Breakthrough in Gene Regulation
2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA.
2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA.
These small molecules play a crucial role in governing how cells function, revealing a new dimension of gene regulation.
Initial discovery in tiny roundworms (C. elegans) led to insights applicable across the animal kingdom, including humans.
First discovered in 1993, microRNA's importance was initially overlooked. It took years for its significance to be recognized.
MicroRNA helps explain how cells with the same genetic material can develop into different types, like muscle or nerve cells.
This discovery opens new avenues for diagnosing and treating diseases, including cancer and genetic disorders.
The Nobel Committee recognizes this discovery as 'of fundamental importance to understand how cells work, and thus how organisms develop.' It has affected nearly all fields of biology and medicine.
{{ primary_category.name }}