Victor Ambros, Gary Ruvkun Win Nobel Prize in Medicine

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to David Baker for his work on computational protein design, while Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper received the other half for their AI model that predicts protein structures, a breakthrough with significant implications for biotechnology and medicine. In the field of Medicine, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were honored for their discovery of microRNA, which plays a crucial role in gene regulation and has the potential to impact treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes. Their pioneering research, conducted on the roundworm C. elegans, revealed how microRNAs manage gene activity, thus explaining cellular specialization. The Nobel Committee emphasized that these discoveries could confer substantial benefits to humanity and deepen our understanding of biological processes. The announcement of the Nobel prizes continues this week, with literature and peace awards yet to be revealed.