Science Weekly
All the news and science from the 2024 Nobel prizes
Oct 9, 2024
Nicola Davis, a Guardian science correspondent specializing in biology and gene regulation, and Hannah Devlin, an expert in biochemistry and protein structures, delve into the groundbreaking announcements from the 2024 Nobel Prizes. They discuss the significant role of microRNA in gene regulation and its implications for health. The conversation also highlights advancements in artificial intelligence and its dual nature, weighing its potential against risks associated with job displacement. The importance of collaboration in science, enhanced by AI, is emphasized as a key to future breakthroughs.
23:49
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Quick takeaways
- The discovery of microRNA highlights its crucial role in gene regulation and potential applications in health, particularly cancer treatments.
- The integration of AI into protein structure prediction demonstrates a revolutionary approach to scientific discovery and the need for oversight in rapid technological advancements.
Deep dives
MicroRNA and Gene Regulation
The chapter discusses the groundbreaking work of Nobel Prize winners Victor Ambros and Gary Ravkin, who discovered microRNA and its critical role in gene regulation. MicroRNA acts as a regulator that binds mRNA and controls protein production after the mRNA has already been synthesized, illustrating a significant mechanism in cellular biology. Initially found in the roundworm C. elegans, this discovery was later recognized as a fundamental component across the animal kingdom, with thousands of microRNA genes now identified in humans. The implications of this research extend to potential health applications, including cancer biomarkers and treatments, highlighting the importance of understanding the regulation of gene expression.
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