Ambros and Ruvkun Win 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA (miRNA), which plays a crucial role in gene regulation and cell specialization in multicellular organisms. Their research demonstrated how miRNA acts as a master regulator, controlling the activation and suppression of genes, which is essential for proper development and function of organisms, including humans. The Nobel Assembly highlighted that this discovery is significant for understanding various diseases, such as cancer, and could lead to new treatment methods. Ambros and Ruvkun's collaborative work began in the 1980s while studying the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, revealing key insights into gene activity. Experts have noted the potential of miRNA in drug development and as biomarkers for disease treatment. The Nobel recognition has been celebrated as a pivotal moment in molecular biology, underscoring the long-term impact of their research on the scientific community.