Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA, a key element in the regulation of gene activity.
The Nobel Committee, announcing the award on Monday, October 7, in Sweden, hailed the discovery as a “groundbreaking advancement,” stating that it unveiled a completely new aspect of gene regulation. The Nobel Prize is widely regarded as the highest recognition in the scientific field.
Ambros and Ruvkun’s research led to the discovery of microRNA, a class of small RNA molecules that play an essential role in controlling gene expression. Their work demonstrated that the human genome encodes over 1,000 microRNAs, highlighting their critical role in various biological processes.
Victor Ambros, a professor of natural science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, carried out his research at Harvard University, while Gary Ruvkun, a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, conducted his research at Massachusetts General Hospital.
In their pioneering research, the two scientists studied the genetics of C. elegans, a small, 1-millimeter-long roundworm. Despite its size, C. elegans has specialized cells similar to those found in more complex animals, making it a valuable model for understanding tissue development in multicellular organisms.
The Nobel Committee explained that the duo’s work illuminated how gene regulation functions within cells, likening the information in chromosomes to an instruction manual for the body’s cells. Although all cells contain the same genetic information, microRNA allows cells, like muscle or nerve cells, to activate only the genes necessary for their specific functions.
This year’s prize comes after last year’s recognition of Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their contribution to mRNA vaccines, which played a pivotal role in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Ambros and Ruvkun’s prize includes an award of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1 million).
