The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman “for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.”
mRNA vaccines work by delivering messenger RNA (mRNA) into the body. mRNA is a molecule that carries instructions from the DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are made. When the mRNA is delivered into the body, the ribosomes produce the protein that is encoded by the mRNA.
Karikó and Weissman made fundamental discoveries about how to modify mRNA so that it is not degraded by the body’s immune system and can be efficiently delivered to cells. These discoveries were essential for the development of the mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, which have been used to vaccinate billions of people around the world.
In a statement, Karikó said that she is “honored and humbled” to receive the Nobel Prize. She said that the award is a testament to the hard work of many scientists who have contributed to the field of mRNA research.
Weissman said that the award is “a great recognition of the importance of mRNA vaccine technology.” He said that he is “excited to see what the future holds for this technology,” and that he believes that mRNA vaccines will continue to be used to develop new vaccines against other diseases.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is one of the most prestigious awards in science. It is awarded annually to scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the field of physiology or medicine.
The 2023 Nobel Prize winners will be awarded their prizes at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 10, 2023.
Impact of Karikó and Weissman’s Discoveries
The discoveries of Karikó and Weissman have had a profound impact on the world. The mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 have saved millions of lives and helped to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
mRNA vaccine technology is also being developed to prevent and treat other diseases, such as cancer, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. Karikó and Weissman’s work has laid the foundation for a new era of vaccine development and disease prevention.