Victor Ambros and Harry Ravkin received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
The award was given for “the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.”
MicroRNAs are a vital regulatory mechanism used in cells to control gene activity. MicroRNAs are a special class of short ribonucleic acid molecules, RNA, that, along with other molecules, determine the activity of many genes. In many cases, it depends on microRNAs whether a certain gene will be active in certain cells of the body.
Genetic information moves from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) through a process called transcription, and then to the cellular machinery to create protein. There, the mRNA is translated so that proteins are made according to the genetic instructions stored in the DNA.
Proteins perform many functions in the body, including building tissue, supporting cellular structures, participating in metabolic processes, and protecting the body.
In 2023, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for their “discoveries in the modification of nucleic acid backbones that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines for COVID-19.”
The announcement of the prize winners in the field of physiology and medicine opens the Nobel week. On October 8, the names of Nobel laureates in physics will be announced, on October 9 – in chemistry, and on October 10 – in literature. On October 11, the Peace Prize laureate will be named in Oslo, and on October 14, it will become known who received the Prize in Economics in Memory of Alfred Nobel (it was founded by the Bank of Sweden in 1968).
In each category, the monetary part of the Nobel Prize is 11 million Swedish kronor. At current exchange rates, that’s just over $1 million.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.