Nobel Prize 2023 awarded to scientists behind mRNA vaccine breakthrough: All you need to know

This year's Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded to visionary scientists, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman . The award recognizes their groundbreaking work on messenger RNA ( mRNA ) vaccines, hailed as a pivotal tool in combating the spread of the Covid-19 virus. This prestigious honor, celebrated as the pinnacle of scientific achievement, was officially revealed by the Nobel Prize committee in Sweden. What is mRNA? Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is a type of nucleic acid that plays a crucial role in cellular machinery. Unlike the DNA, which serves as life's comprehensive instruction manual within each cell, mRNA is a transient piece of genetic code. Messenger RNA is a type of RNA that is necessary for protein production. Once cells finish making a protein, they quickly break down the mRNA. mRNA from vaccines does not enter the nucleus and does not alter DNA, according to MedicinePlus. Previously, scientists considered mRNA too fragile and unstable to be a viable therapeutic tool. The Nobel laureates' discovery Karikó and Weissman's revolutionary breakthrough centered on manipulating the building blocks of RNA, known as nucleotides. By modifying these nucleotides, they devised a method to trigger an immune response within our bodies. Their pioneering work proved instrumental in the development of highly effective mRNA vaccines against Covid-19. Their work involving modified nucleotides, the RNA building blocks, played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of RNA vaccines and the promise of new RNA-based medicines. Why mRNA vaccines stand out? Traditional vaccines often employ weakened or inactivated versions of the targeted viruses to stimulate an immune response. While effective, their development can be time-consuming, and adjustments are challenging. mRNA-based vaccines do not rely on modified viruses. Instead, they use engineered mRNA to instruct our cells to produce specific proteins. These proteins, harmless on their own, train the immune system to protect against a particular disease, offering a more adaptable approach to vaccine development. Overcoming adversity Katalin Karikó's fascination with the therapeutic potential of mRNA began during her graduate studies in Hungary. Despite numerous obstacles, including job losses, skepticism, and grant rejections, she remained unwavering in her conviction that mRNA could combat diseases, as reported CNN. Their seminal study was published in 2005, a full 15 years before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. At that time, there were substantial hurdles to surmount, such as manufacturing mRNA in large quantities and developing a reliable delivery method for introducing mRNA into cells. Their pioneering work laid the foundation for the swift development of mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines when the pandemic emerged. Beyond Covid-19 The advent of mRNA vaccine technology has not only provided a potent defense against Covid-19 but also opened the door to other possibilities. Early studies indicate that mRNA technology holds promise in treating various cancers, including melanoma and pancreatic cancer, while ongoing research explores its potential in vaccines for seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and HIV. Furthermore, researchers are investigating mRNA technology's potential to address autoimmune diseases and as a viable alternative to gene therapy for conditions such as sickle cell disease.