He Nobel Prize in Medicine 2023 has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for his work in the messenger RNA technologywhich has been fundamental for the development of effective vaccines against COVID-19.
Below is an objective description of his work and significant contributions to this field.
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, who are they?
Katalin Kariko is a Hungarian-American biochemist who has dedicated more than 40 years of her career to the study of messenger RNA (mRNA).
He began his research on the properties of messenger RNA at the University of Szeged, Hungary, where he graduated in Biology in 1978 and earned his PhD in Biochemistry in 1982. In 1985, he emigrated to the United States with his family, where he continued his research on the mRNA.
Drew Weissman he is American; He currently serves as Professor of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and has worked on applications of RNA in vaccine development and gene therapy.
The work that earned them the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a molecule essential for life that is responsible for transmitting the genetic instructions necessary for the production of proteins in cells. The research by Karikó and Weissman focused on finding ways to stabilize mRNA and use it for therapeutic purposes.
One of the most notable achievements of his work was modifying mRNA so that it was more stable and did not degrade easily. This was a crucial breakthrough, since mRNA is a very fragile molecule and breaks down quickly in the body.
Karikó and Weissman also devised how to efficiently deliver mRNA into cells, using lipid nanoparticles to ensure its precise delivery.
The RNA-based vaccines messenger, such as those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, have revolutionized the way we fight infectious diseases like COVID-19. These vaccines use fragments of mRNA to instruct the body’s cells to produce a specific protein present in the virus, triggering an immune response. This technology enabled the rapid development of highly effective vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ ALSO. New strain of Covid-19 2023, what are the symptoms?
The Nobel Prize jury highlighted that discoveries of Karikó and Weissman They fundamentally changed our understanding of how mRNA interacts with the immune system and contributed to the unprecedented speed in vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times.
Messenger RNA, new possibilities for medicine
Karikó and Weissman’s work on messenger RNA technology has not only been vital in combating COVID-19, but also opens up new possibilities in the treatment of other infectious diseases and the delivery of therapeutic proteins.
Furthermore, their recognition as winners of the Nobel Prize in Medicine 2023 is a testament to their perseverance and dedication despite the challenges and rejections they faced on their path to scientific success.
This award not only highlights his exceptional contribution to science and medicine, but also recognizes Katalin Kariko as one of the few women to have received the Nobel Prize in Medicine, emphasizing the importance of diversity in scientific research.
He Nobel Prize in Medicine 2023 is a reminder of how science and innovation can fundamentally change the way we address disease and improve human health.