对话诺贝尔奖得主Katalin：在人迹未至的道路，我始终相信自己在做很重要的事情

Core Insights - The article highlights the journey of Katalin Karikó, a Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine in 2023, who dedicated over 40 years to mRNA research, which was initially met with skepticism and adversity [1][2]. Group 1: Background and Early Life - Katalin Karikó grew up in a small village in Hungary, which lacked basic amenities like running water and stable electricity, but this environment fostered her curiosity about nature [1]. - Her childhood experiences, such as observing chickens hatching, ignited her scientific intuition [1]. Group 2: Scientific Journey and Challenges - Karikó faced significant challenges in her career, including demotion and difficulty securing funding, as the scientific community was focused on DNA rather than mRNA [1][2]. - Despite the obstacles, she maintained a stoic belief in the importance of her work, emphasizing the need to focus on what can be changed [5]. Group 3: Breakthrough in mRNA Research - A key breakthrough in her research was the discovery that substituting natural components of mRNA with modified nucleotides, like pseudouridine, could significantly reduce harmful immune responses [1][14]. - This discovery was not a sudden insight but rather a slow and arduous process that required extensive experimentation and validation [11][12]. Group 4: Philosophical Approach to Adversity - Karikó's resilience is partly attributed to her unique philosophy of transforming negative pressure into motivation, a mindset shaped by her father's optimistic outlook despite hardships [2][6]. - She believes that true success is not defined by external recognition but by remaining true to oneself and the pursuit of knowledge [2][27]. Group 5: Future of mRNA Technology - mRNA technology has evolved into a revolutionary platform in biomedicine, with applications ranging from vaccines to cancer treatments and protein replacement therapies [2][21]. - The potential of mRNA technology lies in its ability to instruct the body to produce desired proteins, which could address complex diseases caused by protein dysfunction [21][22]. Group 6: Ongoing Research and Development - There are currently over 150 clinical trials utilizing RNA, with a significant portion focused on vaccines, including those for cancer and infectious diseases [22]. - The challenges of mRNA technology include ensuring targeted delivery to specific cells, which remains a critical area for future research [24].