Star US gene-editing scientist Zhang Feng pays rare visit to China’s top university

The China-born MIT researcher, hailed as one of the most innovative life scientists in the world, talked about his work to a packed lecture hall

Zhang’s achievements include his role in the development of CRISPR as well as new methods of delivering gene-based therapies for cancer and other illnesses

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Zhang Feng, who won global renown as a pioneer of the CRISPR gene-editing tool, poses for selfies in a packed lecture hall at Peking University on May 22. Photo: Peking University

Published: 3:00pm, 27 May 2024Updated: 4:53pm, 27 May 2024

Chinese-American star scientist Zhang Feng made a rare public appearance in China last week, speaking to a packed lecture hall and meeting enthusiastic admirers at Peking University.

Zhang, based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), won world renown as a pioneer of CRISPR, the gene-editing technique that lets scientists manipulate the genetic code of organisms and make precise changes to genomes.

MIT-based Chinese-American life scientist Zhang Feng during his lecture, billed as an exploration of biological diversity, at Peking University on May 22. Photo: Peking University

According to the Peking University website, the 42-year-old shared details of his latest research results, as well as personal stories of his own journey into biochemistry – an interest that began in seventh grade when he saw the film Jurassic Park.

Zhang, hailed as one of the most innovative life scientists in the world, talked about the gene-editing tools and delivery systems developed in his lab at MIT, during Wednesday’s lecture which was billed as an exploration of biological diversity.

He said the modular design of gene-based medicines offered new tools for treating genetic diseases, while the techniques to deliver these medications to their target sites in the body lagged behind.

Last year, Zhang’s lab reported a new method of injecting proteins into human cells, which shows “great potential” for cancer treatments and a range of biological therapies, he said.

Zhang and his team have also developed a delivery method for RNA-based gene therapies, which use components from within human cells to self-assemble into virus-like particles and deliver functional mRNAs to mammalian cells.