In a groundbreaking announcement, the Nobel Prize in Medicine for 2023 has been awarded to two scientists, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, for their pivotal contributions that paved the way for the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Karikó, a professor at Sagan’s University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, collaborated closely with Weissman during their research at the University of Pennsylvania.
The Nobel Committee acknowledged the transformative impact of their discoveries, which fundamentally altered our understanding of how mRNA interacts with our immune system. These breakthroughs played a pivotal role in the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, offering hope and protection during one of the most significant health crises of our time.
Thomas Perlmann, Secretary of the Nobel Assembly, revealed that both scientists were overwhelmed by the news of the prize when he contacted them just before the official announcement. Gunilla Karlsson Hedestam, a member of the panel that selected the laureates, emphasized the immense importance of their work in saving lives, especially during the early stages of the pandemic.
This prestigious recognition follows last year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which was awarded to Swedish scientist Svante Pääbo for his groundbreaking research in human evolution. His work unlocked the secrets of Neanderthal DNA, providing critical insights into our immune system and vulnerability to severe COVID-19.
The Nobel Prize announcements continue this week, with the Physics Prize scheduled for Tuesday, Chemistry on Wednesday, and Literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be unveiled on Friday, followed by the Economics Award on October 9th.
Each Nobel Prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1 million). The prize money was increased by 1 million kronor this year due to the declining value of the Swedish currency. Laureates are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place in Oslo, as per Nobel’s wishes, while the other awards are presented in Stockholm.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
