Nobel Prize, MicroRNA

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024 has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNA molecules that play a crucial role in regulating gene expression. They have been implicated in various biological processes, including development, differentiation, and disease.
The journey of discovery
Ambros and Ruvkun made their groundbreaking discovery while studying the developmental timing of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans. They found that a small RNA molecule, which they named lin-4, was essential for the proper timing of larval development. Further research revealed that lin-4 was just one of a family of small RNAs that played a similar role in regulating gene expression. These RNAs were later named microRNAs.
MicroRNA and gene regulation
MicroRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of target mRNAs. This binding can lead to the mRNA being degraded or its translation being inhibited. MicroRNAs are thought to regulate the expression of hundreds or even thousands of genes, making them key players in a wide range of biological processes.
Clinical applications
The discovery of microRNAs has opened up new avenues for research into the diagnosis and treatment of disease. MicroRNAs have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers are currently developing microRNA-based therapies to treat these diseases.

The discovery of microRNAs has been a major breakthrough in the field of molecular biology. MicroRNAs have emerged as key players in gene regulation and have been implicated in a wide range of biological processes and diseases. The work of Ambros and Ruvkun has paved the way for new research and therapeutic applications that have the potential to improve human health.