Feng Zhang

Feng Zhang is a molecular biologist and associate professor at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. His primary research focuses on the development and application of gene-editing technologies, with a specific emphasis on CRISPR-based molecular systems. His work has significantly contributed to the understanding of how molecular tools can be engineered and adapted for therapeutic purposes.

Zhang’s laboratory investigates the natural diversity and evolution of CRISPR systems found across various organisms. By exploring these biological mechanisms, his research aims to advance the precision and efficiency of genome editing. This work involves adapting bacterial immune systems to function as programmable tools in eukaryotic cells, enabling targeted modifications to DNA sequences.

The implications of Zhang’s contributions extend to both basic biological research and clinical applications. His efforts have helped establish CRISPR-Cas9 as a foundational technology in modern genetics, facilitating studies in disease modeling, functional genomics, and potential gene therapies.