Chemistry AND Reinventing Progress: Nobel Prize laureate Katalin Karikó on the mRNA covid vaccine

Professor Katalin Karikó’s research led to the creation of the messenger RNA Covid-19 vaccine, which has saved so many lives and helped curb the impact of the pandemic. She has quite literally changed the world! Ilham sits down with Professor Karikó to talk about her invaluable research; her passion for science; her upbringing in Hungary; women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers; her advice for young scientists, and much more1:42 - Upbringing in Hungary5:26 - Move to the United States7:43 - Development of the Covid-19 vaccine11:23 - mRNA technology as a potential solution for other diseases13:49 - Receiving the covid-19 vaccine - the results of her work15:19 - Story of resilience and determination amid challenges21:15 - Adjusting to almost overnight fame22:50 - Educating the public24:06 - Championing women scientists24:44 - Role models28:28 - Advice to young scientistsProfessor Katalin Karikó is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, where she worked for 24 years before joining BioNTech SE in 2013 as a senior VP. She is also professor at University of Szeged, Hungary from where she received her PhD in biochemistry in 1982. For decades, her research has focused on RNA-mediated mechanisms with the ultimate goal of developing mRNA for protein therapy. She investigated RNA-mediated immune activation and together with Drew Weissman discovered that nucleoside modifications suppress the immunogenicity of RNA, which widened the therapeutic potentials of mRNA. Her patent, co-invented with Drew Weissman, was used to create the FDA-approved covid-19 mRNA vaccines by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna. Her groundbreaking contribution was to use chemistry to modify the mRNA so that it wouldn't be rejected by the immune system. In the future, her research could be applied to many other diseases such as cancer, influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, and so much more. Professor Karikó has won numerous awards for her incredible work, including the Solvay Prize.  For additional details about the podcast, show notes, and access to resources mentioned during the show, please visit https://www.syensqo.com/en/podcast

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