In the late 1980s, Gary Ruvkun and Victor Ambros, working in the lab of Nobel laureate H. Robert Horvitz at MIT, began exploring gene regulation in the roundworm C. elegans. Their work led to the identification of microRNA molecules, which control gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs and preventing their translation into proteins. This mechanism was first published in the journal Cell in 1993 and has since been found to be a fundamental aspect of gene regulation in all multicellular organisms, including humans.

Following the announcement, Gary Ruvkun was reportedly overwhelmed with joy, receiving the news via an early morning phone call. The scientific community at Harvard and beyond has celebrated this achievement, highlighting the potential of microRNA research to revolutionize treatments for diseases like cancer and heart disease. Both Ruvkun and Ambros have emphasized the importance of basic scientific research and its ability to lead to significant medical advancements.

The discovery of microRNA has not only advanced our understanding of genetic regulation but also sparked a surge in research aimed at harnessing these molecules for therapeutic purposes. Over 1,000 human microRNAs have been identified, each potentially playing a role in various physiological and pathological processes. This research has implications for developing targeted therapies, offering new hope for treatments of complex diseases.