The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs

and their pivotal role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This recognition underscores a fundamental shift in our understanding of gene activity regulation.

In the early 1990s, Ambros and Ruvkun identified a small RNA molecule in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that did not code for proteins but instead regulated gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs). This discovery challenged the prevailing notion that gene activity was primarily controlled during transcription and revealed a complex layer of regulation occurring after mRNA synthesis. Their work demonstrated that microRNAs are essential for controlling various cellular processes, including nutrient absorption, neuronal responses, insulin secretion, and muscle contraction.

The implications of this discovery are vast, offering potential avenues for developing therapeutic strategies for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. By understanding how microRNAs influence gene expression, scientists can explore novel approaches to manipulate these pathways for medical interventions. This award not only honors Ambros and Ruvkun’s pioneering research but also highlights the critical importance of post-transcriptional regulation in cellular function and disease.