2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to two American scientists for their discovery of microRNA

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine went to two American scientists, Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, for their discovery of microRNA, a new type of small RNA molecule that plays an important role in gene regulation.

Research based on a small worm called C. Elegans by two American scientists has revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation. This principle is essential for multicellular organisms, including humans, and is closely related to how organisms in the world move and develop.

The above award was announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at 12:00 on October 7 (Stockholm time, ie 16:45 - Hanoi time).

Two American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have become the winners of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine. (Photo: Nobel Prize).

Nobel Prize is a system of awards given to individuals and organizations that have achieved great achievements serving the benefit of humanity since 1901, according to the will of the famous scientist Alfred Nobel. This award honors individuals who have achieved achievements in the fields of: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and Peace; the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to an individual or an organization.

Since 1901, the Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine to a total of 227 individuals for their significant contributions to the field. The youngest Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine was Canadian Frederick Banting, who received the prize in 1923 at the age of 31 for his discovery of the pancreatic hormone insulin, which is used to treat diabetes. The oldest was Francis Peyton Rous, who was awarded the prize in 1966 at the age of 87, for his discovery of viruses that cause cancer.

Following the announcement of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on October 7 in Stockholm, the prizes will be awarded in Physics (October 8), Chemistry (October 9), Literature (October 10), Peace (October 11) and Economics (October 14). The laureates will be awarded a Nobel diploma, a Nobel medal and a prize of 11 million Swedish kronor (about $989,000) on December 10.

A Nobel Prize is usually awarded to a maximum of three people. If a prize is declined or not accepted, the prize money is returned to the fund.