In a groundbreaking achievement, American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine on Monday for their pioneering work on microRNA and its critical role in gene regulation. This discovery has shed light on a fundamental mechanism that had puzzled scientists for decades, according to the Nobel Assembly at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute.
The scientists’ work highlights how microRNA, a small non-coding RNA molecule, plays an essential role in regulating gene expression, which is crucial for the development and function of multicellular organisms, including humans. The Nobel jury described this finding as a “completely new principle of gene regulation” and emphasized its importance for understanding diseases like cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune conditions, which can arise when gene regulation malfunctions.
Ruvkun, a 72-year-old professor at Harvard Medical School, expressed his surprise at receiving the prestigious honor, telling AFP he was shocked when he got the early morning call from the Nobel committee. “It’s quite a sea change,” Ruvkun said, comparing this recognition to other awards he has received in the past, noting that the attention from this win was overwhelming with “TV crews, photographers, and 300 email messages from friends” arriving shortly after the announcement.
His excitement was shared with his long-time collaborator and friend, Victor Ambros. The two scientists, who have worked together for years, celebrated their win with a cheerful FaceTime call, exchanging virtual high-fives. “We’ve been buddies for years,” Ruvkun remarked, highlighting their shared journey in genetic research.
Ruvkun humorously mentioned that although the scientific community might not have the reputation of being “party animals,” the upcoming Nobel gala banquet in Stockholm on December 10, where he and Ambros will receive their prizes from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, will indeed be a grand celebration.
The Nobel win for Ambros and Ruvkun has sparked widespread discussions online, with trending keywords such as #NobelPrize2024, #GeneRegulation, and #microRNA gaining traction. The scientific community and the general public alike are celebrating this remarkable advancement in understanding the intricate world of gene regulation and its impact on human health.
I dont get why they won, there are other scientists who deserve it more. This feels like a popularity contest.
I dont get why they won the Nobel Prize for discovering microRNAs. Seems like a minor achievement compared to other medical breakthroughs.
I dont get why they won the Nobel Prize for just discovering microRNA. It doesnt seem like a groundbreaking achievement to me.
I dont get why they won. I mean, microRNAs are cool and all, but Nobel Prize worthy? Meh.
I dont get why they won. MicroRNAs are overrated. Shouldve gone to someone studying something more relevant.
Wow, great achievement by Ambros and Ruvkun! But do we really need more Western scientists winning Nobel Prizes? Diversity matters too.
I think they only won because of luck! There are more deserving scientists out there who deserve the Nobel Prize.
I mean, sure they won the Nobel Prize, but do we really need to hype up microRNAs this much? #OverratedScience
I dont get why they won. There are more deserving scientists out there. It feels like they just got lucky.
Luck or not, their work spoke for itself. Deserving winners, whether you see it or not.