Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have jointly received the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking research on the role of microRNA in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This discovery has fundamentally transformed our comprehension of the regulation of gene activity in multicellular organisms, such as humans.
Research on a little worm leads Nobel Prize
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ambros and Ruvkun conducted research on the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, a relatively simple organism. By studying mutant strains of this worm, they made a surprising finding: the lin-4 gene produced not a protein but a tiny RNA molecule that could inhibit the activity of the lin-14 gene.
New principle of gene regulation
Further experiments by the two researchers revealed a remarkable mechanism. It was found that the short lin-4 RNA sequence matched complementary sequences in the lin-14 messenger RNA (mRNA). This meant that the lin-4 microRNA could bind to the lin-14 mRNA and stop it from being translated into protein. A previously unknown type of RNA molecule mediated this completely new principle of gene regulation.
Initially, people viewed the discovery of microRNA as a peculiarity of the C. elegans system, leading to skepticism. However, Ruvkun’s team’s 2000 discovery of let-7, a highly conserved microRNA across the animal kingdom, changed this view. This sparked a wave of research, and today we know that the human genome codes for over 1,000 different microRNAs.
A way for healthy LIFE
The profound importance of microRNA-mediated gene regulation has become increasingly clear. Ambros and Ruvkun’s discovery revealed that this mechanism is essential for the normal development and function of multicellular organisms. Disruption of microRNA regulation can contribute to the development of various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.
The work of Ambros and Ruvkun has opened up an entirely new dimension to our understanding of gene regulation. Their groundbreaking discovery has not only advanced our scientific knowledge but also has profound implications for the future of medicine and biology.
Ambros and Ruvkun’s seminal discovery in the 1990s revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation that turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognizes the fundamental importance of Ambros and Ruvkun’s work, which has opened up new avenues for scientific research and has the potential to transform our understanding of biology and medicine.
For more information, please visit the Nobel Prize website.
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