The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2023 has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their groundbreaking work on mRNA vaccines. This research, published in 2005, went largely unnoticed at the time but later proved to be the foundation for significant advancements during the Covid-19 pandemic. The mRNA vaccines, including those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, have been administered more than 13 billion times, saving countless lives, reducing the severity of Covid-19, lessening the burden of disease, and facilitating the reopening of societies.
Katalin Karikó, a Hungarian-American biochemist, and Drew Weissman, an American physician, are both professors at the University of Pennsylvania. Their research played a crucial role in inspiring Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to adopt a new method for vaccine production utilizing messenger RNA (mRNA). This revolutionary technology also holds promise for the development of vaccines against other diseases such as malaria, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), HIV, and may even offer a new approach to addressing infectious diseases like cancer through personalized vaccines.
mRNA vaccines operate by providing cells with a temporary genetic blueprint that instructs them to produce virus-like structures. This prompts the body to generate antibodies and specialized immune system cells. Unlike traditional vaccines, mRNA vaccines do not require a live or weakened virus—in fact, they only need the specific genetic sequence. J. Larry Jameson, executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine, commended the scientists’ work, stating that “During the biggest public health crisis of our lifetimes, vaccine developers relied upon the discoveries by Dr. Weissman and Dr. Karikó, which saved innumerable lives and paved a path out of the pandemic.”
This article is 85% likely factual news based on my current analysis. It accurately reports on the Nobel Prize being awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their work on mRNA vaccines, referencing the original article by Christian Edwards and Katie Hunt from CNN. The majority of the article consists of factual information about the development and impact of mRNA vaccines, providing a neutral and informative account. However, there is a slight editorial bias in the personalized recount of Karikó’s struggles and persistence in advancing her research, which adds an emotional element to the text. Overall, the article maintains a strong focus on the scientific achievement without any apparent political slant.
