Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun discovered microRNA, a new class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation. Their groundbreaking discovery in the small worm C. elegans revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation. This turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans. MicroRNAs are proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function.
Year: 2024
More infoThe 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA. This was a landmark discovery that fundamentally changed the understanding of how genes are regulated. The Research: Ambros and Ruvkun's research focused on the roundworm C. elegans to understand how genes control the timing of development. They discovered that a tiny, short piece of RNA, which they named microRNA, did not code for a protein. Instead, it attached to other messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, effectively silencing them and preventing protein production. This regulatory mechanism was a completely new finding, revealing a "hidden world" of genetic control. Significance: This discovery was so impactful because it showed that not all genes are meant to create proteins. Instead, a complex network of non-coding RNA molecules exists to fine-tune gene expression. This groundbreaking research has opened up new avenues for understanding and treating diseases. Since then, thousands of microRNAs have been identified in humans, and their dysregulation has been linked to various conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and heart disease. Researchers are now exploring how to use microRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Year: 2024
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