20MHT CLASSIC: mRNA pioneers win Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

On today’s episode, we revisit a conversation we had with two pioneers of the mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines, Katalin Karikó, PhD, and Drew Weissman, MD, PhD. The two were just awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking research in messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. When we spoke with Dr. Kariko and Weissman in June 2022, they had just received the Ross Prize in Molecular Medicine. The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research grants this honor to recognize promising careers in the fields of science and research. In this look back on that conversation, the history-making duo discusses what motivated them to endure their decades-long scientific struggles, plans to continue their mRNA research and what it means to be awarded the Ross Prize.

Also on the show, we speak with Kevin Tracey, MD, president of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, about the importance of supporting young scientists, early-stage research and the culture of science.

Meet the experts

• Katalin Kariko, PhD, adjunct professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania and a senior vice president at BioNTech
• Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, the Roberts Family Professor of Vaccine Research in Penn's Perelman School of Medicine

The award Drs. Kariko and Weissman received is one of six categories that are recognized each year. Since 1901, there have been 114 prizes in the Physiology or Medicine category awarded to 227 laureates. 

Learn more about the Nobel Prize 

Learn more about Drs. Kariko and Weissman. 

More on the history of mRNA technology

Learn more about the history of mRNA technology and the development of the Covid-19 vaccines on this episode of the podcast, featuring Wall Street Journal writer, Gregory Zuckerman, and two of the first Americans to receive the vaccine, Sandra Lindsay and Yves Duroseau, MD. 

Watch episodes of 20-Minute Health Talk on YouTube.