The Nobel Prize in Medicine has been announced and it is being awarded to Dr. Katalin Karikó and Dr. Drew Weissman, writes Benjamin Mueller and Gina Kolata for The New York Times. 

The two University of Pennsylvania scientists are being recognized for identifying a chemical tweak to messenger RNA (mRNA) and leading the development of the COVID-19 vaccines that were subsequently administered to billions worldwide. 

Their quick breakthrough in developing the Moderna and Pfizer – BioNTech vaccines helped avert the deaths of tens of millions and played a critical role in helping the world recover from the worst pandemic the world has seen in over 100 years.  

The two scientists met at Penn in 1998. At the time, Dr. Karikó was occupied by mRNA, while Dr. Weismann researching new approaches toward an H.I.V. vaccine. 

Eventually, they put their brains together. 

“We saw the potential and we weren’t willing to give up,” said Dr. Weissman. 

The two scientists helped change the way mRNA interacts with the immune system, and as a result, how the use of mRNA is among the key cogs of allowing vaccines to get updated. 

Learn more about the groundbreaking scientific impact of the newest Nobel Prize award winners at The New York Times.  

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Katalin Kariko shares her first thoughts on being awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine yesterday.