This Women’s Day, let us celebrate Katalin Kariko, the scientist who revolutionized healthcare through mRNA vaccines. We read about remarkable women who have made exceptional contributions to science. Today, let us explore the journey of Dr. Katalin, one of the pioneers in mRNA vaccines.
Covid vaccines
We all remember how a tiny virus brought the world to a standstill. Although it is not on the pandemic list, extensive research on COVID-19 vaccines was conducted back then. If you have taken Covishield or Covaxin, you have the relentless efforts of scientists involved in mRNA research to thank. Let’s meet one such scientist- Dr. Katalin Karikó.
From Rejection to Nobel Prize
Imagine dedicating decades of your time and efforts to groundbreaking research, yet facing rejections, only for it to be accepted later. That’s the story of Dr. Katalin Karikó, the scientist whose work powered the COVID-19 vaccines.
Why was her work important?
In 2005, along with Drew Weissman, she discovered that making certain changes in RNA not only prevented unwanted inflammation but also enhanced the production of desired proteins. This laid a strong foundation for the effective use of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 during the pandemic. She shared her Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine in 2023 with Dr. Drew for this groundbreaking discovery.
Persistence was her key to Success.
Born in Hungary, she pursued Science despite scarce resources. Despite facing rejections and funding challenges throughout her career, it was her endurance, persistence, and sheer dedication to Science that shaped her into the revolutionary scientist she is today- an inspiration to us all.
Her key discovery- the therapeutic potential of mRNA
Her work involved the modification of mRNA to make it suitable for therapeutic purposes. This key discovery helped set a strong foundation for vaccine research during the pandemic. In 2005, they discovered that mRNA could be altered and delivered to the body in the form of a vaccine to activate the body’s innate immune system.
Although this classic discovery did not receive recognition in 2005, most pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna utilized this technology to build highly effective vaccines to combat COVID-19.
Impact of mRNA vaccines on science and healthcare
In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, they are ideal for protection against new infections in addition to targeting existing ones. The following areas have benefited from mRNA vaccines-
- Cancer- thanks to their flexibility, one can develop mRNA vaccines against cancer. This can activate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
- Allergies- this technology can be a boon for those with peanut allergies as research is underway to develop an mRNA vaccine that can stop your body from producing Immunoglobulins.
- Genetic diseases- the most interesting application of mRNA vaccines wherein they can deliver replacement genes or even correct defective genes in case of genetic diseases. People with conditions like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia can largely benefit from this technology.
- Heart health- research is underway to use mRNA vaccines to modify liver genes to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent heart attack and stroke.
Lessons from her Journey
The two biggest lessons one can learn from her journey is
- Perseverance- She triumphed despite facing numerous challenges in her career.
- Innovation takes time- her work went unrecognized for years before finally accepting and even changing the world.
Dr. Katalin Karikó’s journey reminds us that perseverance and dedication can change the world. As we celebrate Women’s Day, her story highlights the power of women in science and biotechnology.
Let me know in the comments which other STEM scientist deserves more recognition.
Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this.