The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA, tiny genetic elements that regulate gene activity at the cellular level. This pivotal finding holds significant promise for developing innovative cancer therapies.

The announcement, made on Monday, marks the start of the 2024 Nobel Prize season, which celebrates extraordinary achievements across science, economics, literature, and peace. The Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute described the discovery as "fundamentally important" for understanding how organisms develop and function. The Medicine or Physiology prize is the first in a series of Nobel announcements, running from October 7 to 14.

Ambros and Ruvkun first published their findings in 1993, unveiling a new layer of gene regulation that has since proven crucial and evolutionarily conserved. Dr. Claire Fletcher, a molecular oncology expert at Imperial College London, praised the discovery, stating that microRNA has transformed the way scientists approach treating diseases such as cancer by enabling precise regulation of gene function at the cellular level.

Each Nobel Prize comes with an award of 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1.1 million), which can be shared by up to three recipients. The next Nobel announcement, for Physics, is set for Tuesday, followed by Chemistry on Wednesday, Literature on Thursday, and the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.