Context:

  • The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has gone to scientists katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, whose work enabled the development of mRNA vaccines against Covid-19.

What are mRNA vaccines and their importance during covid?

  • Traditionally, vaccines have depended on introducing dead or weakened viruses into the human body, so it can develop antibodies against them.
  • Thus, when the actual virus infects someone, their body is prepared to fight it.
  • As technology evolved, instead of the whole virus, just a part of the viral genetic code, instead of the whole virus, began to be introduced through vaccines.
  • But the large-scale development of such vaccines requires cell culture (growing of cells under controlled conditions) and takes time.
  • Messenger RNA is a type of RNA that is necessary for protein production.
  • Once cells finish making a protein, they quickly break down the mRNA.
  • mRNA from vaccines does not enter the nucleus and does not alter DNA.
  • mRNA vaccines work by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein, usually a small piece of a protein found on the virus’s outer membrane.
  • By using this mRNA, cells can produce the viral protein.
  • As part of a normal immune response, the immune system recognizes that the protein is foreign and produces specialized proteins called antibodies.
  • Antibodies help protect the body against infection by recognizing individual viruses or other pathogens, attaching to them, and marking the pathogens for destruction.
  • Once produced, antibodies remain in the body, even after the body has rid itself of the pathogen, so that the immune system can quickly respond if exposed again.
  • If a person is exposed to a virus after receiving mRNA vaccination for it, antibodies can quickly recognize it, attach to it, and mark it for destruction before it can cause serious illness.
  • Currently vaccines for COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, are the only authorized or approved mRNA vaccines.
  • These vaccines use mRNA that directs cells to produce copies of a protein on the outside of the coronavirus known as the “spike protein”.
  • Researchers are studying how mRNA might be used to develop vaccines for additional diseases.

Noble prize:

  • Nobel Prizes are awarded in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
  • The prize ceremonies take place annually. Each recipient (known as a "laureate") receives a green goldmedal plated with 24 karat gold, a diploma, and a monetary award.
  • A prize may not be shared among more than three individuals, although the Nobel Peace Prize can be awarded to organisations of more than three people.
  • Although Nobel Prizes are not awarded posthumously, if a person is awarded a prize and dies before receiving it, the prize is presented.
Syllabus: Prelims