The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine has been granted to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman in recognition of their groundbreaking discoveries related to modifications of nucleoside bases. These discoveries played a pivotal role in facilitating the development of highly effective mRNA vaccines against Covid-19.
Their research has fundamentally transformed our comprehension of how mRNA interacts with our immune system. Sweden's Karolinska Institute, in its announcement ceremony on Monday, emphasized that their work significantly accelerated the vaccine development process, particularly during one of the most severe modern threats to human health.
In 2005, the laureates published their findings in a seminal paper, which, although initially overlooked, laid the crucial groundwork for advancements that have proven indispensable during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The contributions of Katalin Karikó, originally from Hungary, and Drew Weissman from the United States, directly led to the authorization of two highly successful mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines in late 2020. These vaccines have not only saved millions of lives but have also prevented severe illness in countless others.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine has historically honored groundbreaking discoveries such as X-rays, penicillin, insulin, and DNA, while also acknowledging controversial awards, like those for the lobotomy and the insecticide DDT.
The Nobel Prizes, recognized as the most prestigious awards globally, will be announced throughout this week. Each prize is accompanied by a monetary award of 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1 million). The Nobel Prize categories include physics (October 3), chemistry (October 4), literature (October 5), and peace (October 6). The Nobel Prize for economics will be unveiled on October 9.
Video courtesy The Open Book
Alfred Nobel, a wealthy Swedish inventor who passed away in 1895, established the Nobel Prize through his will. He directed that his estate be used to grant awards to individuals who had made the most significant contributions to humanity during the preceding year. Although Nobel's death occurred in 1895, it took until 1901, following disputes over his will, for the first awards to be presented.
In accordance with Nobel's wishes, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is responsible for awarding the prizes in the fields of chemistry and physics, the Swedish Academy for literature, Sweden's Karolinska Institute medical university for physiology or medicine, and the Norwegian parliament for peace. The Nobel Prizes are presented to the laureates on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death.