Feng Zhang, a biochemist and neuroscientist born in 1981, has played a central role in the development of optogenetics and CRISPR gene-editing technologies. His research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Broad Institute explores synthetic biology to advance genome and epigenome engineering, leading to new methods for clinical diagnostics and therapeutics.
Academic Background
Born in Shijiazhuang, Zhang moved to Iowa at age 11. He graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School before attending the Research Science Institute at MIT. He earned a B.A. in chemistry and physics from Harvard University in 2004, followed by a PhD in chemical and biological engineering from Stanford University in 2009. His early doctoral work involved developing optogenetic technologies alongside Edward Boyden.
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Zhang joined the Broad Institute in 2011 to optimize the CRISPR system for use in human cells. By comparing RNA expression approaches, his group established the necessary features for guide RNA to enable Cas9 function in mammalian systems. This work laid the foundation for the first clinical CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutic, which was approved for treating sickle cell disease in 2023.
Diagnostics and Novel Systems
Beyond genome editing, Zhang’s lab developed SHERLOCK, a protocol for detecting viral and bacterial strains at attomolar concentrations. He also identified Cas13 using computational methods and discovered the TIGR-Tas family of RNA-guided DNA-targeting systems in 2025. His research continues to focus on applying these tools to complex neurobiological challenges.
Professional Recognition
Zhang holds numerous institutional appointments, including roles at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research and the MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. His contributions have earned him the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the Richard Lounsbery Award, and the Albany Medical Center Prize. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the National Academy of Medicine.
Fast facts
- Born: 1981, Shijiazhuang
- Undergraduate Education: Harvard University
- Doctoral Education: Stanford University
- Primary Employers: Broad Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Key Technologies: CRISPR-Cas9, Optogenetics, SHERLOCK, Cas13
- National Medal of Technology and Innovation: 2025
- Citizenship: United States, People's Republic of China
- Academic Societies: National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Questions readers ask
What is the SHERLOCK diagnostic protocol?
SHERLOCK stands for Specific High sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing, a CRISPR-based method that detects and distinguishes viral and bacterial strains at extremely low concentrations.
Which major awards has Feng Zhang received?
Zhang is a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the Albany Medical Center Prize, the Richard Lounsbery Award, and the Perl-UNC Prize, among others.
Achievements
- Held posts at Broad Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Educated at Harvard University, Stanford University and Stanford University School of Medicine
- Fields of research: genetic engineering