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About

Fyodor D. Urnov is a pioneering molecular biologist whose research focuses on genome editing, gene therapy, and the development of scalable diagnostic technologies. He is best known for his foundational work on engineered nucleases, particularly zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), which revolutionized the ability to precisely modify the human genome. Urnov’s major contributions include demonstrating the first therapeutic correction of a disease-causing mutation in human cells using ZFNs, a landmark achievement that opened the door to targeted gene therapies for disorders like sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. His work has been cited over 18,000 times, reflecting its profound impact on the field. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Urnov also led efforts to develop high-throughput, robotic RNA extraction protocols for saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, enabling asymptomatic population screening with enhanced efficiency and safety. His notable achievements include receiving the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award and serving as a key figure in the early commercialization of genome editing technologies. Urnov’s research continues to bridge fundamental biology and translational medicine, inspiring a new generation of scientists to tackle genetic disease with precision tools.