The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023 was awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their discovery of nucleoside base modifications, which was crucial for the development of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. In addition, there are many other significant scientific achievements behind the novel coronavirus mRNA vaccine that deserve attention . This article reviewed the crucial breakthroughs of the mRNA vaccine, such as the initial discovery of mRNA, in vitro RNA synthesis, RNA base modifications, the creation and development of liposomes, and the determination of the major components of lipid nanoparticles for RNA delivery. The seminal scientific advancement which enabled COVID-19 mRNA vaccine underscored the inherent value of pursuing unpopular but important research. We should correctly understand the dialectical relationship between popular and unpopular fields of study, and rally preferential support for unpopular subjects, while ensuring a balanced allocation of resources across the spectrum of subject areas.

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine  /  mRNA vaccines  /  mRNA  /  lipid-based delivery systems