Fuguo Jiang: In Memoriam

Prokaryotes (Archaea and Bacteria) have evolved a nucleic acid-stimulated immune system that shares similar functions with RNA interference in eukaryotes. CRISPR/Cas system is a microbial nuclease system involved in defense against invading phages and plasmids by integrating spacers from invading genetic elements and subsequently directing the specific cleavage of invasive homologous DNA sequences. Fuguo’s research in the Doudna lab focused on the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of the RNA-guided DNA endonuclease Cas9 from the type II CRISPR system. At the time of his death, Fuguo’s research involved the understanding the detailed mechanism by which viral anti-CRISPR proteins inhibit bacterial CRISPR immunity.