Hungarian-born biochemist Katalin Karikó’s pioneering work on mRNA technology has finally been recognized with the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Karikó shares the prestigious award with American scientist Drew Weissman and computational biologist Pieter Cullis..
Karikó’s journey to the Nobel Prize began in the early 1980s when she was working as a research scientist in Hungary. She became fascinated with mRNA, a molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA to the protein-making machinery in cells. At the time, mRNA was considered a fragile molecule with limited therapeutic potential..
Undeterred by prevailing scientific opinion, Karikó persisted in her research. She hypothesized that if mRNA could be modified to make it more stable and less likely to trigger an immune response, it could be used to treat a wide range of diseases..
In 1989, Karikó moved to the United States to continue her research at the University of Pennsylvania. There she collaborated with Weissman, and together they made a breakthrough discovery: they identified a chemical modification that dramatically improved the stability and effectiveness of mRNA..
This discovery paved the way for the development of mRNA vaccines, which have revolutionized the field of medicine. mRNA vaccines are remarkably effective at preventing infections, and they have been instrumental in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic..
Despite the enormous impact of her work, Karikó’s contributions went largely unrecognized for many years. She faced skepticism and even hostility from some in the scientific community. However, she never gave up on her belief in the power of mRNA..
In 2010, Karikó co-founded a company called Moderna, which has become a leader in the development and manufacturing of mRNA vaccines. The company’s COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to millions of people worldwide, saving countless lives..
Karikó’s Nobel Prize is a testament to her perseverance and unwavering belief in the power of science. Her work has changed the course of medicine and has had a profound impact on the lives of countless people around the world..
In her Nobel lecture, Karikó reflected on the challenges she faced as a woman in science. She said, ‘I often had to fight for recognition and acceptance of my work. But I never gave up on my dream of using mRNA to help people.’.
Karikó’s story is an inspiration to scientists and researchers everywhere. It shows that even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome with determination and a belief in the power of science..
