US scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine on Monday for their discovery of microRNA and its crucial role in the growth and development of multicellular organisms. Their groundbreaking research has provided significant insights into how cells specialize and differentiate into various types, such as muscle and nerve cells, despite containing the same set of genes and instructions for survival.
Ambros and Ruvkun’s work has been instrumental in explaining the mechanism of gene regulation, shedding light on how the same genetic information can lead to the formation of different cell types. The Nobel Assembly lauded their discovery, noting that microRNAs represent a new class of tiny RNA molecules that play a pivotal role in gene regulation. This discovery unveiled a new principle of gene regulation essential for multicellular organisms, including humans.
Ruvkun, in an interview with Reuters, likened winning the Nobel Prize to being in “The Show” of Major League Baseball, signifying the global recognition and spotlight the award brings. He humorously remarked on the long-standing collaboration with Ambros, noting they have been “joined at the hip” for quite some time, which has been a rewarding experience. Ambros echoed this sentiment, expressing his happiness in sharing the award with a close friend.
MicroRNA acts as a communication network among genes, enabling cells to create various complex structures and functions, explained Ambros. Their research initially focused on how microRNAs in the roundworm govern the growth of organs and tissues. Although this discovery was initially dismissed as species-specific, subsequent work by Ruvkun’s group in 2000 demonstrated that the mechanism had been conserved across all animal life for over 500 million years.
MicroRNA’s significance lies in its role during the decoding and translation of single-strand messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins, the building blocks of all human and animal life. This process begins with the universal blueprint found in every cell nucleus, the double-helix DNA. The 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine highlighted the application of mRNA in COVID-19 vaccines, whereas this year’s award honors a fundamental leap in understanding with numerous potential future applications.
Professor Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam of the Karolinska Institute emphasized that while last year’s prize was linked to specific uses in COVID-19 vaccines, this year’s award celebrates a significant advancement in basic biological knowledge. The discoveries by Ambros and Ruvkun have paved the way for future research and applications, enhancing our understanding of gene regulation and cellular specialization.
