By Lily Bourne
Across the world in Stockholm, Sweden, the Karolinska Institute awarded Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkan the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine on October 7, 2024. The biologists earned the award for their illuminating work in identifying microRNA’s influence on the genes of cells.
MicroRNA are similar to mRNA–the messenger RNAs–but are typically shorter and instead influence whether the mRNA gets translated into proteins. Basically, the microRNA has the power to turn on or off the mRNA.The scientists discovered that these microRNA could be “modulated by molecular relatives”, according to Science.org.
Ambros and Ruvkan began working with microRNA in the 80s, experimenting on roundworms with genetic mutations to see what changed their DNA. They found that one specific gene was blocking another gene, but couldn’t figure out exactly why. Eventually, they found that the first gene–known as lin-4–created a small strand of RNA that could bind to the other gene’s mRNA.
While this discovery impressed many scientists, it wasn’t until 2000 that microRNA was widely acknowledged as a part of animal DNA systems. Ruvkan discovered a new microRNA–let-7–that behaved similarly and was found in many organisms. After that discovery, Science.org explains that scientists have identified “tens of thousands of microRNA-encoding genes”.
Biologists are now investigating the possible uses microRNA could have in the world of physiology and medicine. They hope that eventually, this mechanism could help fight complex medical challenges, like cancer. Because microRNA have the ability to target many genes at once, they have an advantage over more difficult-to-treat diseased cells. However, researchers have made slow progress, as they must ensure that microRNA do not affect the wrong genes.
While researchers still have a long way to go before microRNA can fully support new medical advancements, Ambros and Ruvkan’s discovery has provided the field with valuable insight into the microscopic world.