Feng Zhang acknowledged as 2016 Tang Prize recipient

Feng Zhang acknowledged as 2016 Tang Prize recipient

Prominent Scientist Feng Zhang Honored for CRISPR Breakthrough

Feng Zhang, a core member of the Broad Institute and an investigator at MIT's McGovern Institute for Brain Research, has been recognized as a 2016 Tang Prize Laureate in Biopharmaceutical Science. This prestigious award comes in recognition of his groundbreaking work in developing the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system and its application in eukaryotic cells.

The Tang Prize, an international award granted by judges convened by Academia Sinica, Taiwan's leading academic research institution, is bestowed biennially. Zhang shares the award with Emmanuelle Charpentier of the Max Planck Institute and Jennifer A. Doudna of the University of California at Berkeley.

In January 2013, Zhang and his team reported the first use of CRISPR-based genome editing in mammalian cells, a landmark paper that has since become the most-cited in the field.

"It is an incredible honor for our team to be recognized with the Tang Prize," Zhang stated. "The impact of the entire CRISPR field, which started with microbiologists and will continue to advance for years to come, is undeniable. This recognition highlights the importance of collaboration and sharing knowledge across institutions and borders, leading to a revolution in our understanding of human health."

Zhang's innovative work is not limited to CRISPR. As a graduate student at Stanford University, he collaborated with Karl Deisseroth and Edward Boyden, culminating in the development of optogenetics, a technique that enables neuronal activity control with light. In 2012, they shared the Perl-UNC Prize in Neuroscience for their efforts.

In addition to the Tang Prize, Zhang has received numerous accolades, including the National Science Foundation's Alan T. Waterman Award, the Jacob Heskel Gabbay Award in Biotechnology and Medicine, the Tsuneko & Reiji Okazaki Award, the HUGO Chen New Investigator Award, and the Canada Gairdner International Award.

One of Zhang's long-term goals is to use genome-editing technologies to better understand the nervous system and develop innovative treatments for neurological and psychiatric diseases. His lab has shared CRISPR-Cas9 components with over 30,000 academic laboratories worldwide and trained countless researchers in the use of this groundbreaking technology.

"Professor Zhang's lab has become a global hub for CRISPR research," said MIT Provost Martin Schmidt. "His team's contributions to this field and its relevance to biology and medicine are paramount."

Michael Sipser, dean of the School of Science and the Donner Professor of Mathematics at MIT, praised Zhang's work, stating, "CRISPR is a powerful new tool that is transforming biological science and promising revolutionary advances in healthcare. We are delighted that Feng Zhang, alongside Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, has been recognized with the Tang Prize."

Feng Zhang's CRISPR-Cas9 innovations have revolutionized gene editing and launched new avenues for therapeutic applications. His ongoing work in neuroscience and continued efforts to improve gene editing technologies will undoubtedly shape the future of these fields.

The Tang Prize ceremony will take place on Sept. 25 in Taipei, where Zhang, along with the other laureates, will receive a medal, diploma, and a combined cash prize of approximately $1.24 million, with the grant distribution divided equally among joint recipients in each category.

The Tang Prize is a nongovernmental, nonprofit educational foundation that awards outstanding contributions in four fields: sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, sinology, and rule of law. Nomination and selection of laureates are conducted by the Academia Sinica, irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation.

1. Feng Zhang's groundbreaking work in biotech, using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system, has been recognized as significant in the field of education, healthcare, and science, influencing medical-conditions research and medicine.
2. As a student at Stanford University, Zhang collaborated with fellow students on the development of optogenetics, a technique that integrates engineering and neuroscience, contributing to the news of innovation in the realm of technology and science.
3. Zhang's innovative work, including CRISPR and optogenetics, has resulted in numerous awards, such as the National Science Foundation's Alan T. Waterman Award, the Jacob Heskel Gabbay Award, and the Canada Gairdner International Award.
4. With over 30,000 academic laboratories using CRISPR-Cas9 components from Zhang's lab, this technology has become essential in the education of many students, fostering collaboration and the spread of knowledge across society.
5. One of Zhang's long-term goals is to apply genetics and genome-editing technologies in the field of neuroscience, aiming to develop innovative treatments for mental health conditions like neurological and psychiatric diseases.
6. Zhang's award-winning research in biopharmaceutical science, conducted at the Broad Institute and MIT's McGovern Institute for Brain Research, signifies a milestone in the advancement of society's understanding of health and the human brain.
7. The Tang Prize, an international award granted by Academia Sinica, Taiwan's leading academic research institution, recognizes achievements in various fields, demonstrating the importance of recognizing and celebrating scientific and technological breakthroughs.
8. This year's Tang Prize recipients include Zhang, along with Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna, who have made groundbreaking contributions to biotech research, helping to transform gene editing and advance therapeutic applications.
9. In the broader context of research and development, Zhang's work highlights the role of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in pushing the boundaries of science and technology, contributing to a revolution in our understanding of the world and our health.
10. The 2016 Tang Prize Laureate in Biopharmaceutical Science, Feng Zhang, has demonstrated a commitment to harnessing the power of technology, genetics, and science to address society's most pressing challenges and contribute to the betterment of human health.

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