Nobel Prize for Medicine Goes to US Duo Who Discovered MicroRNA

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, U.S. scientists, were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its vital role in the growth and development of multicellular organisms. Their research shed light on the process by which cells specialize and differentiate into various types, such as muscle and nerve cells, despite containing the same genetic material.

Ruvkun expressed his excitement at being recognized on a global scale, likening the Nobel Prize to “The Show” in Major League Baseball. He humorously mentioned that his close collaboration with Ambros over the years had made them inseparable. Ambros reciprocated the sentiment, referring to Ruvkun as a great friend.

The Nobel Assembly commended the laureates for their discovery of a new class of small RNA molecules that play a critical role in gene regulation, essential for the functioning of multicellular organisms. Ambros described microRNA as a communication network that enables cells to develop complex structures and functions.

Both Ambros and Ruvkun have affiliations with prestigious medical schools in the United States and conducted their pioneering research in the late 1980s. Initially dismissed as species-specific, their findings on microRNAs governing organ and tissue growth in a roundworm were later proven to be a fundamental mechanism in all animal life.

Their work on microRNA, a key player in protein synthesis and cellular function, has broad implications for understanding diseases and advancing medical research. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded by Sweden’s Karolinska Institute, recognizes breakthroughs in scientific knowledge and innovation.

Established by Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Prizes honor achievements in various fields, including science, literature, peace, and economics. The laureates receive a substantial prize sum and are celebrated at ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo every year.

Their work has not only contributed to our understanding of basic biological processes but also holds promise for future medical advancements and therapeutic interventions. The Nobel Prize underscores the importance of scientific research in improving human health and well-being.