Nobel Prize 2024: What is microRNA?

As per a report in CNN, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to US scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their work on the discovery of microRNA, a molecule that governs how cells in the body function.

The Nobel Prize committee announced the prestigious honor, seen as the pinnacle of scientific achievement, in Sweden on Monday. It praised the “groundbreaking discovery,” which the committee said “revealed an entirely new dimension to gene regulation.”

What is RNA?

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a vital molecule in all living cells that play key roles in gene expression and protein synthesis. RNA is essential for translating genetic codes into proteins, regulating gene expression, and facilitating various cellular processes, making it crucial for the functioning of life.

What is microRNA?

MicroRNA (miRNA) is a small, non-coding RNA molecule, typically about 20-24 nucleotides long, that plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression. miRNAs bind to complementary sequences on messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, leading to the degradation of the mRNA or the inhibition of its translation into protein. This regulation helps control various biological processes, including development, cell differentiation, and stress response.

miRNAs are involved in many physiological and pathological processes, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and developmental disorders, making them important targets for research and potential therapeutic interventions.