Jennifer Doudna Quotes

With this crystal structure, we've learned that Dicer serves as a molecular ruler, with a clamp at one end and a cleaver at the other end a set distance away, that produces RNA fragments of an ideal size for gene-silencing.

- Jennifer Doudna

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Crystal | Structure | Learned | Dicer | Serves |

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With this crystal structure, we've learned that Dicer serves as a molecular ruler, with a clamp at one end and a cleaver at the other end a set distance away, that produces RNA fragments of an ideal size for gene-silencing. - Jennifer Doudna

When you put the clamp, the flat area and the cleaver together, you get a pretty good idea as to how Dicer works. We're now using this structural model to design experiments that might tell us what triggers Dicer into action. - Jennifer Doudna

Knowing the structure of Dicer sets the stage for understanding how Dicer enzymes are involved in other phases of the RNA interference pathway. In human cells, the evidence points to Dicer being part of a larger molecular complex that directs the RNA interference process. The core structure of Dicer has been highly conserved by evolution and could serve as a guide in redesigning the RNA molecules that direct specific gene-silencing pathways. - Jennifer Doudna