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www.japanprize.jp

No. 65Jan. 2022

2022 Japan Prize Laureates AnnouncedneProf. Katalin Karikó

Senior Vice President, BioNTech SE
Adjunct Professor, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania
Professor, University of Szeged
Hungary/ USA

Prof. Drew Weissman

Professor of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Director Penn Institute for RNA Innovation
USA

Fields Eligible for the Award:

Prof. Christopher Field

Director, Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford University
Professor for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies
USA

Fields Eligible for the Award:

Materials and Production

Biological Production, Ecology/Environment

For pioneering research contributing
to the development of mRNA vaccines

For outstanding contributions to estimationof global biospheric productivity and climate change science
using advanced formulas based on observation

COVID-19 vaccinations began in the United States and United Kingdom
ahead of the rest of the world in December 2020, and people in Japan also
became eligible to receive the vaccines in February 2021. It was initiallythought that it would take years to develop the vaccines, but mass
production became possible in only around one year, thus saving many
lives and stemming economic losses across the globe. The vaccines are now
serving as a powerful tool in bringing the global pandemic to a close. ThesemRNA (or messenger-RNA) vaccines differ from conventional vaccines.
Like DNA, mRNA is a type of nucleic acid, and it serves as the blueprint
for protein synthesis in the body. Research into medical applications formRNA was conducted alongside research into DNA in the 1990s, but it wasabandoned due to obstacles caused by undesired immune response.
However, in 2005, Professors Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
discovered that by replacing the uridine in mRNA with a modified nucleic
acid called pseudouridine, they could suppress that undesired immune
response. Furthermore, in 2008, they announced that using pseudouridine
allowed them to achieve their goal of increased protein production. These
discoveries opened the doors to using mRNA in medical applications andmade it possible for COVID-19 vaccines to be developed quickly.

The establishment of the Japan Prize was motivated by the Japanese
government's desire to create an internationally recognized award that would
contribute to scientific and technological development around the world.
With the support of numerous donations, the Japan Prize Foundation
received endorsement from the Cabinet Office in 1983.
The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and engineers from around theworld who have made creative and dramatic achievements that help progress
their fields and contribute significantly to realizing peace and prosperity for

Estimates based on the dynamics of the global biosphere are essential
for accurate prediction of future climate change. Particularly importantis to clarify what effect plants, which serve as sinks for carbon dioxide(CO2), have on climate change. Without an understanding of that, it is
impossible to know how much the reduction of artificial CO2 emissions
will help in stopping the progress of global warming.
Professor Christopher Field has spent much of his career
accumulating data on living leaves through in-field observation, and heused that data to make it possible to express how the photosynthetic rateof leaves is dependent on the environment in which they grow.
Moreover, he developed the equations that enable a plant ecosystem tobe considered a single virtual leaf: the “Big-leaf Model.” He thenintegrated this with climate models, satellite observations, andoceanographic research to clarify the global distribution of CO 2absorption across both land and sea, and to identify the factors that
affect CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.
Field’s research has become the scientific basis for the climatechange measures being implemented today through such initiatives as
the Paris Agreement, an international framework for combatting global
warming, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

all humanity. Researchers in all fields of science and technology are eligible
for the award, with two fields selected each year in consideration of current
trends in scientific and technological development. In principle, one
individual in each field is recognized with the award, and receives acertificate, a medal, and a monetary prize. Each Award Ceremony isattended by the current Emperor and Empress, heads of the three branches ofgovernment and other related officials, and representatives from various
other elements of society.

Field of Materials and Production
Field of Materials and Production
Achievement : For pioneering research contributing to thedevelopment of mRNA vaccines

Achievement : For pioneering research contributing to thedevelopment of mRNA vaccines
Prof. Katalin Karikó(Hungary/ USA)

(Age: 67) (Hungary/ USA)
Born: January
17, 1955 Karikó
Prof. Katalin
January 17,
1955 (Age:Senior Born:
Vice President,
BioNTech
SE67)
Vice President,
AdjunctSenior
Professor,
PerelmanBioNTech
School ofSEMedicine, University of Pennsylvania
Adjunct
Professor,
Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Professor,
Universityof Szeged
Professor, University of Szeged

