Emmanuelle Charpentier

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Emmanuelle Charpentier
BornEmmanuelle Marie Charpentier
11 12, 1968
BirthplaceJuvisy-sur-Orge, France
NationalityFrench
OccupationTemplate:Plainlist
TitleDirector, Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens
EmployerMax Planck Society
Known forDevelopment of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing
EducationPierre and Marie Curie University (BSc, MSc, PhD)
AwardsTemplate:Plainlist

Emmanuelle Marie Charpentier (born 11 December 1968) is a French microbiologist, geneticist, and biochemist who co-developed the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, one of the most consequential advances in modern biology. Born in the Paris suburb of Juvisy-sur-Orge, Charpentier pursued a career that took her across multiple countries and institutions before she arrived at the discovery that would transform the life sciences. Together with American biochemist Jennifer Doudna of the University of California, Berkeley, she was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for the development of a method for genome editing."[1] The award marked the first time a science Nobel Prize was won by two women without a male co-laureate. Since 2015, Charpentier has been affiliated with the Max Planck Society in Berlin, where she founded the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens in 2018. Her research career has spanned institutions in France, the United States, Austria, Sweden, and Germany, and her work has earned dozens of international awards and honors, establishing her as one of the most recognized scientists of the early twenty-first century.

Early Life

Emmanuelle Marie Charpentier was born on 11 December 1968 in Juvisy-sur-Orge, a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France.[1] She grew up in the Paris region and developed an interest in science at a young age. In an interview recorded in Stockholm on 12 December 2022, Charpentier reflected on her formative years and the path that led her into research, noting that her curiosity about the natural world was shaped by her upbringing in France.[2]

Charpentier's early academic trajectory led her to pursue studies in the natural sciences in Paris. She was drawn to the study of biology and, in particular, to the mechanisms by which microorganisms function and interact with their environments. Her academic path would take her to one of France's premier research universities, where she immersed herself in microbiology and biochemistry during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Education

Charpentier completed her undergraduate, master's, and doctoral studies at Pierre and Marie Curie University (now part of Sorbonne University) in Paris.[3] She earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree before undertaking doctoral research under the supervision of Patrice Courvalin. Her doctoral thesis, titled "Antibiotic resistance in Listeria spp," investigated the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in the bacterial genus Listeria, a pathogen of significant clinical importance.[4] She completed her PhD in 1995. Her doctoral training in microbiology and the molecular biology of pathogenic bacteria laid the groundwork for the research directions she would pursue throughout her career, including her eventual work on the CRISPR-Cas9 system.

Career

Early Research and Postdoctoral Work

Following the completion of her doctorate in 1995, Charpentier moved to the United States for postdoctoral research. She worked at several American institutions, gaining experience in the molecular biology of bacterial pathogens and deepening her expertise in microbial genetics and biochemistry.[3] This period of international mobility was characteristic of Charpentier's career; she would go on to hold positions at institutions across five countries over the following two decades.

Her early research focused on understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance, themes that had been central to her doctoral work. These investigations provided her with a thorough grounding in the molecular tools and techniques of microbial genetics, which would later prove instrumental when she turned her attention to the CRISPR system.

University of Vienna

Charpentier held a research position at the University of Vienna in Austria, where she continued her work on the molecular biology of bacterial pathogens.[5] During her time in Vienna, she expanded her research interests to encompass the regulatory mechanisms of bacterial gene expression, investigating how bacteria control the activity of their genes in response to environmental signals and during infection.

Umeå University and CRISPR-Cas9 Discovery

A pivotal phase of Charpentier's career took place at Umeå University in northern Sweden, where she was a group leader at the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS).[3][6] It was during her time at Umeå University that she made the discoveries that would lead to the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tool.

