Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, two prominent U.S. scientists, have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its pivotal role in regulating gene expression.
The announcement was made by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden's Karolinska Institute, which oversees the selection process. The duo will share a prize sum of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million) for their significant contribution to the field of genetics.
The Nobel Prize in Medicine traditionally kicks off the prestigious annual Nobel announcements, which celebrate achievements in science, literature, economics, and humanitarian efforts. The remaining Nobel Prizes are set to be revealed in the coming days.
First established in 1901 as per the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, the prizes are awarded by various institutions, with the exception of the Peace Prize, which is awarded in Oslo, Norway. This tradition may stem from the political union between Sweden and Norway when Nobel composed his will.
Last year, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, who contributed to the development of COVID-19 vaccines, received the Nobel Prize in Medicine. Previous laureates include luminaries like Ivan Pavlov, known for his work on conditioned reflexes in dogs, and Alexander Fleming, who was recognized for the discovery of penicillin in 1945.
The Nobel Prize winners are honored during a grand ceremony held annually on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, followed by a lavish banquet in Stockholm. Meanwhile, the Peace Prize festivities take place in Oslo on the same day.