American researchers Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, announced the award on Monday.
Ambros and Ruvkun's were awarded for their discovery of microRNA—tiny pieces of genetic material, which play a crucial role in regulating gene activity at the cellular level.
This breakthrough is seen as pivotal in developing new approaches to treating diseases such as cancer.
The Nobel Assembly described their findings as "fundamentally important" for understanding how organisms develop and function.
MicroRNA work by providing genetic instructions that influence how cells produce proteins, according to Dr. Claire Fletcher, a molecular oncology lecturer at Imperial College London.
Fletcher, who is not affiliated with the Nobel Prize, explained that microRNA could be beneficial in two main areas: drug development and serving as biomarkers.
"MicroRNA alters how genes in the cell work," Fletcher said.
Using cancer as an example, Fletcher described how a mutated gene might be working in overdrive.
By introducing specific microRNA, scientists have the ability to potentially disrupt the activity of that gene in cancer cells.
"We can take a microRNA that we know alters the activity of that gene and we can deliver that particular microRNA to cancer cells to stop that mutated gene from having its effect."
Ambros conducted the research that led to the Nobel Prize while at Harvard University. He is now a professor of natural science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Ruvkun's work took place at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he is a professor of genetics.
Thomas Perlmann, Secretary-General of the Nobel Committee, said he informed Ruvkun of the award by phone shortly before the announcement.
"It took a long time before he came to the phone and sounded very tired, but he quite rapidly was quite excited and happy, when he understood what it was all about," Perlmann said.
This year's award follows last year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which went to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their work on mRNA vaccines.
These vaccines were instrumental in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nobel Prize comes with a monetary award of 11 million Swedish kronor, approximately $1 million.
The funds are part of a bequest from Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor who established the prize.
This announcement marks the beginning of this year's Nobel Prize season: the Physics Prize will be announced on Tuesday, followed by Chemistry on Wednesday and Literature on Thursday.
One prize that is not yet guaranteed is the Peace Prize, set to be revealed on Friday—experts have cast doubts on whether one will be awarded at all, given the events in the Middle East.
It has been suspended 19 times before, including during both world wars.
Commendations will conclude with Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, to be revealed on October 14.
The laureates will receive their awards during ceremonies on Dec. 10, which coincides with the 128th anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.
While the microRNA discovery has already opened new doors, there is still more research to be done.
Fletcher noted that clinical trials are underway to explore how microRNA approaches could treat skin cancer, though no drugs have yet been approved.
However, she expects progress within five to ten years.
She emphasized that microRNA offers a new way to control gene behavior and develop treatments for various diseases.
"The majority of therapies we have at the moment are targeting proteins in cells," she said.
"If we can intervene at the microRNA level, it opens up a whole new way of us developing medicines and us controlling the activity of genes whose levels might be altered in diseases."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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