#VIPR
July 5, 2026 at 1:57 AM
We present VIPR, a phage-encoded RNA-guided system that recognizes DNA with a noncontiguous code unlike CRISPR.

Tiny, programmable, possibly ancestral to CRISPR immunity; VIPR is built around a striking RNA-DNA-DNA triplex.
Excited to share our discovery of a new programmable RNA-guided DNA-targeting system hiding inside bacteriophages that predates CRISPR.

We call it VIPR (Viral Interference Programmable Repeat), and it uses an entirely new logic to find its targets.

Thread + link below.
April 27, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Out now in Science: Two papers from our lab reveal VIPR, an RNA-guided DNA-targeting system in bacteriophages, providing clues to the origins of CRISPR
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Congrats to Peter Yoon, @kenjmloi.bsky.social @terryzzy.bsky.social, T.Docter & team
A noncontiguous code for RNA-guided DNA recognition at the origin of CRISPR-Cas
CRISPR-Cas provides RNA-mediated adaptive immunity, but how its first RNA-guided effector arose is unclear. In this study, we report the discovery of Viral Interference Programmable Repeat (VIPR) syst...
www.science.org
September 19, 2026 at 1:12 AM
one of the FTEs discovered VIPR, so I am dubious about the claim that Claude did all the thinking and humans did only the pipetting

bsky.app/profile/huis...
September 24, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Excited to share our discovery of a new programmable RNA-guided DNA-targeting system hiding inside bacteriophages that predates CRISPR.

We call it VIPR (Viral Interference Programmable Repeat), and it uses an entirely new logic to find its targets.

Thread + link below.
April 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM
“On Thursday, scientists reported that they had found another gene-editing defense in nature, this one in viruses…

This system, called VIPR, appears to be more than four billion years old, and it seems be the evolutionary ancestor of CRISPR… It may prove to be the more powerful gene-editing tool”
The Next Gene-Editing Technology May Also Be the Oldest
Scientists have discovered a powerful gene-targeting system in viruses. Billions of years old, VIPR seems to predate CRISPR and may be even more effective.
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2026 at 1:02 AM
RAD NEW PREMIERE 👇🏻

#scriptsky #stuntlist #VIPR
Lights. Camera. RADNESS—

For your consideration, the VIPR world premiere of GENIE, an ultra rad short film from Brandon Weavil. Link below ⚡️

“So, you’re telling me I can’t be a writer unless I’ve suffered some sort of trauma?” #scriptsky #filmsky
November 25, 2024 at 11:34 PM
Two of the Anthropic scientists were previously in Doudna's lab. One of them co-discovered the VIPR system.
September 28, 2026 at 12:44 AM
Weekly #regenerative reads: Longeveron MSC trial misses primary endpoint, CRISPR ancestor VIPR, distinct human brain progenitors, FDA staffing woes ipscell.com/2026/09/week... #stemcells
Weekly reads: Longeveron MSC trial disappoints, CRISPR ancestor VIPR, distinct human brain progenitors, FDA staffing woes - The Niche
Biologist discusses Weekly regenerative news including Longeveron trial disappoints, CRISPR ancestor VIPR, distinct human brain progenitors.
ipscell.com
September 20, 2026 at 2:01 PM
7 | COPY by @minorfracas.bsky.social & Cameron Gallagher.

A VIPR FILMS world premiere for their new short horror film.

“A woman uneasy about her pregnancy learns the copier isn't just for paper.”

WATCH: officialstuntlist.com/vipr-copy
February 3, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I wrote about what came before CRISPR 4 billion years ago: a war among viruses. Gift link: nyti.ms/3TBq4q0
The Next Gene-Editing Technology May Also Be the Oldest (Gift Article)
Scientists have discovered a powerful gene-targeting system in viruses. Billions of years old, VIPR seems to predate CRISPR and may be even more powerful.
nyti.ms
September 17, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Pretty surreal to see our work in The New York Times.

Thank you, Carl Zimmer, for sharing the story of VIPR!

www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/s...
The Next Gene-Editing Technology May Also Be the Oldest (Gift Article)
Scientists have discovered a powerful gene-targeting system in viruses. Billions of years old, VIPR seems to predate CRISPR and may be even more effective.
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Adaptive immunity may have begun not as a bacterial invention. Ancient phages likely used VIPR-like systems against rivals. Bacteria acquired one, coupled it to a Cas1-like integrase, and transformed viral conflict into heritable immune memory.
April 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM
First author co-discovered the VIPR system btw.
September 23, 2026 at 10:37 PM
🎙️ LIVE
With Professor Omer Bartov, one of the world’s leading genocide scholars, to discuss his New York Times article:
"I’m a Genocide Scholar. I Know It When I See It."

📩 I'm collecting questions from YOU—the audience—for this important conversation.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1Os...
"I'm a Genocide Scholar. I Know It When I See It" - Prof Omer Bartov (247)
YouTube video by VIPR - Varna Peace Institute
www.youtube.com
July 22, 2025 at 12:09 PM
VIPR is now out in Science!

What started with a mysterious RNA led us to an unexpected way of recognizing DNA, as well as some clues to CRISPR’s origins.

So happy to share these two papers with an incredible team. Links below; original discovery thread here ↓
Excited to share our discovery of a new programmable RNA-guided DNA-targeting system hiding inside bacteriophages that predates CRISPR.

We call it VIPR (Viral Interference Programmable Repeat), and it uses an entirely new logic to find its targets.

Thread + link below.
September 18, 2026 at 4:38 PM
VIPR RNA-guided DNA recognition by noncontiguous geometric triplex formation | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
VIPR RNA-guided DNA recognition by noncontiguous geometric triplex formation
Viral interference programmable repeat (VIPR) systems use a noncontiguous code for RNA-guided transcriptional silencing. How the Vipr protein and a VIPR RNA (vrRNA) comprising alternating GGY and NN s...
www.science.org
September 18, 2026 at 1:14 AM
Really excited to see these two important and fascinating VIPR papers out in Science! It was a real privilege to write the accompanying Perspective and explore what this remarkable system might tell us about RNA-guided immunity and the origins of CRISPR. Congratulations to the whole team! 🧬
September 21, 2026 at 8:19 AM
CryoEM revealed a striking structure. VIPR wraps around DNA as a protein filament, holding the guide RNA and both DNA strands together in a triplex core.
April 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM
NEW VIPR FILM PREMIERE—

Dropping this Monday! Debut proof of concept from a rad writer-director.

It’s FIGHT CLUB meets CHARLIE KAUFMAN laced with TARANTINO. #scriptsky #filmsky #stuntsky
November 20, 2024 at 4:02 PM
Once we decoded this rule, the natural targets pointed to competing phages. VIPR presents RNA-guided warfare between viruses.
April 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Diskussion: Krieg & Frieden - multipolare Weltordnung und öko-imperiale Kriege
Buchvorstellung "Kritische Friedenforschung"

m.youtube.com/watch?v=YauL...

#buch #bücher #buchvorstellung #buchlesung #buchtipp #buchdestages #buchdesmonats #buchderwoche #bücherempfehlung #frieden #friedensforschung
Öko-Imperiale Spannungen, Multipolarität, Buchvorstellung - Josef Mühlbauer
YouTube video by VIPR - Varna Peace Institute
m.youtube.com
October 19, 2024 at 10:39 PM
We went looking for CRISPR’s roots. A structure-guided search uncovered a phage-encoded family of RAMP-like proteins. Phylogeny suggests VIPR predates Cas5-7.
April 27, 2026 at 9:32 PM