PROFILE: Katalin Karikó

Abstract

Katalin Karikó is a molecular biologist who became intrigued with the idea of using messenger RNA (mRNA) for therapeutic purposes more than 30 years ago. Messenger RNA is produced within cells by encoding information in DNA, and it directs the production of proteins. Her work paved the way for use of synthetic mRNA to prime the immune system of a host (like you and us) against viruses. mRNA vaccines are in widespread use for the first time as we battle the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19....