Tang Prize laureates’ achievements have always been able to address mankind’s immediate needs, which is especially true at a time when scientists around the world are collaborating closely to come up with effective diagnostics, drugs and vaccines to combat COVID-19. Amid the virus fears came exciting news about Dr. Feng Zhang, 2016 Tang Prize winner in Biopharmaceutical Science and a pioneer in CRISPR gene-editing technology. A research protocol, based on CRISPR-Cas13, has been developed by Dr. Zhang and his team and can be used to establish a COVID-19 test using paper strips, with results coming out in 1-2 hours. If clinical trials can validate its accuracy, this diagnostic platform will truly aid in the effort to control the coronavirus outbreak.
On a lighter note, in preparation for the 2020 Tang Prize award ceremony, the Foundation is going to announce its winners on 4 consecutive days, from June 18 to 21 and hold the ceremony on September 25, at the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Center, where the latest laureates will be receiving their awards. We welcome everyone to join us in all the events taking place during the Tang Prize week. These will be rare opportunities to learn directly from our outstanding laureates, and engage in productive exchange of ideas with experts in natural and social science and in the humanities, as a concerted effort to make the world a better place.
Do stay tuned to our website and Facebook page for the latest news on the 2020 Tang Prize celebrations!
