”We are delighted with this major breakthrough. There are research projects we have been conducting at our University that study microRNAs”, says Gianni Profita, Rector of UniCamillus.
The Nobel Prize in Medicine 2024 has been awarded to American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their extraordinary discovery that has revolutionised the field of molecular biology and has opened up new avenues for the treatment of serious diseases: microRNAs.
MicroRNAs are small molecules of RNA (ribonucleic acid) that regulate the activity of genes in cells and play a key role in deciding which genes should be switched on or off in each cell, thus influencing its functions: a kind of instruction manual to ensure that the organism functions well. When microRNAs do not function properly, diseases or congenital disorders can occur.
Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, initially working with the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, discovered how these microRNAs could regulate gene expression. The journey to this breakthrough began in the early 1990s and has continued up to the present day.
These studies have had a direct impact on modern medicine, particularly in the fight against cancer and other complex congenital disorders: if microRNAs regulate the proper functioning of cells, their malfunction can lead to very serious diseases. Research is therefore focusing not only on the study of these micro-instructions, but also on the development of therapies to correct their defects.
Research on microRNAs is already underway at UniCamillus. “As a University that trains future medical practitioners, UniCamillus welcomes this major breakthrough in molecular biology with great admiration, as our commitment is to the advancement of medical science and research”, proudly states Gianni Profita, Rector of UniCamillus. “The 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine represents a fundamental step: the discovery of microRNAs and their role in gene regulation not only deepens our understanding of cellular function, but also opens up new avenues for the development of innovative therapies. In recent years, microRNAs have been the subject of studies that also highlight their potential functions as easily detectable biomarkers in body fluids. Our University has presented research projects aiming to explore the potential role of these molecules in the early, non-invasive diagnosis of certain diseases. We are optimistic that in the near future some of these molecules will be able to be used in clinical practice and represent a new revolution in medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, including cancer and other genetic disorders”.
Photo credits: www.nobelprize.org