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Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun Win 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA and its pivotal role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
This achievement marks a significant advancement in the understanding of how gene activity is regulated within cells.
Discovering microRNA: A New Dimension in Gene Regulation
Ambros and Ruvkun’s research, which focused on understanding how different cell types develop, led to the identification of microRNA, a previously unknown class of tiny RNA molecules that have a critical role in gene regulation. Their work uncovered a new mechanism of gene regulation essential for the functioning of multicellular organisms, including humans.
Their discovery revealed that microRNAs are key players in controlling gene expression and contribute to the development and function of cells. Today, it is known that the human genome encodes over a thousand microRNAs, which play essential roles in various biological processes and have implications for disease and therapeutic development.
Nobel Prize Ceremony and History
The Nobel Prize in Medicine, awarded by the Karolinska Institutet, comes with a prize amount of 11 million Swedish crowns. The 2024 Medicine Prize is the first to be announced, with other Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economics to follow.
Established in 1901 by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Prizes honor outstanding contributions in various fields, including science, literature, and humanitarian efforts. Since its inception, the Medicine Prize has been awarded 114 times, recognizing 225 laureates.
Last Year’s Nobel Laureates
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their discoveries that enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, which have proven to be a game-changer in managing the pandemic.
The Nobel ceremonies, scheduled for December 10, will take place at the Stockholm Concert Hall and Oslo City Hall. The events will be attended by the Swedish royal family and numerous dignitaries, as the laureates receive their diplomas and medals.
