You’ve been a leading figure in genome biology for many years. How has the discovery of the CRISPR-Cas gene-editing tool changed your field?

I see the development of CRISPR-Cas as a symbol for how science can be democratised. Genome editing has been around since the 1990s but, back then, the systems were slow, expensive and limited to a small group of experts. Because CRISPR-Cas has simplified the technology so starkly, biologists, medical researchers and even students working on genetic diseases are now able to use the tools. This has created space for exciting new approaches and given a tremendous boost to our field. Focus is no longer set on just the technology itself but on how it’s used – whether it’s treating diseases or uncovering biological mechanisms we never knew existed. Of course, this also raises new ethical and safety concerns that must be carefully considered.

With both basic research and pharmaceutical solutions, you and your group cover a lot of ground. How important is basic research to you?

It’s crucial! After all, it forms the very foundation of applied research. The discovery of CRISPR-Cas is a good illustration of the vital role basic research plays in society, as it was from insights gained from fundamental research in the microbiological field that CRISPR-Cas emerged. As a result of these findings, a wide range of applications were developed within just a few years.

Which diseases are you focusing on in your applied research?

We’re developing treatments for hereditary blood diseases, such as sickle cell anaemia. While these conditions are rare in Europe, nearly 400 million people worldwide are affected. For me personally, the prevalence of a disease is not my key consideration. Many common conditions, such as bacterial infections, have multiple treatment options. By contrast, although genetic mutations can now be identified through DNA sequencing, we still lack cures. My vision is a future where children born with rare inherited diseases are not only diagnosed but actually cured.

How does applied research make its way from your lab into clinical practice?

One way is by founding a spin-off company. Besides spurring the development of promising therapies, it’s also good for the economy: a former doctoral student who launches a startup creates jobs and generates economic value. It’s great that ETH champions this entrepreneurial spirit through its Pioneer Fellowships. Thanks to this support, Jan Nelis and his company Immitra Bio are further developing a platform for gene therapies, while Lilly van de Venn is advancing her method to detect off-target effects in genome edits – unintended changes in the genome. Another important way is through collaborating with clinicians themselves. Doctors often come to us with specific medical questions, leading us to research new therapeutic approaches.

Why is ETH Zurich the right place for your research?

ETH offers an unparalleled blend of basic research and technological developments, all under one roof. This environment is incredibly inspiring. The university also brings together outstanding minds with state-of-theart infrastructure, is highly international and well connected. Its proximity to leading hospitals such as USZ and the Children’s Hospital, as well as to other excellent educational and research institutions, provides the perfect setting for our work.

Your professorship is funded by the NOMIS Foundation and the Lotte und Adolf Hotz-Sprenger Stiftung. What does this support mean to you?

The support we receive from foundations and donors through the ETH Foundation is invaluable. Grant funding is often tied to strict conditions, requiring researchers to outline expected results in advance. But groundbreaking discoveries happen when we explore the unknown with an open mind. Unrestricted philanthropic funding gives us the freedom to pursue precisely this kind of visionary research, allowing us to venture into truly new territory.