The Nobel Prize is undoubtedly one of the most coveted global awards, and it goes to individuals who have made significant contributions to society through their work in various fields. Seldom do women get Nobel Peace Prizes in medicine, but this year, Katalin Kariko gets to share it with Drew Weissman for their discoveries in mRNA vaccines.
At Advanced Chemtech, we appreciate major scientific breakthroughs from fellow scientists. Their contributions to advancing healthcare are genuinely inspiring, and today, we will dive into the background of these two exceptional researchers and their innovative discoveries.
Meet Katalin Karikó
Katalin Karikó is a Hungarian-American biochemist and a Nobel Prize winner in medicine. She was born in January 1955 in a small, impoverished village in Hungary but rose to become one of the most influential figures in mRNA research. Her father was a butcher, and her mother was a bookkeeper. Karikó overcame many challenges growing up to pursue her passion for science.
The Hungarian education system cemented the foundations of Karikó’s scientific career. She studied undergraduate chemistry and biology at the University of Szeged and completed her Ph.D.
Karikó’s relocation to the United States in 1985 marked a new chapter in her career. She joined Temple University as a postdoctoral fellow and continued her research on mRNA, which had potential therapeutic benefits but was largely overlooked by the scientific community then.
Her decision to move from Temple University to John Hopkins University in 1989 proved to be a crucial turning point. It rocked her career and legal residency in the United States, as her former lab director sought to get her deported and got her John Hopkins contract withdrawn.
Karikó had to fight to stay in the United States and continue her research, which she did tirelessly. The Uniformed Services University, based in the Health Sciences of Bethesda, MD, later hired her, where she further studied signal protein interferons.
Joining the University of Pennsylvania led Karikó to meet Drew Weissman, a fellow professor and researcher. They were queuing for limited access to a photocopier, and their chance meeting sparked a collaboration that would ultimately lead to the development of mRNA vaccines.
Karikó and Weissman’s research focused on modifying RNA molecules, which made them more stable in human cells. This breakthrough discovery paved the way for developing mRNA vaccines to combat COVID-19.
Meet Drew Weissman, A Pioneer in RNA Immunology
Drew Weissman is an American physician and immunologist born September 7, 1959. He is known for his significant contributions to RNA biology and collaboration with fellow researcher Katalin Karikó in developing mRNA vaccines.
Weissman attended Lexington High School in Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1977. He then earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brandeis University, majoring in biochemistry and enzymology. During this time, he worked under the supervision of Gerald Fasman.
In 1977, Weissman’s time at Boston University culminated in earning a biochemistry degree. He proceeded with a medical residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, then pursued a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Under the mentorship of renowned immunologist Anthony Fauci, Weissman’s research focused on RNA biology and innate immune systems. Weissman’s career took off when he joined the University of Pennsylvania as a professor and researcher. Today, he’s become the inaugural Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research.
Weissman’s work with RNA in human cells has resulted in groundbreaking discoveries that have impacted immunology. In 1997, he was lining up at a photocopier at the University of Pennsylvania when he met Katalin Karikó. This chance encounter would inspire a professional collaboration that would eventually lead to the development of mRNA vaccines.
Together, Karikó and Weissman published a crucial discovery in 2005. Their research demonstrated that scientists could alter mRNA and deliver it effectively. They also discovered that this delivery could activate the body’s protective immune system. It was a breakthrough in the field of immunology and opened up new possibilities for vaccine development.
Why Are mRNA Vaccines So Revolutionary?
Traditionally, vaccines have used weakened or dead versions of viruses to teach the immune system how to fight off potential infections in the future. The theory behind this method is introducing a harmless version of the virus into the body, triggering an immune response and creating immunity against future infections.
Though vaccines have always worked well, they have limitations regarding speed and effectiveness. Developing traditional vaccines can take months or even years, and their efficacy can vary depending on the individual’s immune response.
Sometimes, patients with weakened immunity, such as the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions, may succumb to the weakened or dead virus in the vaccine. Additionally, traditional vaccines often require refrigeration and can be unstable, making transport and storage complex.
Karikó’s and Weissman’s discovery of mRNA delivery opened up a new way to create vaccines. Using mRNA, scientists can directly instruct cells in the body to produce specific proteins that trigger an immune response without the need for weakened or dead viruses.
Institutions can develop mRNA vaccines much faster, as they don’t require the lengthy process of culturing and weakening viruses. They also have the potential to be more effective by explicitly targeting the immune response towards a particular protein.
Moreover, mRNA vaccines are stable at room temperature and don’t require refrigeration, making them easier to transport and store in resource-limited areas.
The revolutionary potential of mRNA vaccines has been seen in developing COVID-19 vaccines. Multiple pharmaceutical companies produced effective mRNA vaccines in just months, providing hope for controlling the pandemic.
A Well Deserved Nobel Prize for Kariko and Weissman
In recognition of their groundbreaking work in mRNA delivery and vaccines, Dr. Katalin Karikó and Dr. Drew Weissman were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2023. Their pioneering research revolutionized vaccine development and also ushered in a more effective way for potential treatments of chronic ailments like cancer and genetic disorders.
The duo’s contributions have not gone unnoticed, as they have also received numerous other prestigious awards, including the Lasker Award and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. Their collaboration inspires the scientific community and highlights the importance of cooperation in achieving groundbreaking advancements.
Karikó and Weissman’s work has led to the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and has the potential to transform future medical treatments. Their dedication and perseverance have opened up a new world of possibilities for improving global health.
Their achievements serve as a reminder that science knows no boundaries and that with determination, anything is possible. The benefits of chemical technology extend beyond just pharmaceuticals, as they play a crucial role in various industries such as agriculture, nutrition, and materials science. At Advanced ChemTech, we are proud to be a part of the scientific community and continue our mission to support innovative research and development to improve lives. Join us in the daily application of Chemistry to make a positive impact globally.