Duo of scientists receive Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering microRNA

In other words, these RNA micromolecules help muscle cells, gut cells, and different types of nerve cells to perform their specific functions. “It is now known that the human genome encodes more than a thousand microRNAs.”

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were interested in how different cell types develop. They discovered microRNA, a new class of small RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation. MicroRNAs are proving to be fundamentally important for (understanding) how organisms develop and function.

If gene regulation goes wrong, it can lead to serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes or autoimmunity. Therefore, understanding the regulation of gene activity has been an important goal for many decades.
Nobel Assembly

They will share a prize of 11 million Swedish kronor (around R$5.8 million), in addition to receiving diplomas and 18-karat gold medals. The Swedish king is expected to present the awards at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death, followed by a lavish banquet.

Winners study Molecular Biology and genetics. Victor Ambros, 71, is a professor of Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Medicine and a principal investigator at Harvard University. Gary Ruvkun, 72, is a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and is part of the Department of Molecular Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is a principal investigator.

Since 1901, 114 Physiology and Medicine prizes have been awarded. Last year, the big winners were Hungarian biochemist Katalin Karikó and American researcher Drew Weissman, recognized for their work on messenger RNA (mRNA), which paved the way for the development of vaccines against Covid-19.