Nobel Prize in Medicine 2024: Discovery of MicroRNA and Gene Regulation
Nobel Prize in Medicine 2024: Discovery of MicroRNA and Gene Regulation Introduction The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2024 has been awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA (miRNA) and its crucial role in post-transcriptional gene regulation . This discovery has revolutionized our understanding of gene expression, cellular development, and disease mechanisms. We will delve into gene regulation , the function of microRNA , its implications in disease diagnostics, oncogenesis, and immune response , and the broader significance of this remarkable discovery. What is Gene Regulation? Gene regulation is the process by which cells control the timing, location, and amount of gene expression . This mechanism ensures that different cells (muscle cells, nerve cells, etc.) express unique sets of proteins , allowing them to perform specialized functions. Key Aspects of Gene Regulation: The human genome contains about 20,000 genes , bu...