Discover the remarkable journey of a Hungarian scientist who revolutionized medicine with her pioneering mRNA research. From humble beginnings, she faced skepticism and setbacks but remained determined to prove her theories. Collaborating with a fellow scientist, they unlocked the potential of mRNA technology, which became crucial for Covid vaccines. Her perseverance led to recognition as a Nobel Prize winner in 2023, celebrating her significant contributions to global health. Tune in for a story of resilience and groundbreaking science.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Humble Beginnings
Katalin Karikó grew up in a small Hungarian town without basic amenities like running water or electricity.
Despite this, she had a loving family who instilled in her the value of hard work.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Career Struggles
Karikó's mRNA research was initially overlooked by the scientific community, who favored gene therapy.
She faced constant rejection of her funding applications, leading to a demotion at the University of Pennsylvania.
question_answer ANECDOTE
A Chance Encounter
Karikó's demotion led to a chance encounter with Drew Weissman while searching for a photocopier.
Weissman, who had a lab and funding, became interested in her research and they began collaborating.
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Dr Katalin Karikó grew up in a small town in Hungary with no electricity or running water at home. She overcame great adversity to become a scientist and publish a groundbreaking paper in 2005 showing how the mRNA molecule could be used to protect the human immune system from viruses. But, her findings were initially overlooked and she even lost her job after failing to attract funding. However, she persisted with her research, which laid the scientific groundwork for mRNA vaccines that saved countless lives during the Covid pandemic. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023. She speaks to Ben Henderson.
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(Photo: Dr Katalin Karikó. Credit: Janos Kummer/Getty Images)
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