The 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine, awarded to Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA, marks a pivotal moment in our understanding of gene regulation and cellular differentiation. This discovery, which was once dismissed as relevant only to roundworms, has transformed how scientists view the complex mechanisms underlying growth and development in multicellular organisms, including humans. It underscores the profound impact that seemingly small, overlooked discoveries can have on the broader field of biology and medicine.

At the heart of their work is microRNA, a class of tiny RNA molecules that act as critical regulators of gene expression. In simple terms, these molecules determine which genes are turned on or off, guiding how cells develop into specialised forms, such as muscle, nerve, or skin cells. This process of differentiation is fundamental to life as we know it, and Mr Ambros and........

© The Statesman