Daniel Voytas

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Daniel Voytas is a prominent American geneticist known for his pioneering work in the field of genome editing. He is a professor in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development at the University of Minnesota. Voytas is also the Chief Science Officer at Calyxt, a company focused on developing healthier food ingredients through advanced plant breeding techniques.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Voytas was born in the United States. He earned his B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Harvard University. He then pursued his Ph.D. in Genetics at Harvard Medical School, where he conducted research on retrotransposons in yeast.

Career

After completing his Ph.D., Voytas conducted postdoctoral research at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later joined the faculty at Iowa State University, where he began his work on plant genetics and genome editing.

In 2008, Voytas moved to the University of Minnesota, where he continued his research on genome engineering. He is best known for his contributions to the development of TALENs (Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases) and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, which have revolutionized the field of genetic engineering.

Research Contributions

Voytas' research has significantly advanced the understanding and application of genome editing technologies. His work on TALENs and CRISPR-Cas9 has enabled precise modifications to the genome of various organisms, including plants and animals. These technologies have broad applications in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology.

TALENs

TALENs are engineered proteins that can be designed to target specific DNA sequences, allowing for precise genome editing. Voytas' work on TALENs has facilitated the development of crops with improved traits, such as disease resistance and enhanced nutritional content.

CRISPR-Cas9

CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary genome editing tool that allows for targeted modifications to the DNA of living organisms. Voytas has been instrumental in adapting this technology for use in plants, enabling the creation of genetically modified crops with desirable traits.

Awards and Honors

Daniel Voytas has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of genetics and genome editing. Some of his notable accolades include:

• Election to the National Academy of Sciences
• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
• McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Genomics

Personal Life

Voytas resides in Minnesota with his family. He continues to be actively involved in research and teaching at the University of Minnesota.

See Also

• Genome editing
• TALEN
• CRISPR
• Genetic engineering
• Plant genetics