5 minute read
The 2024 Nobel Prizes: Honouring breakthroughs in science
The latest Nobel Prize winners have just been announced, leaving many to wonder where this tradition originates from. The Nobel Prizes are among the most distinguished awards in the world, recognising outstanding contributions to humanity in fields such as peace, literature and science. These awards were established in 1901 under the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and philanthropist best known for inventing dynamite. The Nobel Prize was designed to recognise individuals who greatly improve human welfare. Nobel left a substantial inheritance to be invested in solid securities upon his death in 1896. The interest generated by this fund was to be distributed annually as rewards to those who had made outstanding contributions to society in the previous year.
In his will, Nobel specified the disciplines for which the prizes would be awarded: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. He also defined the criteria for the relevant prize-awarding committees. Notably, Nobel envisioned the Peace Prize as a recognition for persons who have made substantial contributions to promoting worldwide fraternity, eliminating standing armies and conducting peace conferences. Each Nobel Prize category has its own selection committee made up of specialists in the field. Qualified individuals and organisations submit nominations, and committees carefully analyse the applicants’ contributions before reaching a judgement. The winners, known as Nobel laureates, are announced in October, and the awards ceremony takes place on December 10, Alfred Nobel’s death anniversary.
American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun have been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pioneering work on microRNAs, which are small non-coding RNA molecules that play critical roles in gene expression. Their 1990s research concentrated on the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. MicroRNAs control gene activity by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA), which influences how proteins are generated within cells. Their discovery marked a watershed moment in molecular biology, revealing a hitherto unknown layer of genetic regulation.
Ambros’ and Ruvkun’s results have significant implications for understanding a variety of health disorders, including cancer and heart disease, and have paved the way for novel therapeutic approaches. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has recognised numerous achievements in the past, which include the discovery of insulin and the production of vaccinations, as well as advances in genetic research and immunology.
The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton for their innovative use of statistical physics concepts in developing artificial neural networks (ANNs). These networks have become foundational to machine learning and artificial intelligence, enabling machines to find and comprehend patterns in large datasets. Hopfield’s work pioneered the use of energy landscapes to understand neural network behaviour, and Hinton’s contribution has been crucial in furthering deep learning, a type of machine learning that mimics human brain function. Their collaborative research has not only accelerated AI developments but has also discovered applications in fields as disparate as particle physics, material science and astronomy.
One notable recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics is Albert Einstein, who received the award in 1921 for his innovative explanation of the photoelectric effect. This is a phenomenon which occurs when light shines on particular materials, causing them to emit electrons and giving critical evidence for the quantum theory of light. Einstein’s work not only challenged conventional physics, but it also paved the way for modern quantum mechanics.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper for their work in predicting and designing protein structures. Baker has been instrumental in creating entirely new proteins, a feat once considered nearly impossible, while Hassabis and Jumper developed an AI model capable of solving a long-standing problem in biology: accurately predicting the complex structures of proteins. Their work utilises computational biology and machine learning to address challenges that have persisted for decades. Proteins are essential molecules in all living organisms, playing critical roles in structure, function and regulation. Understanding their structure enables scientists to design new proteins for therapeutic applications, such as creating novel drugs or addressing diseases at the molecular level.
One cannot mention the Nobel Prize without mentioning Marie Curie. Marie Curie was the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded in 1903. In 1911, she made history again by being the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific domains, this time in Chemistry for her discovery of radium and polonium. Her groundbreaking work on radioactivity not only improved the scientific community’s grasp of atomic science, but it also laid the groundwork for important advances in medical therapies, particularly cancer therapy. Curie’s outstanding achievements and role as a trailblazer for women in science continue to inspire future generations of researchers and scientists.
The 2024 Nobel Prize announcements highlight the continual pursuit for knowledge and the unwavering human desire to understand and better the world. Victor Ambros, Gary Ruvkun, John J. Hopfield, Geoffrey E. Hinton, David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper made significant contributions to their respective disciplines, demonstrating science’s transformational power. As we celebrate these achievements, we are reminded of the significance of harnessing such developments ethically and responsibly, ensuring that the benefits of these innovations extend to the entire humanity.
