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Nobel Prize for mRNA Vaccine Breakthrough

  • 04 Oct 2023

On 2nd Oct, 2023, the Nobel Prize in Medicine for 2023 recognized the pioneering work of Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman in the field of mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines.

Key Points:

  • Revolutionary mRNA Vaccine Breakthrough: mRNA is a molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA to the cell's cytoplasm, where it is utilized to produce specific proteins.
  • In the late 1980s, scientists identified the potential of using modified mRNA as the foundation for a novel type of vaccine, provided certain challenges could be overcome.
  • Overcoming Scientific Hurdles: The concept was to introduce modified mRNA into the body, instructing cells to produce a specific protein (e.g., a viral spike protein). This would trigger the immune system to recognize and respond to the protein while preparing for future encounters.
  • The synthetic mRNA had to survive in the body and effectively enter cells, a challenge that Dr. Karikó and Dr. Weissman addressed.
  • They began their collaborative efforts in the late 1990s, working on elucidating the processes of mRNA delivery into the body and the subsequent immune response.
  • Crucial Discovery: Despite significant progress, a major issue remained: the immune system identified synthetic mRNA as a foreign substance requiring elimination but left the body's own mRNA untouched.
  • Impact During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The groundbreaking research by Karikó and Weissman laid the foundation for utilizing mRNA as a platform for a new type of vaccine.
  • In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, mRNA vaccines played a vital role in lowering mortality rates.
  • These vaccines were developed at an unprecedented pace, though they also faced issues related to vaccine nationalism.
  • mRNA vaccines have been hailed for their speed of production, with the capability to generate sufficient doses within a single day for testing purposes.
  • Future Applications: Beyond COVID-19, scientists are exploring the potential of mRNA vaccines against other diseases, including influenza, dengue, various cancers, and autoimmune conditions.