In a groundbreaking achievement, American researchers Ambros and Rookhank have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pioneering studies on the small roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Their research not only deepens our understanding of biological evolution but also reveals new mechanisms of gene regulation. The potential consequences of their findings could lead to innovative treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Both Ambros and Rookhank are accomplished biologists who have focused on microRNAs, a recently discovered group of small RNA molecules that play a vital role in gene regulation. When these regulatory processes are disrupted, it can result in serious health issues, including cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. The pursuit of understanding gene activity regulation has long been a crucial objective within the scientific community.
In light of their award-winning research, the Taiwan Science Media Center reached out to experts for insights into its significance, especially regarding its potential applications in treating cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and cancerous tumors.
Xu Haolin, a prominent professor at Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, highlighted the importance of Ambros’s discovery of the lin-14 gene in Caenorhabditis elegans back in 1989, calling it a pivotal moment in their research journey.
Xu also noted that research involving Caenorhabditis elegans has earned Nobel recognition three times before—in 2002, 2006, and 2008—making this the fourth acknowledgment of its impact. “This underscores the remarkable potential of protein information in biological research,” he stated.
Chen Jun’an, a researcher at the Academia Sinica Institute of Molecular Biology, added that microRNAs are capable of regulating the expression of other genes. Traditional biological concepts have primarily focused on the flow of information from DNA to RNA to proteins, relegating RNA to a passive role. However, ongoing research is illuminating RNA’s critical regulatory functions, which are essential for both physiological processes and disease progression.
Assistant Professor Zhang Chongde from Yang Ming Chiao Tung University emphasized that the discoveries made by Ambros and Rookhank could significantly advance cancer treatment by targeting oncogenes and inhibiting tumor development. Furthermore, their research could be applied to other areas, such as cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, thereby enhancing drug development efforts.
