The announcement for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was made last Monday, October 2nd. This year, the Nobel Committee awarded the prize to Drs. Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for “their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19”.
The Nobel Prize is the most well-recognized award presented annually to individuals whose work has benefited humanity. The award is named after Alfred Nobel who was a chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist. Interestingly, he is also known for creating dynamite. Nobel left his fortune to establish the Nobel Foundation, which is responsible for fulfilling Alfred Nobel’s will. Since the inception of the Nobel Prize, it has traditionally been awarded each year to those that "conferred the greatest benefit to humankind". There are 5 different Nobel Prizes: Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry, Physics, Literature, and Peace. The recipients of each award are announced on different days. This year the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was announced on Monday, Chemistry on Tuesday, Physics on Wednesday, Literature on Thursday, and Peace on Friday. Nobel laureates are determined by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which is made up of members from different groups, depending on the award. For example, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is conferred by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. The committee accepts nominations from qualified professionals in their field and cannot be self-nominated. The announcement usually takes place in early Fall, with the award ceremony taking place on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The ceremony for each Nobel Prize takes place in Stockholm, except for the Nobel Peace Prize which takes place in Oslo.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is the highest honor a life scientist can receive. It acknowledges the work they have done and recognizes the international impact of that work. It usually takes about 26 years after a scientist has made their discovery to be recognized for its global impact. Due to this wait time, the Nobel Laureates are older and have already established themselves in their field. Unfortunately, the Nobel Prize cannot be awarded post-humorously. The criteria state the recipient must be living and impact humanity.
This year, Drs. Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, both from the University of Pennsylvania, were jointly awarded the prize for their work on mRNA vaccine which established the structure used for the COVID-19 vaccine. They found through base modifications in genetic material, known as mRNA, they could quickly generate vaccines and reduce the inflammatory response that was detected in earlier vaccines. Their work in 2005 helped rapidly develop the COVID-19 vaccine and save millions of lives. Before 2005, mRNA was not exciting research. The two scientists worked together to build off their idea of base modifications to improve vaccine production and efficacy. Kariko, a biochemist, helped studied mRNA, and Weissman, an immunologist, helped incorporate how changes in base mRNA changed immune response. After working together, they published their findings in Immunity in 2005.
Both scientists were interviewed after receiving the call from the Nobel Prize Committee. Although neither scientist could believe it, they recalled the long hours and struggles they endured. Kariko specifically mentions that in the middle of her career, she was let go from her faculty appointment and had to move to Germany and work for a biotech company. The two will be awarded the Nobel Prize medal with a diploma and monetary award on December 10th in Stockholm, Sweden.
Announcement, Nobel Prize, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Katalin Kariko, Drew Weissman, Alfred Nobel, findings, Immunity, University of Pennsylvania