New Delhi: In a landmark achievement, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their pioneering discovery of microRNA, a crucial element in the regulation of gene activity. This discovery has been hailed as a fundamental principle that governs how genes are expressed and regulated within organisms, playing a vital role in development and function.
Revolutionizing Our Understanding of Gene Regulation
Victor Ambros conducted his groundbreaking research at Harvard University and is currently a professor of natural science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Gary Ruvkun carried out his research at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he serves as a professor of genetics. Their work has unveiled a new dimension in gene regulation, revealing how tiny RNA molecules, known as microRNAs, control the expression of genes, ensuring that the correct genes are active in each cell type.
A Legacy of Innovation
The Nobel Assembly emphasized the profound impact of Ambros and Ruvkun’s discovery, stating that it is “proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function”. This discovery adds to the legacy of Nobel Prize-winning research that has significantly advanced our understanding of biology and medicine.
Continuing the Tradition of Excellence
Last year, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Hungarian-American Katalin Karikó and American Drew Weissman for their work on mRNA vaccines, which were instrumental in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s prize continues the tradition of recognizing groundbreaking scientific achievements that have far-reaching implications for human health.
The Nobel Prize Award Season Begins
The announcement of the Nobel Prize in Medicine marks the beginning of this year’s Nobel Prize award season. The physics prize will be announced on Tuesday, followed by chemistry on Wednesday, and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed on Friday, and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be announced on October 14. The laureates will receive their awards at a ceremony on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
