Meet Katalin Karikó, COVID Vaccine Pionner Honoured With Nobel Prize

Katalin Karikó of Hungary and Drew Weissman of the United States were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine on October 2 for their breakthroughs that played a pivotal role in the development of highly efficient mRNA vaccines for COVID-19.

Know Katalin Karikó

Karikó is a Hungarian-American biochemist known for her groundbreaking work in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA) research. Her pioneering research has been instrumental in the development of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, including the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which have played a crucial role in the global effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Speaking about her journey in mRNA research, Katalin Kariko, who is now 68, said "I have conducted all her experiments with my own hands. I was 58 years old and I was still culturing plasmids and feeding cells." 

“Ten years ago I was kicked out and forced to retire.”

Our new medicine laureate Katalin Karikó (@kkariko) told us how much it means to be awarded the Nobel Prize after a scientific career that has been full of challenges.

Ten years ago, Karikó was still doing all her… pic.twitter.com/Eufy0fJG0u

— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 2, 2023

1. Immigration To US

While working at the Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre of Hungary, between 1978 and 1985, Karikó worked as an informant for the Hungarian secret police. In 1985, after her institute lost funding, she, along with her husband and their two-year-old daughter, left Hungary for the United States. When they immigrated to the US, they discreetly brought £900 with them concealed inside a teddy bear.

2.Karikó's Work In RNA

Karikó has worked extensively on the development of RNA technology. Early in her career, she took part in a clinical trial that involved treating patients with AIDS, hematologic diseases, and chronic fatigue syndrome using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA).

In 1989, she was recruited by the University of Pennsylvania and collaborated with cardiologist Elliot Barnathan on messenger RNA (mRNA) research. In 1990, Karikó submitted her initial grant proposal, outlining her concept for establishing mRNA-based gene therapy.

In 2013, Karikó learned about Moderna's agreement with AstraZeneca to develop Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor mRNA. Recognizing that she wouldn't have the opportunity to apply her mRNA expertise at the University of Pennsylvania, she accepted the position of vice president at BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals.

3. Awards & Recognition

Karikó has been recognized with over 130 international accolades and distinctions in acknowledgement of her groundbreaking and globally impactful contributions to the field of biochemistry.

On October 2, 2023, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences declared that the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine had been granted to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their pioneering work in the development of mRNA technology. Among Hungarian scientists and authors, Karikó became the eleventh Nobel Prize laureate and notably, the first Hungarian woman to receive this prestigious award.

In 2023, Karikó was honoured with induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for her groundbreaking research in messenger RNA.

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