Nobel Prize in Medicine - The Hindu/MicroRNA: tiny RNAs that hold key to how organisms develop - Indian Express

The Nobel Prize for Medicine this year has been awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA — tiny molecules which play a crucial role in how genes function.

Reason for Ambros and Ruvkun's Study on microRNA

• Gene regulation: It allows cells to activate the appropriate genes for specific functions, depending on the cell type (e.g., nerve cells activate genes for signal transmission, while muscle cells for movement).
• Aim of the research: Ambros and Ruvkun’s research aimed to understand how gene regulation works.
• Significance: Their discovery of microRNA offered new insights into how complex organisms like humans regulate gene activity.

Significance of Understanding Gene Regulation

• Genetic Information: Stored in DNA and copied to mRNA, which directs protein synthesis. Proteins perform crucial functions like muscle contraction and nerve communication.
• Cell Differentiation: Different tissues create specific proteins for their functions, governed by gene regulation that turns genes on or off for specific tasks.
• Health Implications: Faults in gene regulation can lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. Understanding gene regulation is key to treating these conditions.