Gary Ruvkun and Victor Ambros made a groundbreaking discovery in 1992 with microRNA, which was initially met with indifference. Their findings, published in 1993, revealed new gene regulation mechanisms in C. elegans and, although their work attracted a modest audience, it eventually sparked a surge of interest across various scientific communities. Today, microRNAs are fundamental in understanding gene expression and are being researched for therapeutic applications in diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer's. Their decades-long dedication and NIH funding have greatly impacted the biology field and broadened understanding of genetics.
Ruvkun noted that their research gradually gained attention, stating, "This was some revolutionary stuff, and we were the only people thinking about tiny RNAs in the world."
The interest in RNA research has increased significantly since their initial discovery, with meetings that once attracted 100 doubling in size, highlighting the field's explosive growth.
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