The Nobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded to Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their significant discovery of microRNA, which is crucial for regulating gene activity.

Their research, conducted at esteemed institutions such as Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, has enhanced our understanding of how organisms develop and function.

The Nobel Assembly highlighted that this discovery is “proving to be fundamentally important” in the field of biology.

Ambros conducted his groundbreaking research at Harvard University and currently serves as a professor of natural science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Ruvkun carried out his work at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he holds a professorship in genetics, as noted by Thomas Perlmann, Secretary-General of the Nobel Committee.

Last year, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Hungarian-American Katalin Karikó and American Drew Weissman for their work that led to the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, which were vital in mitigating the pandemic. The prize includes a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1 million) from a legacy established by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel.

This announcement marks the beginning of this year’s Nobel Prize season, with upcoming awards in physics on Tuesday, chemistry on Wednesday, and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday, followed by the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences on October 14.

The laureates are set to receive their awards at ceremonies on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.

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