Over 1,000 attendees at Nobel Laureate Professor Craig Cameron Mello’s lecture at MUW

Prof. Craig C. Mello, man in a yellow shirt with a microphone stands in front of an audience in a lecture hall. He gestures with his hand. A poster in the background reads 'CRAIG MELLO RNA: Ancient Mechanisms.
The auditorium of the MUW Didactic Center was filled with members of the University’s rectoral and dean’s authorities, as well as our researchers and scientists. Polish and international students at the Medical University of Warsaw turned out in large numbers to attend the lecture, along with groups from high schools affiliated with MUW.

Professor Craig Cameron Mello, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2006 for the discovery of RNA interference, began his lecture with a description of genome evolution. He discussed experiments conducted on Caenorhabditis elegans, nematodes that led to a groundbreaking discovery: the specific silencing of gene expression through double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). 

Simplicity of the Nobel-winning experiment 

Professor Mello emphasized the simplicity of the experiment which earned him the Nobel Prize. He encouraged young researchers not to shy away from the simplest and most obvious solutions – those often overlooked by others. He advocated open-mindedness and breaking away from stereotypes. He spoke of human curiosity as a constant driver of scientific progress and stressed that without a passion for science, pursuing a scientific career is meaningless. He pointed out the importance of failure in research, seeing it as a valuable source of insight and inspiration.

From award to practical application

The Nobel Laureate also described the challenging path from receiving the prize to the development and implementation of life-saving medications, his collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, and clinical trials. He expressed gratitude to the many collaborators without whom his discovery would not have found practical application.
In addition to delivering the lecture, Professor Craig Cameron Mello met with representatives of the MUW Student Government and Scientific Clubs, as well as doctoral students from the MUW Doctoral School. He also held discussions with the University’s authorities.

A discovery that opened new pathways in research

According to MUW Rector, Professor Rafał Krenke, the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), a mechanism regulating gene expression, was a breakthrough for medicine:

“The pioneering research of Craig Mello and Andrew Fire demonstrated that double-stranded RNA can silence specific genes, effectively switching them off. This discovery not only changed our understanding of molecular biology but also opened entirely new directions in biomedical research, diagnostics, and therapy.

RNA interference has since become an essential tool in studying gene function and laid the foundation for the development of new treatments for genetic diseases, viral infections, and even cancer. Professor Mello’s achievements are a prime example of how fundamental scientific research can lead to major advances in medicine.”

Craig Cameron Mello is a professor of molecular medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The research that earned him the Nobel Prize –conducted together with Andrew Z. Fire – was conducted at the Carnegie Institution of Washington and published in 1998. In awarding the prize, the Karolinska Institute emphasized that the researchers “discovered a fundamental mechanism for controlling the flow of genetic information.”

 

The main organizer of Craig C. Mello’s visit to Warsaw is Nobel Prize Outreach as part of the Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative, in collaboration with AstraZeneca. This international program enables Nobel Laureates to share inspiring stories and insights with the academic community, particularly with young researchers and students.


 

A group of people pose for a photo in an auditorium with red seats. In the background, two screens with the caption: 'CRAIG MELLO RNAi: Ancient Mechanism, New Medicines'.
Lecture by Professor Craig C. Mello in the auditorium. The audience sits on chairs and steps, facing the speaker. In front of him are two screens with images resembling plant cells or biological tissues.
A man, Professor Craig C. Mello, wearing a yellow shirt, speaks at a lectern to a large audience in an auditorium. In the background are rows of red armchairs occupied by listeners and photos on the wall.
A large group of people are sitting in the auditorium on red chairs. Six people are visible in the front row, including a man in yellow pants and a woman in a blue suit.
An auditorium with an audience sitting on red chairs during a lecture. On the right, a man in a light-colored shirt and beige pants stands at a podium with two monitors displaying diagrams. In the background are white walls with acoustic panels and an emergency exit door.
A man, prof. Craig C. Mello, in a yellow shirt stands behind a lectern with a microphone and laptop. In the background is a screen with a presentation on RNAi therapy.
A group of people are sitting on colorful recliners in a conference room, watching a presentation on three screens. In the background are photos of operating rooms and the logo of Warsaw Medical University. The walls are decorated with posters of the university.
Seven people, rectoral authorities, deans and Prof. Craig C. Mello, in formal attire sit at an oval table in an elegant office. On the table are cups of coffee, bottles of water and glasses. In the background are wooden bookshelves and closed doors.