American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday for their discovery of microRNA, tiny molecules that regulate gene expression. Their pioneering research in the 1990s uncovered a new layer of genetic control, offering insights into human development and disease.
Ambros first identified microRNA in 1993, while Ruvkun later discovered similar molecules in humans and other species. These RNA fragments, about 100 times smaller than typical messenger RNA, can silence genes and fine-tune protein production. Their discovery has fueled research into potential treatments for cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders, with several biotechnology companies now developing drugs that target or mimic microRNAs.