Gavin Knott

Gavin Knott is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Monash University, leading the Knott Lab within the Biomedicine Discovery Institute. His research focuses on RNA biology, CRISPR-Cas systems, and nucleic acid modification machinery. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Western Australia, followed by postdoctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley under Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna. His lab employs multidisciplinary approaches spanning computational biology, biochemistry, and structural biology to develop next-generation biotech tools for diagnostics and therapeutics.

• Education: Ph.D. in Biochemistry (University of Western Australia, 2016)
• External Positions: Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley (2016–2021)

Research interests include understanding RNA-binding proteins, CRISPR immune systems in microbes, and structural biology of nucleic acid-modifying enzymes. Key projects include developing CRISPR-based diagnostic tools (e.g., Cas13a for SARS-CoV-2 detection) and creating novel RNA manufacturing enzymes. Knott has secured grants like the NHMRC Investigator Grant (2020) and awards including the ASBMB Boomerang Award (2019).

Recent articles highlight advancements in cryo-EM techniques, CRISPR enzyme classification (CasPEDIA database), and structural insights into CRISPR-Cas9 mechanisms. His team collaborates on initiatives like the Victorian Pre-clinical mRNA Innovation Incubator (VPMII), advancing RNA therapeutics.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Sir Keith Murdoch Fellowship (2018)
  • NHMRC Investigator Grant (2020)
  • ASBMB Boomerang Award (2019)
  • Lorne Protein Anders Young Investigator Award (2019)

Knott actively contributes to academic activities, including organizing the CRISPR Conference 2025 and serving as a Guest Editor for Methods. His lab’s work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and innovation.