What is microRNA, this year's Nobel-winning discovery?

Most scientists didn’t pay attention to Prof Ambros’ discovery of microRNA, which was published in 1993, as they thought it only applied to worms. — AFP

The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded on Oct 7 (2024) to two American scientists for discovering microRNA, a previously unknown type of genetic switch that is hoped can pave the way for new medical breakthroughs.

But while several treatments and tests are under development using microRNAs against cancer, heart disease, viruses and other illnesses, none have actually reached patients yet.