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a naturally occurring defense system found in many bacteria and archaea. The system enables these organisms to recognize and destroy the DNA of invading viruses by storing short sequences of viral DNA within their own genomes and using these sequences to guide a molecular cutting mechanism. Charpentier's research at Umeå focused on the CRISPR system in the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, a common human pathogen. Her laboratory identified a previously unknown small RNA molecule, called tracrRNA (trans-activating CRISPR RNA), which plays an essential role in the processing of CRISPR RNA and the subsequent targeting and cleavage of foreign DNA by the Cas9 protein.[5]

In 2011, Charpentier published her findings on tracrRNA, a discovery that revealed a critical component of the CRISPR-Cas9 mechanism. She subsequently initiated a collaboration with Jennifer Doudna, a biochemist and structural biologist at the University of California, Berkeley. Together, they demonstrated in a landmark 2012 publication that the CRISPR-Cas9 system could be reprogrammed to cut specific DNA sequences in vitro, effectively creating a programmable molecular tool for genome editing. This work showed that by designing a synthetic guide RNA to match a target DNA sequence, the Cas9 protein could be directed to cut the DNA at a precise location. The simplicity, versatility, and efficiency of this approach represented a transformative advance over previous genome editing technologies.[1]

The CRISPR-Cas9 system rapidly became one of the most widely adopted tools in biological research, with applications ranging from basic scientific investigation to agriculture, industrial biotechnology, and medicine. The technology has been applied to the development of potential therapies for genetic diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, and it has opened new avenues in the study of gene function across virtually all areas of biology.

Charpentier maintained strong ties to Umeå University even after moving to other positions. In 2023, the municipality of Umeå appointed her as an honorary citizen, recognizing her contributions to the city's scientific reputation.[7] In September 2025, Charpentier returned to Umeå University for a visit, during which she participated in events and discussions about the role of science in society.[7][8]

Hannover Medical School and Helmholtz Centre

Following her period at Umeå University, Charpentier held positions at the Hannover Medical School and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Germany, where she continued her research on the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and the CRISPR system.[9]

Max Planck Society

In 2015, Charpentier was appointed as a director at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, joining one of Germany's foremost research organizations.[5][10] Three years later, in 2018, she founded the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, an independent research unit within the Max Planck Society dedicated to the study of infectious disease mechanisms at the molecular level. As the founding director of this unit, Charpentier leads research programs focused on the biology of bacterial pathogens and the development of novel approaches to understanding and combating infectious diseases.

In December 2025, Charpentier was appointed as a member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council (ERC), the governing body responsible for the scientific strategy of Europe's premier funding agency for frontier research.[11]

CRISPR Therapeutics and Commercialization

Charpentier is a co-founder of CRISPR Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing gene-based medicines using the CRISPR-Cas9 platform.[12] The company has pursued clinical programs for the treatment of genetic blood disorders, cancers, and other diseases, representing one of the principal commercial pathways for the CRISPR technology.

The intellectual property surrounding CRISPR-Cas9 has been the subject of protracted patent disputes. A team including Charpentier and Doudna lost its claim to key CRISPR-Cas9 patents in February 2022. As of June 2025, the laureates were pursuing another opportunity to establish ownership of the foundational patents.[13]

Public Engagement and Advocacy

In the years following her Nobel Prize, Charpentier has been active in public engagement, speaking about the importance of scientific research for society. During a 2025 visit to Umeå University, she discussed the role of science at a time when research and scientific authority are being questioned, emphasizing the responsibility of researchers to demonstrate how their work contributes to societal progress.[8] In May 2025, she visited the University of Saskatchewan, where she received an honorary degree and engaged with students and faculty about the future of science.[14] She has also offered career advice to the next generation of scientists, encouraging curiosity and perseverance in research careers.[15]

Personal Life

Charpentier has maintained a relatively private personal life. Her career has been characterized by significant international mobility; she has lived and worked in France, the United States, Austria, Sweden, and Germany.[3] She has spoken in interviews about the demands of a research career and the sacrifices involved in frequent relocations across countries and continents.[2] Since 2015, she has been based in Berlin, Germany, where she directs the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens.[10]

Charpentier holds French nationality. She has discussed in public forums her identity as a European scientist and her belief in the importance of international collaboration in research.[8]

Recognition

Charpentier has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the development of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology. The following is a partial list of the major recognitions she has received:

  • Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2020) — awarded jointly with Jennifer Doudna "for the development of a method for genome editing."[1] This was the first science Nobel Prize awarded to an all-female team.
  • Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2015) — shared with Jennifer Doudna, recognizing their development of CRISPR-Cas9.[16]
  • Canada Gairdner International Award (2016) — a prize recognizing biomedical research.[17]
  • Time 100 (2015) — named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.[18]
  • Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine — awarded by the Jeantet Foundation for contributions to biomedical research in Europe.[19]
  • Ernst Jung Prize for Medicine (2015) — awarded by the Jung Foundation for excellence in medical research.[20]
  • Gruber Prize in Genetics (2015) — awarded by the Gruber Foundation.[21]
  • Erik K. Fernström Prize — received during her time at Umeå University.[22]
  • Göran Gustafsson Prize — awarded for contributions to molecular biology.[23]
  • Dr. Paul Janssen Award — for discoveries related to CRISPR-Cas9.[24]
  • Jacob Heskel Gabbay Award — recognizing contributions to biotechnology and medicine.[25]
  • Carus Medal — awarded by the Leopoldina, the German National Academy of Sciences.[9]
  • Meyenburg Prize — for cancer research contributions.
  • Massry Prize — awarded by the Keck School of Medicine of USC for contributions that launched the gene editing revolution.[26]
  • HFSP Nakasone Award (2016) — awarded by the Human Frontier Science Program.[27]
  • L'Oréal-UNESCO Award — Charpentier was celebrated during the L'Oréal-UNESCO week in Paris for her scientific achievements.[28]
  • Honorary degree — University of Saskatchewan (2025).[14]

Legacy

Charpentier's co-development of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system has had a profound impact on the biological sciences and on the prospects for treating human disease. The technology she and Doudna described in 2012 has become a standard tool in laboratories worldwide, enabling researchers to make precise changes to the DNA of virtually any organism. CRISPR-Cas9 has accelerated research in genetics, developmental biology, agriculture, and medicine, and has opened the possibility of correcting genetic mutations that cause inherited diseases.[1]

The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Charpentier and Doudna, was notable not only for the scientific achievement it recognized but also for its significance in the history of the Nobel Prizes: it was the first time a science Nobel was awarded exclusively to two women.[1] This milestone drew attention to the contributions of women in science and to the barriers they continue to face in research careers.

Charpentier's career path — spanning multiple countries and institutions — has also been cited as an example of the importance of international scientific mobility and collaboration. Her discovery of the role of tracrRNA in the CRISPR system, made while she was working in Sweden, and her subsequent collaboration with an American colleague, underscore the global nature of modern scientific research.[8]

As the founding director of the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, Charpentier continues to shape research on infectious diseases. Her public advocacy for the value of science in society, particularly at a time of increasing skepticism toward scientific expertise, has positioned her as a prominent voice for the research community.[8] Her appointment to the ERC Scientific Council in 2025 further extends her influence on the direction of European scientific research.[11]

