Niklas Elmehed/Nobel Prize Outreach
Two scientists, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, have been awarded the 2023 Nobel prize in physiology or medicine for their work on mRNA technology, which made the development of COVID-19 vaccines possible.
Their breakthrough involved chemically modifying strands of mRNA, allowing it to be used in vaccines. This technology was licensed by biotech firms Moderna and BioNTech, which collaborated with Pfizer to produce the main COVID-19 vaccines used in high-income countries.
mRNA acts as a “messenger” molecule that carries genetic information from the DNA in the cell nucleus to the ribosomes, which are responsible for protein synthesis. Karikó and Weissman found a way to modify synthetic mRNA to resemble the naturally produced version in mammalian cells, thus avoiding immune attack.
The COVID-19 vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech contain mRNA instructions for producing the coronavirus spike protein. When administered, these vaccines trigger an immune response by prompting the body’s cells to produce the spike protein.
The mRNA technology used in these vaccines has had a significant impact on society, helping to prevent COVID-19 infections and related deaths. While they are less effective against the omicron variant of the virus, mRNA vaccines still reduce the severity of illness and prevent fatalities.
In addition to their success in battling COVID-19, mRNA vaccines have the potential to be rapidly developed for other viruses, such as bird flu, and are being explored as possible treatments for cancer.
The recognition of Karikó and Weissman’s groundbreaking work highlights the vital role mRNA technology plays in modern medicine and its potential to revolutionize vaccine development in the future.
