Nobel Prize in medicine honors 2 scientists for their discovery of microRNA
Last edited Mon Oct 7, 2024, 11:55 AM - Edit history (1)
Source: AP
Updated 11:42 AM EDT, October 7, 2024
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Two scientists won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine on Monday for their discovery of microRNA, tiny bits of genetic material that serve as on and off switches inside cells that help control what the cells do and when they do it.
If scientists can better understand how they work and how to manipulate them, it could one day lead to powerful treatments for diseases like cancer.
The work by Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun is “proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function,” according to a panel that awarded the prize in Stockholm.
Ambros and Ruvkun were initially interested in genes that control the timing of different genetic developments, ensuring that cell types develop at the right time.
Their discovery ultimately “revealed a new dimension to gene regulation, essential for all complex life forms,” the panel said.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/nobel-medicine-dc84622d7a15317bc83e873d3f9a2dbf
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The 2024 #NobelPrize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
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5:32 AM · Oct 7, 2024
Article updated.
Previous article/headlines -
Updated 6:10 AM EDT, October 7, 2024
STOCKHOLM (AP) -- The Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded Monday to Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA, a fundamental principle governing how gene activity is regulated.
The Nobel Assembly said that their discovery is "proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function."
Ambros performed the research that led to his prize at Harvard University. He is currently a professor of natural science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Ruvkun's research was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, where he's a professor of genetics, said Thomas Perlmann, Secretary-General of the Nobel Committee.
Perlmann said he spoke to Ruvkun by phone shortly before the announcement."It took a long time before he came to the phone and sounded very tired, but he quite rapidly, was quite excited and happy, when he understood what, it was all about," Perlmann said.
Original article/headline -
Updated 5:46 AM EDT, October 7, 2024
STOCKHOLM (AP) -- The Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded Monday to Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA, a fundamental principle governing how gene activity is regulated.
The Nobel Assembly said that their discovery is "proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function."
Ambrose performed the research that led to his prize at Harvard University. He is currently a professor of natural science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Rackham's research was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School, where he's a professor of genetics, said Thomas Perlmann, Secretary-General of the Nobel Committee.
Last year, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to Hungarian-American Katalin Karik and American Drew Weissman for discoveries that enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 that were critical in slowing the pandemic.
= new reply since forum marked as read
focused vaccine work. I am not sure where I said anything that contradicts this. If you read the articles about it that should be clear. 
Every major advance in applied research has basic science research/work as its precursor. That is called basic science research as opposed to APPLIED research and is one of the areas that NIH has always had the most difficulty impressing Congress to fund. Because they don't get it or the value in laying the framework for future APPLIED research. The applied aspects of these Nobel winner's work will not only lay groundwork for further future vaccines but as is already being looked at, targeted therapies for some cancers and other conditions.
You should know the applied researchers most credited for taking mRNA research to develop mRNA vaccines received the Nobel Prize last year (and in their acceptance speech, one or both did credit the work of the current winners):
I have to add that I was amused that getting a phone call at 4:30 AM is considered a typical indication that the Nobel Prize Committee is calling. I would have expected a better understanding of time zones among those who announce the prize to recipients. 