Amendment No. 2 to Scientific Advisory Board Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2016, by and between the Registrant and Jennifer A. Doudna

Exhibit 10.53

Amendment No. 2 to Scientific Advisory Board Agreement

This Amendment No. 2, effective May 31, 2016 (“Amendment Effective Date”), is made to the Scientific Advisory Board Agreement, dated June 18, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Scientific Advisory Board Agreement, dated April 12, 2014 (collectively, the “SAB Agreement”), and is by and between Caribou Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation having its address at 2929 7^th Street, Suite 105, Berkeley, CA 94710, and Jennifer A. Doudna (“Advisor”), an individual. Each may be referred to as a “party” and collectively as the “parties.” Any capitalized term used herein that is not defined shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the SAB Agreement.

WHEREAS, the SAB Agreement will expire on June 18, 2016, and the parties wish to extend the Term of the Agreement for an additional two (2) years;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and undertakings hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment No. 2 to Scientific Advisory Board Agreement as of the Amendment Effective Date.