Nobel Prize in Medicine 2022: Scientific advances and revolutionary discoveries in the running
Each year, the Nobel Prize in Medicine rewards scientific advances and revolutionary discoveries that have had a significant impact on the field of health. As the announcement of the winner approaches, excitement grows around the different research that may be eligible for this prestigious award. Here’s a look at the most promising research that could be recognized this year.
Research into narcolepsy has attracted growing interest in recent years, particularly because of the key role of the molecule called orexin in this sleep disorder. French researchers Emmanuel Mignot and Japanese Masashi Yanagisawa are cited as potential candidates for having made major advances in this field.
Another interesting avenue could be the work of the Hungarian Katalin Kariko and the American Drew Weissman on messenger RNA vaccines. Their pioneering research paved the way for the development of Covid-19 vaccines and has already been widely recognized. However, it is common for the Nobel committee to take several decades before recognizing a breakthrough discovery, so it is possible that their contribution will be distinguished later.
In the field of cancer, the work of American biologist Kevan M. Shokat could also be rewarded. His research into blocking the KRAS gene, which is involved in a third of cancers, offers new hope in the fight against this devastating disease.
Other upcoming research includes cell therapy, which allows cells of the immune system to be programmed to fight cancer, as well as the study of the human microbiota and its impact on our health.
In addition to the Nobel Prize in Medicine, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Literature and Peace will also be awarded this week. Discoveries of twisted graphene, the Antarctic neutrino observatory, next-generation sequencing of DNA, and metal-organic arrays (MORs) for absorbing hazardous gases are all topics that could be rewarded in these respective fields.
As the world looks forward to revealing the winners of these Nobel Prizes, it is undeniable that scientific research continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of the world and our ability to improve human life. Researchers and scientists are the unsung heroes of our society, and these Nobel Prizes are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate their exceptional contributions to humanity.