American Cancer Society Funded Researchers Awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

ATLANTA, October 7, 2024 - The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to American scientists Dr. Victor Ambros and Dr. Gary Ruvkun for their work on the discovery of microRNA, a molecule that governs how cells in the body function. They join 50 other investigators funded by the American Cancer Society (ACS) who have previously received this prestigious honor. The Nobel Prize committee announced the award in Sweden today, seen as the pinnacle of scientific achievement.

Dr. Ambros received several early career grants from ACS between 1980-1990. Dr. Ruvkun also received a faculty research award grant from ACS from 1991-1995. Both researchers have also served as mentors on awarded grants from ACS.

"The discovery of microRNA has led to a greater understanding of the impact gene regulation can have on diseases such as cancer. Dr. Ambros' and Dr. Ruvkun's work has proven to be essential to our understanding of how organisms develop and function and will continue to play a pivotal role in future cancer research and treatment methods," said Dr. Karen Knudsen, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). "ACS prides itself on identifying and funding talented investigators, and we are so proud to have supported this important work."

Dr. Ambros is a professor of natural science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Dr. Ruvkun is a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, also affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The Nobel Prize committee praised their "groundbreaking discovery," which the committee said, "revealed an entirely new dimension to gene regulation."

The Nobel Prize is awarded in memory of Alfred Nobel since 1901 and celebrates achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences. An awards ceremony will be held in December for the honorees.

The American Cancer Society is honored to have now funded 52 investigators who went on to win the Nobel Prize. This is a tribute to the ACS research program and the strength of its peer-review process.

Learn more about ACS-funded research on cancer.org.

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About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it for everyone. For more than 110 years, we have been the only organization improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at
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