Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, the recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, were honored for their discovery of a modification to messenger RNA (mRNA) that enabled the development of potent Covid vaccines in record time. Their groundbreaking work has not only saved countless lives during the global pandemic but also revolutionized vaccine technology, paving the way for future vaccines against deadly diseases like cancer.
Despite their remarkable achievements, the progress made in mRNA research now faces opposition from the anti-vaccine movement, particularly in the United States. Critics have exploited the rapid development of Covid vaccines as a means to undermine public trust. However, it is important to note that the breakthroughs behind these vaccines were the result of years of meticulous research by Karikó and Weissman, including their work at the University of Pennsylvania.
Karikó, the 13th woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, faced significant challenges throughout her career, including a lack of funding and a permanent academic position. Despite these obstacles, she persevered and collaborated with other scientists at the University of Pennsylvania. Weissman, on the other hand, discovered the news of their Nobel Prize through a text message from Karikó.
The journey towards mRNA vaccines began in 1998 when Karikó, the daughter of a Hungarian immigrant, met Weissman at the University of Pennsylvania. Karikó believed in the clinical potential of mRNA, which carries instructions for protein synthesis in cells, even when it was considered clinically unusable. Weissman, a virologist searching for new approaches to an HIV vaccine, saw the opportunity to collaborate with Karikó.
Their research faced numerous challenges, including the immune system’s attack on introduced mRNA, leading to illness in animal models. However, they eventually discovered a chemical modification that protected mRNA from immune responses. This discovery fundamentally changed our understanding of mRNA’s interaction with the immune system and contributed to the rapid development of Covid vaccines.
Initially, other scientists showed little interest in the potential of mRNA vaccines, and their research paper was rejected by prestigious journals. However, two biotech companies, Moderna and BioNTech, recognized the technology’s promise. The Covid-19 pandemic brought together Karikó and Weissman’s research with other related studies, enabling vaccine developers to swiftly create effective vaccines.
Over 400 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 250 million doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered in the United States alone. These vaccines have been crucial in combating the pandemic and can be easily updated to address emerging variants. Furthermore, mRNA technology is being explored for vaccines against diseases like influenza, malaria, and HIV, as well as personalized cancer vaccines.
Karikó’s journey as a scientist who persisted despite limited resources and recognition highlights the challenges women face in the field of science. Her achievement as a Nobel laureate serves as inspiration for the next generation of female scientists.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is the first of six Nobel Prizes that will be awarded this year. The recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry will be announced in the coming days.