International women in science: Five great scientists working today
It’s the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February. This day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and their contribution needs to be celebrated.
Newsround takes a look at the achievements of five women working today, who have well and truly left their mark in science.
Professor Jennifer Doudna
Professor Jennifer Doudna is a molecular biologist and is amongst the world’s most influential scientists. She and another scientist, Emmanuelle Charpentier, discovered something called CRISPR, a system for editing someone’s DNA. One day, the technology could change the lives of everyone on the planet.
It was discovered in 2012 at the University of California by Dr Doudna and her team, who were studying how bacteria defend themselves against infection. Her technology works by cutting a damaged part of DNA using ultra small microscopic scissors, then replicating or replacing it.
Professor Doudna’s work could be very important in treating lots of medical diseases.
