US scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine for their discovery of microRNA and its vital role in the growth and development of multicellular organisms, Reuters reports.
Their research clarified how cells differentiate into various types, such as muscle and nerve cells, despite all cells containing the same genetic material. Ambros described microRNA as a “communication network among genes,” essential for the development of complex structures in the body. Their findings were initially observed in a roundworm and were later proven to be fundamental to all animal life, dating back over 500 million years. Their work has since contributed to a deeper understanding of diseases, including epilepsy.
The Nobel Assembly recognized their work as a significant advancement in fundamental biological understanding, with many potential future applications. The prize includes 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million), and the formal ceremony will take place on December 10.
