J. Keith Joung

J. Keith Joung is a prominent American scientist known for his significant contributions to the field of genome editing. He is a leading figure in the development of CRISPR technology and other genome editing tools.

Early Life and Education

J. Keith Joung was born in the United States. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University, where he earned a degree in biochemistry. He then pursued a medical degree at Harvard Medical School. Following his medical training, Joung obtained a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the same institution.

Career

Joung began his career as a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where he focused on developing novel genome editing technologies. He is currently a Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Center for Cancer Research at MGH.

Contributions to Genome Editing

Joung's research has been instrumental in advancing the field of genome editing. He has developed several key technologies, including:

• CRISPR-Cas9: Joung has made significant improvements to the CRISPR-Cas9 system, enhancing its precision and efficiency.
• TALENs: He has also worked on Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), another genome editing tool.
• ZFNs: Joung has contributed to the development of Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), which are used for targeted genome editing.

Awards and Honors

Joung has received numerous awards for his contributions to science, including:

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's Pioneer Award
• The American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy Outstanding Achievement Award
• The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow

Publications

Joung has authored and co-authored numerous scientific papers in prestigious journals such as Nature, Science, and Cell. His work is widely cited and has had a profound impact on the field of genome editing.

Personal Life

Joung resides in Boston, Massachusetts, where he continues his research and teaching activities. He is married and has two children.

See Also

• CRISPR
• Genome editing
• Harvard Medical School
• Massachusetts General Hospital