New Member Highlight: Ailong Ke
Meet biochemist and biophysicist Prof. Ailong Ke from Yale. Ailong joins the Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale as a Professor. He received the Cornell Provost Research Innovation award in 2018 and the RNA Society Mid-Career award in 2019. He was elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2024.
Hi Prof. Ke, we’d love to hear about your journey. What pivotal moments or experiences led you to join Yale, and what excites you most about being in Connecticut?
Three elements led to my decision to join the Yale faculty: 1. The close proximity to the medical school and the collaboration opportunities it brings; 2. The structural biology setup; 3. Colleagues who are as passionate as I am about molecular mechanisms and RNA biology.
Can you tell us about the specific aspects of your research that you’re most passionate about? What drives your curiosity and dedication in this field?
I am a biochemist and biophysicist. My main research focus right now is on RNA biology. I have a strong interest in understanding the diverse roles that RNA plays in biology, in today’s world as well as the ancient past. I am also interested in harnessing the power of RNA for research and medicine. The most famous example showcasing the power of RNA is the development of genome editing technology from Cas nuclease and guide RNA in the CRISPR system.
Who or what has influenced your research the most? Have particular theories, researchers, or experiences shaped your approach?
The people who influenced me the most are my Ph.D. and postdoc advisors, Cynthia Wolberger and Jennifer Doudna. The former showed me the power of structural biology and biophysics, and the latter passed on her passion for RNA to me.
The CRISPR field is especially competitive. There is no shortage of extremely talented investigators. I have learned a lot from them through competitions and collaborations.
I am fond of Richard Feynman’s quote, “What I cannot create, I do not understand.” Every time I solve a molecular puzzle, I go one step further to see if I can make something useful out of it.
What are some of the exciting research projects you’re currently working on?
We have several synthetic biology projects in the lab, trying to harness the power of CRISPR systems to cure genetic diseases, including cancer.
Beyond academia, what are some of your personal interests or hobbies?
Tennis, volleyball, soccer, fishing.