The Nobel Prize in medicine has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA, a fundamental principle governing how gene activity is regulated. Their research has proven to be “fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function”. MicroRNA provides genetic instructions to tell cells to make new proteins and plays a crucial role in the development and function of cells. Dr. Claire Fletcher, a lecturer in molecular oncology at Imperial College London, explains that microRNA can alter the activity of genes, allowing scientists to target specific genes and develop new treatments for diseases. For instance, in the case of cancer, a particular gene may be working overtime, and by delivering a microRNA that regulates that gene, scientists can stop the mutated gene from having its effect.
Ambros carried out his research at Harvard University, where he is currently a professor of natural science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Ruvkun’s research was undertaken at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, where he is a professor of genetics. The Nobel Committee praised their findings, which have the potential to lead to significant advancements in our understanding of gene regulation and the development of new treatments for diseases. The discovery of microRNA has significant implications for the field of medicine, particularly in the development of new cancer treatments.
Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun (Image via Getty)
By understanding how microRNA regulates gene activity, scientists can identify new targets for therapy and develop novel approaches to treating cancer. The discovery of microRNA also has the potential to lead to significant advancements in our understanding of gene regulation and the development of new treatments for diseases. The Nobel Prize in medicine is the second Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine to be awarded in the past two years, following the 2023 prize for the development of mRNA vaccines against Covid-19.
The discovery of microRNA has also raised new hopes for the treatment of other diseases, not just cancer. Researchers believe that microRNA could potentially be used to target specific diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. The discovery of microRNA has opened up new avenues for research and has the potential to lead to significant breakthroughs in the field of medicine.
The Nobel Prize in medicine is not the only prize to be awarded this year. The Nobel Prize in physics will be announced on Tuesday, followed by the awards in chemistry, literature, and peace. The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be revealed on October 14. The laureates will receive their awards at ceremonies on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
