Hungarian biochemist Katalin Karikó and American microbiologist Drew Weissman will receive this year's Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology for their discoveries that laid the foundation for the development of mRNA-based vaccines, it was announced on Monday at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
The most important thing is that we do our work with pleasure - Katalin Karikó told journalists on Monday, after the recognition was announced and awarded to her.
After the announcement, he told biochemical journalists and the leaders of the University of Szeged (SZTE) that it is important for young students to maintain their physical and mental health and learn to manage stress.
The SZTE research professor advised young people to enjoy the work they do, because if they do, they will get better at it. Quoting János Selye, who became known as a stress researcher, he emphasized that we must focus on what we can change.
In response to a question, Katalin Karikó recalled how her mother listened every year to whom the Nobel Prize was awarded, trusting that her name would be read one day. However, there was a period when he had neither a job nor a group, he was just busy in the lab.
Academician Gábor Szabó, former rector of SZTE, stated that the social effects of the research recognized with the Nobel Prize this year are much stronger than those awarded in previous years.
The physics professor - who graduated at the same time as Katalin Karikó from SZTE's predecessor, Attila József University - believed that apparently the Nobel Prize committee was also impressed by the personality of the researcher.
In addition to his scientific achievements, he deserves a special award for his amazing persistence, since he conducted his first experiments related to mRNA at the Biological Research Center in Szeged, then continued this work in the United States, but after a few years, his research support was terminated.
Katalin Karikó is a researcher who can be set up as a role model for young people - emphasized the academician.
According to the reasoning of the competent committee, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman will receive the award for their discoveries related to nucleoside modification, which enabled the development of an effective mRNA-based vaccine against Covid-19.
The recipient will receive 11 million Swedish kronor (368 million forints). The award is traditionally presented on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, who founded the award.
MTI
