The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine rewards two scientists for their discovery of a fundamental principle governing the regulation of genetic activity. The Nobel committee recognizes Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for the discovery of microRNA, a new class of small RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation.
The information stored in our chromosomes can be compared to an instruction manual for all the cells in our body. Every cell contains the same chromosomes, so every cell contains exactly the same set of genes and exactly the same set of instructions. However, different types of cells, such as muscle and nerve cells, have very different characteristics. How do these differences arise? The answer lies in genetic regulation, which allows each cell to select only the relevant instructions. This ensures that only the correct set of genes are active in each cell type.
Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were interested in how different types of cells develop. They discovered microRNAs, a new class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation. Their groundbreaking discovery revealed a completely new principle of genetic regulation that has proven essential for multicellular organisms, including humans. We now know that the human genome encodes more than a thousand microRNAs. Their surprising discovery revealed a whole new dimension of genetic regulation. MicroRNAs appear to be of fundamental importance for the development and function of organisms.
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