The U.S. National Science Foundation congratulates Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Their breakthrough discovery of microRNAs, a fundamental component of how gene activity is regulated, transformed our knowledge of cell development and the kinds of genetic material contained within the cells in all types of organisms. Their groundbreaking discovery has led to advances in medicine, agriculture and other fields.
Prior to Ambros and Ruvkun’s work, the consensus was that gene expression—the process that controls how a cell can become a specific type of cell like skin or heart even if the DNA contained within all cells is the same—is regulated by specialized proteins known as transcription factors. The discovery of microRNAs and their role in selecting the instructions needed for a specific cell type dramatically altered the understanding of the process and has led to a more in-depth understanding of how cells develop, and what occurs when that development goes awry.
NSF has supported the research work of Ambros, including his early work to identify the first microRNA ever discovered, and that discovery resulted in one of the key publications cited by the Nobel Prize committee.
“Today, we honor the researchers whose groundbreaking discoveries related to microRNAs have led to advancements that are saving lives and advancing the bioeconomy in ways that were not possible just a couple of decades ago,” said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “To these newest laureates, I extend my sincere congratulations on receiving the most prestigious scientific award in the world and also my gratitude for your steadfast dedication to promoting the progress of science.”
2024年诺贝尔生理学或医学奖揭晓!
获奖人:Victor Ambros , Gary Ruvkun
获奖理由:发现microRNA及其在转录后基因调控中的作用
诺贝尔生理学或医学奖根据已故的瑞典化学家阿尔弗雷德•诺贝尔的遗嘱而设立,目的在于表彰在生理学或医学界有卓越发现的人。该奖奖章图案是医学天才将一本打开的书放在她的膝盖上,从岩石中收集泉水,为生病的女孩解渴。奖章上刻有一句拉丁文,大致翻译为:新的发现使生命更美好。
诺贝尔生理学或医学奖截至2023年的统计数据(来源:诺奖官网)
据统计,自1901年首次颁发该奖以来,诺贝尔生理学或医学奖已累计颁发了115次,共有超过220人获得这一奖项,10多位女性获奖。
去年,诺贝尔生理学或医学奖授予Katalin Karikó 和 Drew Weissman,他们发现了核苷碱基修饰,从而使开发出有效的抗COVID-19 mRNA疫苗成为可能。
值得一提的是,2015年,中国科学家屠呦呦“因发现了治疗疟疾的新疗法”获得了该奖,成为亚洲第一位获得这一奖项的女性科学家。
最后,祝贺今年获奖的科学家,向改变人类命运的伟大科学家致敬!