Nobel for Medicine goes to discovery of microRNA

Two American biologists, Victor Ambros and Gary Rukvun, won the 2024 Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine for their persistent study of the humble roundworm and the function of microRNA in this tiny organism for 30 years and more.

They discovered the microRNA, which is a part of the messenger RNA, which is the backbone of the DNA that contains the genome code of all organisms from the fruit fly to human beings and other larger mammals. Ambros and Rukvun showed through their work that microRNA directs the function of cell differentiation in multi-cellular organisms, and which results in the same genome code embedded in the chromosomes, becoming the muscle cell, the nerve cell, the intestinal cell and so many different things that make a large organism like a human being. And if the microRNA misdirects this act of cell differentiation then this may result in cancer cells, and other dysfunctional elements in the human body and other organisms.

The Nobel Prize announcing the prize for medicine put in beguilingly simple language the microRNA phenomenon and why the discovery of its function is hugely important. The press release explains:

“This year’s Nobel prize honours two scientists for their discovery of a fundamental principle governing how gene activity is regulated.

“The information stored within our chromosomes can be likened to an instruction manual for all cells in our body. Every cell contains the same chromosomes, so every cell contains the same set of genes and exactly the same set of instructions. Yet different cell types, such as muscle and nerve cells, have very different characteristics. How do these differences arise? The answer lies in gene regulation, which allows each cell to select only the relevant instructions. This ensures that only the correct set of genes is active in each cell type.

“Viktor Ambros and Gary Rukvun were interested in how different cell types develop. They discovered microRNA, a new class of tiny RNA molecules that play a crucial role in gene regulation. Their groundbreaking discovery revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation that turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans. It is now known that the human genome codes for over one thousand microRNAs. Their surprising discovery revealed an entirely new dimension to gene regulation. MicroRNAs are proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function.”

Every year the Nobel prizes are awarded for important and innovative work done by scientists in the basic fields of physiology and medicine, physics and chemistry. But it is rare to come across a discovery that is so basic and yet so important on a macro scale. And the phenomenon can be understood by an ordinary reader with a general interest in science while it excites the scientists working at the highest level of research. Though the discovery is important and all credit should go to Ambros and Rukvun, the greater excitement is in knowing the phenomenon itself.

There is the belief that as science progresses, most of life’s and nature’s mysteries are unravelled. As a matter of fact, it is the other way round. The new discoveries deepen the mystery of the universe and its processes. The work done by microRNA is mindboggling. It shows how the miraculous processes of life are contained in the tiny molecules and how they create systems larger than themselves. Scientific discoveries make us awestruck by the wonders of the universe. Science deepens our respect for Nature and how it functions. And one is forced to admit that there is something sacred and divine in its workings. This year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology affords us a moment to pause and admire life’s mysteries.