What does a scientific term like messenger RNA (mRNA) mean for society? In one very tangible sense, it can mean the difference between life and death. The mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 saved an estimated 19.8 million lives in 2021 alone. In 2023, Dr. Katalin Karik贸 received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her work, which created the blueprint for mRNA vaccines. This year, 黑料吃瓜资源 (CSHL) recognized Dr. Karik贸鈥檚 groundbreaking research and pioneering spirit at our Double Helix Medals dinner.
When Dr. Kariko began her work on mRNA in the 1980s, her ideas weren鈥檛 exactly greeted with open arms. 鈥淚 know that people were skeptical about mRNA,鈥� she recalls. Yet today, more than 270 million people in the U.S. are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Additional mRNA vaccines are being developed for brain cancer, melanoma, and many other diseases. 鈥淎t present, there are more than 250 clinical trials ongoing using mRNA,鈥� Dr. Karik贸 says.
All of this becomes possible only through basic biology research and education. That鈥檚 why CSHL exists. And it鈥檚 why we were honored to present Dr. Karik贸 with the Double Helix Medal on November 14. Notably, on the very next day, Dr. Karik贸 joined acclaimed author Carl Zimmer at the CUNY Graduate Center for a City of Science event presented by the CSHL Center for Humanities & History of Modern Biology with crucial support from the BGI Nobel Laureates Archives Program.
Watch the video above to hear more about Dr. Karik贸鈥檚 journey of discovery.
Read the related story: 19th annual Double Helix Medals dinner raises $7 million