Scott Bailey

Scott Bailey, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Johns Hopkins University, with joint affiliations in the School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. His research focuses on the structural and mechanistic basis of CRISPR-Cas systems and protein-nucleic acid interactions.

Education:

• BSc, University of Sheffield, 1998
• PhD, University of Sheffield, 2002

Dr. Bailey’s research centers on understanding how molecular machines recognize and modify nucleic acids, with an emphasis on CRISPR-mediated immunity. Using X-ray crystallography, his lab determines high-resolution structures of CRISPR complexes at various functional stages to derive mechanistic models. These models are tested through mutagenesis and biochemical assays to link structure with function. His work has elucidated mechanisms of Cas9, Type III-B, and Type V systems, contributing significantly to the field of genome editing.

Recent publications highlight advancements in Cas9 engineering, genome imaging techniques, and the structural basis of CRISPR targeting. His research has broad implications for biotechnology and therapeutic development. Trends across his articles show a sustained focus on CRISPR mechanisms, structural biology, and nucleic acid biochemistry, with increasing applications in proteomics and imaging.

Scientific Awards:

• Johns Hopkins Presidents Frontier Award - Winner (February 2016)
• Johns Hopkins Presidents Frontier Award - Finalist (January 2015)
• Shikani/El Hibri Prize for Discovery and Innovation - JHSPH (February 2015)
• Ho-Ching Yang Memorial Faculty Award - JHSPH (May 2010)

Dr. Bailey advises graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry programs. His lab has been supported by competitive grants, including the Johns Hopkins Discovery Awards (2020). He teaches advanced courses in molecular biology and gene editing, contributing to both PhD and Master’s level training.

The Bailey Lab is an active research group that integrates structural biology, biochemistry, and molecular genetics to dissect CRISPR mechanisms. The team includes PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff who collaborate on projects spanning structural determination, functional assays, and novel method development.