Katalin Karikó
Katalin Karikó is known for her research regarding mRNA and nucleoside base modifications that led to the development of effective COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. She was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine alongside Drew Weismann for their research in developing the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine that has now been effectively administered to billions worldwide. The aspiring scientist was born and raised in Kisujszallas, Hungary, and received a Ph.D. at the University of Szeged. She moved to the USA in her 20s to work as a postdoc at Temple University, and eventually with cardiologist Dr. Elliot Barnathan at the University of Pennsylvania to show that mRNA could direct production of new proteins when injected into cells. Although Karikó did not receive many grants and was unable to find a permanent faculty position, she did not let these numerous setbacks deter her from her passion for mRNA research. After coincidentally meeting Dr. Drew Weissman when the pair were photocopying papers, they soon discovered that adding pseudouridine to mRNA allowed it to evade the body’s immune response. This meant that the mRNA could be used to alter protein production without being attacked by the body. Under Kariko and Weissman’s findings, mRNA that would instruct the body to make copies of the coronavirus spike proteins could be injected to defend against COVID-19 instead of using a piece of the virus itself. Furthermore, their findings about the nucleoside would prevent the mRNA from being immediately attacked and degraded by the human body. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech would soon turn their attention to this research to create the vaccine we are familiar with today, all thanks to Kariko’s unbelievable resilience and true love for mRNA.
-Darshini