Prof.Prof.
Drew
Weissman(USA)
Drew
Weissman(USA)

Born: September
7, 1959 (Age: 62)
Born: September 7, 1959 (Age: 62)
Professorof Medicine,
Universityof Pennsylvania
SchoolProfessorof Medicine,
Universityof Pennsylvania
SchoolofofMedicine
Medicine
Director
Penn
Institutefor
RNA
Innovation
Director Penn Institute for RNA Innovation

Theofroleof mRNAin protein
synthesis
The rolemRNA
in protein
synthesis
Vaccines are medicines that remind the immune system to attack proteins

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are tomedicinesthat remind
the immune
system to
attack
proteins
particularspecific pathogens
in orderto gain immunity(i.e.,
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pathogens
in
order
to
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immunity(i.e.,
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external pathogens
as humanvirusescells
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cells by seen
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research
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body. Itwith
is possible
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getconventionthem into
al vaccines, but mRNA vaccines harness mRNA, which serves as a blueprint
the body.
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al vaccines,
mRNA
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beforebut
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DNA. The
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produce spike
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withinthe body.in the cells read that information
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ribosomes
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produce spike proteins within the body.
How the COVID-19 vaccine works
Whatmechanismsvaccine
do COVID-19
How theCOVID-19
worksvaccines harness to prevent viral

infection and reduce symptom severity?
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Whatbody.
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usesCOVID-19
the body’s protein
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activated
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vaccination
allowsthe spike
protein-coded
mRNA
the

to produce antibodies (left image in Fig. 2). Once the immune system has
made a record of spike proteins, if COVID-19 virions enter the body, a rapid
to produce antibodies (left image in Fig. 2). Once the immune system has
immune response is induced (right image in Fig. 2).
made a record of spike proteins, if COVID-19 virions enter the body, a rapid
Vaccines were conventionally made using attenuated versions of aimmune response is induced (right image in Fig. 2).
virus
or eventheconventionallyviral pathogens
themselves,
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vaccines
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This is the basic mechanism through which the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
This is the basic mechanism through which the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
works.
works.

Pavingway
to mRNA
drugs
pseudouridine
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were dying before they could produce the amount of protein needed to acquire
were dying
they
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other issues
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KatalinKarikówere
and Drew
Weissmancollaborating
1998
5’-capand Drew
Weissmanbegan
collaborating
whenProfessors
they wereKatalin
both at Karikó
the Perelman
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at theUniversity in 1998
O
they wereat theofPerelmanof intoMedicineat the University
ofwhenPennsylvania
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conductingSchool
research
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thecreation.
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look
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uridinea modified
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undesiredimmuneresponseversion(see Fig.called3). pseudouridine, thereby suppressing any ribose
uridine witha modified
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At the time, it was known that immune response can be caused when
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known
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this binding occurs by way ofmRNAwith pseudouridine
does
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uridine. After repeated experimentation, Karikó and Weissman learned thatmRNA with pseudouridine does not bind to those receptors.
After years of mRNA research and related technologicaldevelopment, a vaccine is born

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The
mRNA vaccine
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have appeared all of a sudden, but indevelopment,a may
vaccinereality, mRNA first began to be considered for use in medical applications
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The role of mRNA in protein synthesis
proteins.Figure
Since1:these
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mRNA is placed in tiny,
body, also known as “non-self” proteins, the immune system is activated
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specially-made capsule, andVirus genetic

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Figure 1: The roleinformationof mRNA in protein synthesis(blueprint)

COVID-19

Virus genetic
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mRNA is placed in tiny, COVID-19
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could replace uridine,whichmade it possibletototheadminisAchievement: For pioneeringresearch
contributing
ter mRNA fromexternal sources.
Moreover,they showed in 2008 thatdevelopmentof mRNA
vaccines

pseudouridine-mRNA efficiently produces proteins in vivo, and in 2012,

Prof.they
KatalinKarikó
(Hungary/ USA)
successfully
achieved highly-efficient
protein production within mice.

