The ground-breaking research of biochemist Thomas Tuschl and his method of silencing human genes, invented in 1999 and further refined through subsequent work, has become a vital tool for genetic research. Tuschl has facilitated the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to diseases and greatly advanced our understanding of genetics. His research helped found biopharmaceutical company Alnylam and develop promising treatments for diseases ranging from cancers to HIV to genetic liver abnormalities.
