Gary Ruvkun: Nobel Prize Conversations

In this episode of Nobel Prize Conversations, Adam Smith interviews Gary Ruvkun, the 2024 Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine, about his groundbreaking discovery of micro RNA and its role in gene regulation. The conversation begins with Ruvkun's pride in Harvard's stance amidst political clashes and transitions to the unexpected nature of his prize-winning research, highlighting the importance of government-supported genome projects and the collaborative spirit within the scientific community, particularly the influence of John Sulston. Ruvkun shares insights into the advantages of using C. elegans in genetic research, his suspicion about life's extraterrestrial origins, and personal anecdotes from his travels and early life, including his ham radio days and junkyard visits. The discussion also covers the complexities of the genetic code, the wobble hypothesis, and Ruvkun's unexpected foray into COVID-19 research, concluding with his advice to young scientists to seek unoccupied research territories and embrace the adaptability inherent in genetics.