The Woman Who Saved the World

Summary

This SciShow video highlights the inspiring story of Katalin Karikó, co-winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. It chronicles her decades of perseverance in advancing mRNA research despite setbacks, lack of funding, and skepticism from the scientific community. Karikó's breakthrough in modifying RNA to avoid triggering immune responses laid the groundwork for the development of mRNA vaccines, including those for COVID-19. The video celebrates her pivotal contributions to science and the profound impact of her work, illustrating how one determined scientist's unwavering commitment saved countless lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Katalin Karikó's story is one of perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and revolutionary scientific contributions.
• 😀 She faced numerous challenges throughout her career, including financial struggles and resistance from authority figures.
• 😀 Karikó's research on mRNA, which started in the 1970s, paved the way for future vaccine development, including for COVID-19.
• 😀 In 1995, after being demoted due to lack of funding, Karikó chose to continue her mRNA research despite the lack of support.
• 😀 She collaborated with immunologist Drew Weissman in 1997, which eventually led to groundbreaking discoveries in mRNA technology.
• 😀 Karikó and Weissman’s 2005 paper showed how modified RNA could avoid triggering immune responses, a key development for mRNA vaccines.
• 😀 Despite the importance of their work, their paper was initially rejected by top journals and published elsewhere.
• 😀 Their research was later adopted by biotech companies Moderna and BioNTech, which played crucial roles in developing the COVID-19 vaccine.
• 😀 Karikó's determination and dedication led to her recognition with the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
• 😀 Her work not only contributed to the fight against COVID-19 but also laid the foundation for potential future treatments for other diseases, like cancer.
• 😀 Karikó's experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing by one’s research and the profound impact of scientific innovation.

Q & A

What is the significance of Katalin Karikó's work in the context of mRNA research?

Katalin Karikó's work was pivotal in developing mRNA technology, which led to the creation of mRNA vaccines, including those for COVID-19. Her research made it possible to safely deliver mRNA into cells without triggering an immune response, which was a major challenge in the 1980s and 90s.

How did Katalin Karikó's early life and career reflect the challenges she faced in pursuing science?

Karikó faced significant challenges from the start. Born in Hungary, she had to leave her home country due to lack of research funding, and when she moved to the U.S., she and her husband had to smuggle money out in a teddy bear. These early struggles highlighted her perseverance and determination.

What was the major obstacle Karikó encountered in the 1980s and 90s regarding mRNA research?

The two major obstacles were the difficulty of manufacturing RNA, which was unstable, and the fact that synthetic mRNA triggered immune responses when introduced into living organisms, making it unsafe for use in humans.

What ultimatum did Katalin Karikó face in 1995, and how did she respond?

In 1995, Karikó was given an ultimatum by the University of Pennsylvania to either change her research focus or accept a demotion and pay cut. She chose to continue her research on mRNA, believing in its potential to revolutionize medicine, even though the future was uncertain.

Who did Karikó meet that would become her collaborator, and how did their relationship start?

In 1997, Karikó met immunologist Drew Weissman while both were fighting over a photocopier. They struck up a conversation about mRNA, and Weissman challenged her to prove that mRNA could be used for a vaccine, which led to a collaboration that would change the future of medicine.

What was the breakthrough discovery made by Karikó and Weissman in 2005?

In 2005, Karikó and Weissman discovered that adding a chemical modification called pseudouridine to mRNA helped prevent it from triggering an immune response, making it safe to use in humans. This discovery was key to the development of mRNA vaccines.

Why was Karikó's 2005 paper rejected by major journals, and what was the outcome?

Her 2005 paper was rejected by prestigious journals like *Nature* and *Science*, even though it contained the key insight that mRNA could be used for vaccines without causing harm. However, small biotech startups like Moderna and BioNTech later licensed her ideas, and the research proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How did the scientific community react to Karikó’s discoveries in the early 2000s?

Initially, the scientific community largely ignored Karikó’s discoveries. Despite the groundbreaking nature of her work, her ideas were dismissed by major journals and institutions, leading her to face significant professional setbacks, including being told she was 'not of faculty quality' by the University of Pennsylvania.

What role did pseudouridine play in the development of mRNA vaccines?

Pseudouridine was crucial because it allowed synthetic mRNA to avoid detection by the immune system. By replacing the base uridine with pseudouridine, the mRNA could be safely used in vaccines, significantly enhancing the production of proteins in cells and enabling the creation of effective vaccines.

What was the outcome of Karikó's scientific journey after she left the University of Pennsylvania?

After leaving Penn, Karikó became a Vice President at BioNTech, one of the companies that would go on to develop a successful mRNA vaccine for COVID-19. Her contributions were finally recognized on a global scale, culminating in her winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023.