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While studying unicellular microorganisms in the 1980s, Francis Mojica identified an unusual alternating DNA pattern whose function was initially difficult to explain. Persisting in his research, Mojica eventually characterized this phenomenon and coined the term CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) to describe it. He also proposed its biological role as a defense immune mechanism against viral infections in prokaryotes. Subsequently, other researchers built upon Mojica’s discovery, E. Charpentier and J. Doudna (Nobel prize 2020) to develop a revolutionary tool in genetic engineering: the CRISPR-Cas9 system, often described as “molecular scissors,” capable of cutting and editing specific DNA sequences. This technology has enabled precise genome editing and holds potential for correcting genetic disorders and advancing therapeutic innovation. CRISPR remains one of the most significant breakthroughs in modern biology, and Francis Mojica’s pioneering work laid the essential foundation for this transformative technology.

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Francisco Martinez Mojica: Discoverer of the CRISPR Systems in Prokaryotes

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Lluís Montoliu

摘要

While studying unicellular microorganisms in the 1980s, Francis Mojica identified an unusual alternating DNA pattern whose function was initially difficult to explain. Persisting in his research, Mojica eventually characterized this phenomenon and coined the term CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) to describe it. He also proposed its biological role as a defense immune mechanism against viral infections in prokaryotes. Subsequently, other researchers built upon Mojica’s discovery, E. Charpentier and J. Doudna (Nobel prize 2020) to develop a revolutionary tool in genetic engineering: the CRISPR-Cas9 system, often described as “molecular scissors,” capable of cutting and editing specific DNA sequences. This technology has enabled precise genome editing and holds potential for correcting genetic disorders and advancing therapeutic innovation. CRISPR remains one of the most significant breakthroughs in modern biology, and Francis Mojica’s pioneering work laid the essential foundation for this transformative technology.