The commercial applications of CRISPR-Cas9 continue to expand. CRISPR Therapeutics, which Charpentier co-founded, is among several companies developing gene-editing-based treatments that have reached clinical trials.[12] The ongoing patent disputes surrounding the technology reflect its enormous commercial and scientific value.[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020".NobelPrize.org.https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2020/summary/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Transcript from an interview with Emmanuelle Charpentier".NobelPrize.org.2025-10-04.https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2020/charpentier/1371685-interview-transcript/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "CV Charpentier".MIMS, Umeå University.http://www.mims.umu.se/groups/emmanuelle-charpentier/cv-charpentier.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Antibiotic resistance in Listeria spp".Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.https://aac.asm.org/content/43/9/2103.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Emmanuelle Charpentier".Max Planck Society.http://www.mpg.de/9334617/emmanuelle-charpentier.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Emmanuelle Charpentier named in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in World list".Umeå University.http://www.umu.se/english/about-umu/news-events/news/newsdetailpage/emmanuelle-charpentier-named-in-time-magazines-100-most-influential-people-in-world-list.cid250289.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Emmanuelle Charpentier to visit Umeå University".Umeå University.2025-09-02.https://www.umu.se/en/news/emmanuelle-charpentier-visits-umea-university_12135910.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Emmanuelle Charpentier on the role of science in society".Umeå University.2025-12-08.https://www.umu.se/en/feature/emmanuelle-charpentier-on-the-role-of-science-in-society/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Emmanuelle Charpentier receives Carus Medal".Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research.http://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/news_events/news/view/article/complete/emmanuelle_charpentier_receives_carus_medal/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Emmanuelle Charpentier - Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology".Max Planck Society.https://www.mpg.de/9343753/infektionsbiologie-charpentier.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Six new members of the ERC Scientific Council and three new Vice Presidents".European Research Council.2025-12-10.https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/six-new-members-erc-scientific-council-2025.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "CRISPR Therapeutics Overview".CRISPR Therapeutics.http://crisprtx.com/overview/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Crispr Nobel laureates get another chance to claim ownership in long-running patent dispute".Chemistry World.2025-06-02.https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/crispr-nobel-laureates-get-another-chance-to-claim-ownership-in-long-running-patent-dispute/4021590.article.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "USask hosts Nobel Prize winner and honorary degree recipient".University of Saskatchewan.2025-05-28.https://news.usask.ca/articles/research/2025/usask-hosts-nobel-prize-winner-and-honorary-degree-recipient.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "The Best Career Advice to the Next Generation of Scientists from Emmanuelle Charpentier - The Nobel Prize".Oncodaily.2025-01-01.https://oncodaily.com/voices/emmanuelle-charpentier-436739.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Emmanuelle Charpentier honored with Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences".Umeå University.http://www.umu.se/english/about-umu/news-events/news/newsdetailpage/emmanuelle-charpentier-honored-with-breakthrough-prize-in-lifek-sciences.cid242317.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Recipients".Gairdner Foundation.http://gairdner.org/recipients/current.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna".Time.http://time.com/3822554/emmanuelle-charpentier-jennifer-doudna-2015-time-100/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Prize Winners".Louis Jeantet Foundation.http://www.jeantet.ch/en/support-to-european-research/louis-jeantet-prize/prize-winners.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Laureates 2015".Jung Foundation.https://www.jung-stiftung.de/en/die-jung-stiftung-1/ernst-jung-preis-fuer-medizin/2015/laureates-2015.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Gruber Foundation Honors Excellence in Neuroscience, Cosmology, and Genetics".Yale News.2015-06-16.http://news.yale.edu/2015/06/16/gruber-foundation-honors-excellence-neuroscience-cosmology-and-genetics.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Eric K. Fernström's Prize to Emmanuelle Charpentier".MIMS, Umeå University.http://www.mims.umu.se/news-events/1387-eric-k-fernstroems-prize-to-emmanuelle-charpentier.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Göran Gustafsson Prize for Emmanuelle Charpentier".MIMS, Umeå University.http://www.mims.umu.se/news-events/1635-goeran-gustafsson-prize-for-emmanuelle-charpentier.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "MIMS group leader Emmanuelle Charpentier receives Dr. Paul Janssen Award for discoveries of CRISPR-Cas9".MIMS, Umeå University.http://www.mims.umu.se/news-events/1646-mims-group-leader-emmanuelle-charpentier-receives-dr-paul-janssen-award-for-discoveries-of-crispr-cas9.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Emmanuelle Charpentier receives Jacob Heskel Gabbay Award".Umeå University.http://www.umu.se/english/about-umu/news-events/news/newsdetailpage/emmanuelle-charpentier-receives-jacob-heskel-gabbay-award.cid241883.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Massry winners helped launch gene-editing revolution".USC Health Sciences.http://hscnews.usc.edu/massry-winners-helped-launch-gene-editing-revolution/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "HFSP Nakasone Award - 2016 Award".Human Frontier Science Program.http://www.hfsp.org/awardees/hfsp-nakasone-award/2016-award.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "France is celebrating Emmanuelle Charpentier during the L'Oréal-UNESCO week in Paris".MIMS, Umeå University.http://www.mims.umu.se/news-events/1768-france-is-celebrating-emmanuelle-charpentier-during-the-l-oreal-unesco-week-in-paris.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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