genes. It has already demonstrated success in curing diseases like sickle cell anemia and developing hardy crops. The next frontier for CRISPR lies in the editing of entire microbial communities called microbiomes. Dysfunctional microbiomes are linked to diverse diseases and contribute to climate change through methane emissions. CRISPR, coupled with metagenomics technology, offers the possibility of precision microbiome editing, creating transformative solutions for human health and the planet.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode