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The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their breakthrough research on microRNA. Their discovery explains how microRNAs regulate gene expression, offering insight into how identical genetic codes can create diverse cells in the human body - like nerve, heart and immune cells. This work unlocks new potential in fields like cancer research, genetic therapy, and regenerative medicine.
What is MicroRNA?
Each cell in us contains the same DNA, yet each type serves a unique function. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in determining which genes are active in each cell, regulating gene expression to allow cells to develop specialised functions (O'Brien et al., 2018). These short RNA strands interact with messenger RNA (mRNA), switching certain genes on or off, adding more complexity.
MicroRNA’s Role in Cell Diversity
The work of Ambros and Ruvkun has shown that microRNAs act like conductors in a kind of genetic orchestra. They regulate gene expression across cell types, enabling:
Nerve cells to transmit signals,
Heart cells to maintain rhythm,
Liver cells to metabolise nutrients,
Kidney cells to filter waste,
Immune cells to fight infections, and
Retinal cells to detect light.
This orchestration by microRNAs, allows a signal set of genes to then create an entire range of cellular functions essential for life (Bhaskaran and Mohan, 2014).
The Science of Gene Regulation
Ambros and Ruvkun discovered microRNAs in the 1990s, and their role in multicellular life, which interact with mRNA to silence or alter specific genes. The human genome includes over 1,000 microRNAs, each with distinct roles in regulating cells, tissues, and organ functions (Ardekani and Naeini, 2010). This discovery reveals an added layer of genetic control critical to understanding development, disease, and health. Also, the research highlights the importance of microRNA and human health by demonstrating how this regulation contributes to cellular diversity.
Medical Implications of MicroRNA Research in Human Health
Their findings open new doors for medicine:
Cancer Research: Certain microRNAs can act as tumor suppressors or promoters, guiding targeted cancer therapies.
Genetic Disorders: Therapies targeting microRNA could address genetic disorders caused by imbalanced gene expression.
Regenerative Medicine: Manipulating microRNAs may enable the growth of specialised cells for tissue regeneration in conditions like heart disease or neurodegenerative disorders.
A Milestone in Genetics and Medicine
Ambros and Ruvkun’s work has now been celebrated by the Nobel Assembly for revealing a “completely new principle of gene regulation.”
Their discoveries pave the way for personalised medicine and innovative therapies. As scientists further explore microRNA’s role, Ambros and Ruvkun have now established a foundation that could transform treatments for diseases and health conditions worldwide.
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Conclusion: A New Era in Genetic Research
The discovery of microRNA by Ambros and Ruvkun has reshaped our understanding of gene regulation, demonstrating how identical DNA can result in cellular diversity essential to human life, which is why we wanted to share it with you.
Their Nobel-winning work not only expands the horizons of biology but also offers a glimpse into the future of medicine, where a deeper genetic understanding could help to revolutionise disease treatment and health solutions.
Reference List
Ardekani, A. M., & Naeini, M. M. (2010). The Role of MicroRNAs in Human Diseases. Avicenna journal of medical biotechnology, 2(4), 161–179.
Bhaskaran, M., & Mohan, M. (2014). MicroRNAs: history, biogenesis, and their evolving role in animal development and disease. Veterinary pathology, 51(4), 759–774. https://doi.org/10.1177/0300985813502820
O'Brien, J., Hayder, H., Zayed, Y., & Peng, C. (2018). Overview of MicroRNA Biogenesis, Mechanisms of Actions, and Circulation. Frontiers in endocrinology, 9, 402. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00402
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