How is Jennifer A. Doudna's Work Related to Catalysis?
Although Doudna's primary focus is on genetics, her work intersects significantly with the principles of catalysis. The CRISPR-Cas9 system she helped develop essentially acts as a biocatalyst for gene editing. The Cas9 enzyme can be likened to a catalytic agent that facilitates the precise cutting of DNA strands, enabling targeted genetic modifications. This catalytic action is crucial for the efficiency and specificity of the gene-editing process.