Professor Merlin Crossley is nationally and internationally recognised for his research into genetic diseases, and as a university leader and science communicator. Focussing on the molecular mechanisms underlying gene expression, he has been instrumental in isolating genes for multiple regulatory proteins (transcription factors and their co-regulators), and for characterising the mechanism of action of naturally occurring mutations that alter the expression of blood clotting factor and globin genes. His work with CRISPR gene editing has paved the way for new gene therapies for Sickle Cell Disease that involve introducing beneficial mutations to boost fetal globin expressionto alleviate symptoms.