Dr. Xu earned his Ph.D. in reproductive physiology from the University of Connecticut in 2002, focusing on animal cloning and telomere biology. A pioneer in applying gene editing tools in biomedical research, he led projects creating innovative preclinical animal models like immunodeficient and cystic fibrosis rabbits at the University of Michigan. Dr. Xu also enhanced gene editing techniques, developing miCas9, a novel Cas9 variant known for its improved efficacy and safety.