Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, renowned biochemists from Hungary and the United States, were honored with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The award recognized their pioneering work on mRNA technology that underpins current mRNA vaccines against Covid-19. The prize was announced at a ceremony conducted by the Nobel Committee at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
how the immune system is guided
When the pandemic emerged in 2019, the idea of a vaccine for a novel pathogen arriving so quickly seemed improbable. Yet it happened. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, built on innovative mRNA synthesis, earned the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2023. Collectively, these vaccines have been administered widely, contributing to saving countless lives around the globe.
The technology enables the creation of synthetic mRNA with specific traits. When introduced into the body, it prompts cells to produce proteins that train the immune system, including antibodies against pathogens. Early experiments showed that in vitro mRNA could trigger inflammatory responses and poor protein production in tissues.
The breakthrough came when Karikó and Weissman demonstrated that mRNA crafted with altered bases could evade triggering the innate immune system. This clever immune evasion was crucial for developing a clinically usable vaccine during a pandemic.
As one researcher explained, the challenge was that adding nucleic acids could cause a cytotoxic reaction. Cellular sensors detect unusual DNA or RNA, signaling an infection and triggering an immune response that can harm cells. To prevent this, scientists began replacing some nucleotides with analogues, notably pseudouridine. This masking of RNA helps prevent premature antiviral alarms in cells.
the mRNA revolution continues
The first bright signs appeared with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the momentum persists. Today, mRNA technology extends beyond infectious diseases into cancer treatment.
Researchers in Russia, from the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the SB RAS, have laid the groundwork for mRNA technology even before the pandemic. Their work supports rapid development of mRNA-based vaccines and therapies, including efforts against influenza. Scientists are advancing plans for flu vaccines using mRNA platforms and ongoing cancer research.
Development leaders described ongoing efforts to test influenza mRNA vaccines, with researchers evaluating whether the mRNA structure is assembled properly and delivered effectively to cells. The team notes there is still a year of tests ahead in these early stages.
Experts also debate the side effects of mRNA vaccines, acknowledging that adverse events can occur but emphasizing ongoing improvements in safety and delivery methods. Some researchers stress the importance of refining lipid nanoparticle delivery and exploring alternative distribution systems to optimize outcomes.
Despite debates in some quarters, the scientific community continues exploring mRNA applications for cancer therapy and genetic diseases, aiming to expand a platform that offers flexible, rapid responses to diverse health challenges.
One major aim is crafting a universal artificial mRNA structure that can be redirected toward different pathogens, enabling quicker adaptation of vaccines. The ongoing work also addresses how best to organize drug delivery into cells, with lipid-based particles being just one approach among several under study.
Researchers emphasize that their work rests on fundamental principles. The collaboration that started in 2005 laid a foundation for years of innovation across infectious disease prevention and beyond.
the laureates and their journey
Turning to the scientists themselves, Katalin Karikó, often called “Katie,” grew up in a small Hungarian town. Her early schooling highlighted her strength in science, and she excelled in national biology competitions. As a student at the University of Szeged, she worked in a lab focusing on liposomes and vesicles designed to encapsulate genetic material. In difficult times, researchers sourced materials themselves, sometimes collecting needed supplies in unexpected ways to keep experiments moving forward.
In 1985, funding difficulties led Karikó to relocate to the United States with her husband and young daughter, a move achieved after selling their car and concealing funds in a large teddy bear. She later held a prominent role in Germany, pursuing advanced research, even as the personal challenges of the transition were substantial. The moment the Covid-19 vaccine results became clear on November 8, 2020, days after her daughter’s birthday, marked a watershed in her career and the science community at large.
Karikó’s daughter, Susan Francia, is a celebrated Olympic rower, exemplifying perseverance in both sport and science. Karikó has often described science as a problem-solving endeavor, insisting there is always a way forward when curiosity and effort align, even during difficult times.
the other side of the equation
Drew Weissman, raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, pursued his career after a residency at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, eventually joining the University of Pennsylvania where he collaborated with Karikó. His background includes athletic activities and early work in family business ventures related to optical components for satellites, illustrating a blend of discipline and curiosity that shaped his approach to research.
Friends and family describe Weissman as enduring and disciplined from a young age, with a penchant for sailing and a strong work ethic. When their joint work on safe, effective mRNA use began to show promise, initial recognition did not arrive with fanfare; many notes were quiet as the team pressed forward. Yet the potential remained clear, and the scientific community continued to explore the wide range of applications for this technology.
Today, the influence of Karikó and Weissman is evident in the global effort to apply mRNA technology beyond vaccines, highlighting its role in cancer therapies and genetic disease treatment. Their pioneering work continues to inspire researchers as nations pursue innovative solutions for health challenges worldwide.