| 02 October 2023
| Christie Anto
In a momentous recognition of their contributions to science and humanity, Hungarian-born scientist Katalin Kariko and American researcher Drew Weissman have been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pioneering work in developing mRNA vaccine technology that led to the rapid creation of COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna. This historic announcement was made by the Nobel Prize awarding body in Stockholm, Sweden.
The Nobel Committee praised the laureates for their extraordinary efforts in the race against time to combat one of the most significant threats to human health in recent history. The mRNA vaccine technology they helped advance has played an instrumental role in our global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Katalin Kariko, currently a professor at Sagan's University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, worked closely with Drew Weissman during their groundbreaking research at the University of Pennsylvania. Their collaboration ultimately paved the way for the development of the mRNA vaccines that have saved countless lives worldwide.
On December 10, the anniversary of the death of Nobel Prize founder Alfred Nobel in 1896, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman will be honored in a formal ceremony in Stockholm. They will receive the prestigious Nobel Prize, which includes a diploma, a gold medal, and a $1 million cash award, from King Carl XVI Gustaf.
This year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine had a competitive field, with other noteworthy contenders in the race. Among them was American biologist Kevan Shokat, whose groundbreaking work involved unraveling the mysteries of the KRAS cancer gene, responsible for a significant portion of cancer cases, including some of the most challenging types, such as lung, colon, and pancreatic tumors.
Two American biologists, Stanislas Leibler and Michael Elowitz, were also strong contenders for their revolutionary research in synthetic biology. Their work in synthetic gene circuits has reshaped the field and provided scientists with the tools to engineer organisms with new capabilities, opening up a world of possibilities for genetic manipulation.
Last year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Swedish scientist Svante Pääbo for his groundbreaking discoveries in human evolution, shedding light on Neanderthal DNA and its implications for our immune system, particularly our vulnerability to severe COVID-19.
The anticipation continues as the Nobel Prize announcements for other categories are on the horizon. The world eagerly awaits the revelations of the physics prize on Tuesday, the chemistry prize on Wednesday, and the literature prize on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize recipient will be disclosed on Friday, and the economics award will be announced on October 9, capping off another year of celebrating remarkable achievements in science, literature, and peace-building on a global scale.
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