32 Comments
founding
Oct 3, 2023Liked by Katelyn Jetelina, Edward Nirenberg

Quite serendipitously Dr. Kariko’s memoir is coming out next week. I had the honor of reviewing the manuscript and it is incredible. The book is called Breaking Through: My Life in Science and it hits the shelves Oct 10.

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Oct 3, 2023Liked by Edward Nirenberg

Once again, a very clear and simple explanation. Thanks! And congratulations to Katalin and Drew! At last the Nobel Committee got out of the ice and awarded these two in record time. Well done.

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Grants cancelled or applications repeatedly rejected. Being demoted by the "wise heads" at Penn in the midst of the struggle. A lesser scientist would have given up and moved on. Katalin Kariko is an inspiration to us all, and richly deserves the Nobel. One wonders what other breakthroughs have been crushed by research administrators who see only the immediate dollar signs and don't appreciate the value of the research goal.

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This is an excellent description of vaccine development.

Far from being "rushed", the discovery and design of mRNA vaccines started when I was just about to enter high school, involving over SIX DECADES of research in multiple fields.

I wish I had had such an easily understandable graphic to show to the vaccine-hesitant parents of my patients while I was in practice.

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I live in a place where I am much more fearful of Lyme Disease than of COVID now that we have a vaccine for the latter, so I am excited to see tick-borne diseases on the list of things the technology might be used for.

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founding

Thrilling to see the Nobel go to these two. So well-earned!

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founding
Oct 3, 2023·edited Oct 3, 2023

It would have been helpful [later edit—“for the media in 2020/21”] to have emphasized how longstanding the mRNA tech was. My impression is that the corporate hype of Radical Revolutionary Newness backfired.

Then again, the willfully deluded are just that and probably unreachable.

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Katelyn, Thanks so much for helping non-scientists like me understand something so complex. You continue to amaze with your ability to do so. Also enjoyed your interview with Andy on "In the Bubble." You two are my Covid heroes!

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THANKS goodness they were decades into the research. 10s of millions would have died otherwise!

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I’m really just asking for links to the clinical trials that showed the safety of the mRNA method. I appreciate anyone’s help with that. Thank you.

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Reading this brings up questions on the safety concerns. Can you address how the safety of this method was tested so we can explain it to those who are hesitant? Thank you for your work!

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Such gratitude for these scientists. Currently pretty uncomfortable from the vaccination I was lucky enough to get today. Focusing on gratitude helps.

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Finally, a clear explanation of mRNA-based vaccines. Thanks!

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This is a stunning achievement, CONGRATULATIONS! Wonderful, clear article. I get emotional when I know about the incredible, dedicated, challenging work that scientists and others do in the service of humanity.

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I and millions of lives that she helped to save Thank her.

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