Journal of Molecular BiologyVolume 438, Issue 8, 15 April 2026, 169683Author links open overlay panelCaixia GaoShow moreHighlights•

Established genome editing platforms from base editors to Mb-scale chromosome engineering.

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Revealed the TranC intermediate linking transposons to CRISPR and engineered it into a compact, efficient genome editing nuclease.

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Built in vivo plant directed evolution system to accelerate plant gene optimization.

Abstract

Caixia Gao received her Ph.D. in Agriculture from China Agricultural University in Beijing. She worked as a Research Scientist in the Research Division at DLF (a global seed company) in Denmark before establishing her own research group at the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Gao’s research began in plant molecular biology and has since expanded to encompass genome editing tool development and precision crop engineering. Her work sits at the forefront of modern genome engineering, aiming to create next-generation crops that are productive, resilient, and capable of sustaining a growing global population. Her work spans AI-guided genome manipulation, in vivo functional genomics, directed evolution, and the de novo creation of new agricultural species. Together, these efforts are reshaping molecular genetic engineering, accelerating protein and genome design, and opening new routes to rewriting the genetic code of life.

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The author declares that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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This article is part of a special issue entitled: ‘Pioneers in Molecular Biology (China)’ published in Journal of Molecular Biology.

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