Ananya Gupta
October 03, 2023 06:41
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Drew Weissman has been recognized with the following accolade: For his contributions to the discoveries regarding nucleoside base modifications that paved the way for the development of highly effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
Drew Weissman was born in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA, in 1959. He pursued a distinguished academic and research career, earning both MD and PhD degrees from Boston University in 1987. He completed his clinical training at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, where he furthered his expertise in the medical field. Weissman conducted postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), gaining valuable insights into the realm of biomedical research.
In 1997, Drew Weissman took a significant leap in his scientific journey by founding his own research group at the prestigious Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In recognition of his profound contributions to vaccine research, he holds the distinguished title of the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research. He serves as the Director of the Penn Institute for RNA Innovations, a testament to his pivotal role in advancing RNA-based technologies and groundbreaking therapies. Drew Weissman’s career exemplifies a commitment to advancing medical knowledge and fostering innovation in the fields of RNA and vaccine research.
| Drew Weissman Biography | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 7, 1959 |
| Nationality | Lexington, Massachusetts, U.S |
| Education | Brandeis University (BA, MA) Boston University (MD, PhD) |
| Known for | Modified mRNA technologies used in COVID-19 vaccines |
| Awards | Rosenstiel Award (2020), Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award (2021), VinFuture Prize (2022) Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences (2022), Harvey Prize (2023 awarded for the year 2021), and Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2023) |
In Lexington, Massachusetts, U.S Drew Weissman was born on September 7, 1959. So, as of October 3, 2023, Drew Weissman would be 64 years old.
Drew Weissman’s early life and education are marked by a commitment to scientific inquiry and a diverse cultural background:
Early Life:
Education:
Graduate Studies:
Clinical Residency and Fellowship:
Drew Weissman’s early life and educational journey laid a solid foundation for his subsequent contributions to the fields of immunology, microbiology, and vaccine research. His diverse cultural background and rigorous academic training have played a pivotal role in shaping his illustrious career.
In 1997, Drew Weissman embarked on a significant career move, transitioning to the University of Pennsylvania to establish his laboratory dedicated to the study of RNA and innate immune system biology. Over the years, his contributions in this realm have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of vaccine research. Today, he holds the distinguished title of the Roberts Family Professor in Vaccine Research at the University of Pennsylvania.
During his tenure at the University, Weissman’s path intersected with that of Katalin Karikó, a fellow scientist and future collaborator. Their fortuitous encounter occurred at a photocopier, where they shared their frustrations regarding the scarcity of funding for RNA research. At that juncture, Karikó had been exploring RNA therapy’s potential applications in addressing cerebral diseases and strokes.
Recognizing the untapped potential of RNA technology in the realm of vaccines, Weissman and Karikó embarked on a collaborative journey. They confronted a significant obstacle—the tendency of RNA to trigger undesirable immune and inflammatory reactions as adverse side effects. In a groundbreaking 2005 study, they unveiled a transformative approach that employed synthetic nucleosides to modify RNA, shielding it from degradation by the body. This pivotal breakthrough laid the foundation for the emergence of RNA therapeutics, although it garnered relatively little attention at the time.
In 2006, Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó co-founded RNARx with a shared vision: to advance the frontiers of RNA therapies and unlock their potential for addressing a myriad of medical challenges. Fast forward to 2020, their modified RNA technology played a pivotal role as the foundational component of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which rapidly became global tools in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, Weissman aspires to leverage the same pioneering technology to develop vaccines targeting formidable adversaries such as influenza, herpes, and HIV.
Beyond his research, Drew Weissman has extended his expertise and collaborative efforts internationally. He has been working closely with scientists at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University to develop and provide COVID-19 vaccines for Thailand and neighboring low-income countries, aiming to bridge gaps in global vaccine access and combat the pandemic on a global scale.
Within our cellular framework, the transfer of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA) serves as a pivotal process, acting as the blueprint for protein synthesis. The 1980s marked a transformative era with the introduction of efficient techniques for mRNA production outside of cell culture, known as in vitro transcription. This breakthrough accelerated progress across multiple domains of molecular biology. Ideas surrounding the potential applications of mRNA technology for vaccines and therapeutics began to germinate. However, formidable challenges loomed on the horizon.
In vitro transcribed mRNA presented a set of formidable hurdles. It was considered unstable and cumbersome to deliver, necessitating the development of intricate carrier lipid systems to encapsulate the mRNA. Furthermore, the use of in vitro-produced mRNA often triggered inflammatory reactions. Consequently, enthusiasm for harnessing mRNA technology for clinical purposes initially remained limited.
Undeterred by these obstacles, Hungarian biochemist Katalin Karikó remained resolute in her pursuit of methods to harness mRNA for therapeutic purposes. During the early 1990s, while serving as an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, she remained steadfast in her commitment to realizing the therapeutic potential of mRNA, even in the face of challenges in securing research funding and convincing others of the significance of her vision.
Fate intervened when Karikó crossed paths with immunologist Drew Weissman, a new colleague at her university. Weissman’s research focused on dendritic cells, which play pivotal roles in immune surveillance and the activation of vaccine-induced immune responses. Their collaboration, fueled by fresh insights, embarked on an exploration of how various RNA types interacted with the immune system, setting the stage for a transformative partnership in the realm of mRNA research.
| Related Links | |
|---|---|
| Nobel Prize Winners 2023 List | Katalin Karikó Biography |
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