Rodolphe Barrangou

Rodolphe Barrangou is the Todd R. Klaenhammer Distinguished Professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at North Carolina State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A molecular biologist of international renown, he co-discovered the bacterial immune function of CRISPR-Cas systems while at Danisco/DuPont, revolutionizing genome editing and food production. His career spans 9 years in industrial R&D followed by academic leadership since 2013.

His educational background includes:

• BS in Biological Sciences, René Descartes University (1996)
• MS in Biological Engineering, Université de Technologie de Compiègne (2000)
• MS in Food Science, North Carolina State University (2004)
• PhD in Functional Genomics, North Carolina State University (2004)
• MBA, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011)

Barrangou's research focuses on CRISPR-Cas systems as bacterial adaptive immunity, with applications spanning food microbiology, microbiome engineering, and sustainable agriculture. His lab pioneers CRISPR-based solutions for phage resistance in dairy cultures, microbiome modulation, and forest tree improvement for carbon sequestration. He has established CRISPR as foundational technology in industrial fermentation, where CRISPR-enhanced cultures now produce billions of servings of yogurt and cheese globally.

His recent publications reveal accelerating applications in plant biotechnology, antimicrobial development, and microbiome therapeutics. Key trends include multiplex genome editing in crops, phage-delivered CRISPR systems, and climate-resilient forestry applications – demonstrating CRISPR's evolution from basic discovery to multi-sector impact.

Major recognitions include:

• Canada Gairdner International Award (2016)
• Warren Alpert Prize from Harvard Medical School (2016)
• Triple academy membership (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Inventors)
• National Inventors Hall of Fame induction (2023)
• 26 issued U.S. patents including foundational CRISPR food applications

As an entrepreneur, Barrangou co-founded Intellia Therapeutics, Locus Biosciences, TreeCo, Ancilia Biosciences, and CRISPR Biotechnologies. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of The CRISPR Journal and has built the global CRISPR community through organizing the first five international conferences. His current work applies CRISPR to sustainable forestry and next-generation food systems, aiming to impact both current and future global populations through carbon-capturing trees and climate-resilient crops.

His laboratory maintains active collaborations across academia and industry, with particular emphasis on translating CRISPR discoveries into real-world applications for food security and environmental sustainability.