These fundamentally
important67) findings were the result of the collaboration
Born: January
17, 1955 (Age:the two researchers.
Senior between
Vice President,
BioNTech SE
The most importantof mRNAUniversity
is that it canartificially
Adjunct Professor,
Perelmancharacteristic
School of Medicine,of bePennsylvania
designed
to makecells produce the specific protein desired. Harnessing
Professor,
Universityof Szeged
this feature not only allows for the creation of vaccines to use against otherdiseases, but it can also be used to create cancer treatments that
Prof.infectious
Drewantibody
Weissman(USA)in treating cancer, and can be used in
produceproteins effective
Born: September
7, 1959 (Age:regenerative medicine
to treat62)
heart failure and other ailments. Clinical trials
Professorof Medicine,
Universityof Pennsylvania
are alreadyunderway
for applications
like these. School of Medicine
Director Penn
Institute for RNA Innovation
The development/manufactureof new drugs that use mRNA is acceleratingand expanding, leaving us poised on the edge of a revolution in the field of
medicine.
It is all thanks to the research of Professor Katalin Karikó and Professor
Drew Weissman.
to mRNAdrugs with pseudouridine
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inway
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m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ m1Ψ

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5’
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5’-UTR
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composed of 5’-cap, a poly(A) tail, and more, which
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al vaccines, but mRNA vaccines harness mRNA, which serves as a blueprint
Figure 4：The development of mRNA vaccines
for cells
to synthesize spike proteins, and which can be synthesized artificiallyYear administered.
Details
before being
1961
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J. Monod)
Our1960s
bodies know whichofproteins
to makeby using our genetic blueprint or
1969 Laboratory
synthesisof proteinfor
usingmRNA isolated
from living
DNA. The information
on DNAneededproteinsynthesis
is creaturecopied over
Drug transport
liposomes achievedto the 1970s
mRNA, 1971
whereupon
theusing
ribosomesin the cells read that information
and begin synthesizing
protein.
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synthesized
1984 mRNA
1980s
producespike proteinsbody.administered to human cells and frog embryos
in cationicthe
liposomes
1989 mRNAwithin
1990 mRNA injected into mouse muscle and proteins synthesized (Wolﬀ et al)

1990s

1992 Trial of mRNA as therapeutic drug for hereditary disease (in rats)

in cancer treatment
1995 Trial of mRNA
How the COVID-19
vaccineworks (in mice)

1998 Professors Karikó and Weissman begin research collaboration

Inﬂammatory response from mRNA administration is discovered

１

2004 to be do
What mechanisms
COVID-19
vaccines harness to prevent viral
due toTLRs
infectionand reduce
symptom severity?
2000s
2005 Modiﬁed mRNA found to suppress unwanted TLR immune response *1
First, vaccination
allows the spike protein-coded mRNA to enter the2008 Modiﬁed mRNA found to increase protein expression eﬃciency *2
body. That mRNA uses the body’s protein synthesis ability to produce spike
2011 Development of mRNA puriﬁcation method (Karikó et al)proteins. Since these proteins are recognized as coming from outside of the22012 In vivo protein production using modiﬁed mRNA achieved (mice)*3
body, also known
as “non-self” proteins, the immune system is activated2010s

2012 Self-ampliﬁed mRNA vaccine created

to produce antibodies (left image in Fig. 2). Once the immune system has
made a record of spike proteins, if COVID-19 virions enter the body, a rapid
the stomata
immuneresponse
is induced(right image
in Fig. 2).
Field of
Biological
Production,
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Vaccines were conventionally made using attenuated versions of ita became pplantsand t
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thatclimate
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would
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describe cotargeted.
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the
other
hand,
the
inducedproductionof
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inProf. Christopher Field (USA)photosynthethebody
involvesno (Age:use of68)
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Born:
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light, atmosandthe antigenic
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easily shown, so such
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works.
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understand
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into organic matter. However, a great variety of plants can be found on Earth,
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weredying before
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collaborating
plantswould haveto be Karikó
gatheredandand DrewbroughtWeissman
to a laboratory,which
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whenthey wereboth at activity,
the Perelman
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at theenvironmentand biologicaland therefore
resultedin inaccurate
data.University
and photosof ThisPennsylvania
in
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conducting
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understandharnessing
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leaves” of plants rooted in the soil. They could then gather real data that
understandlook
at mRNA as a single substance, and that they could replace its constituent
reflected the growing environment, as there was no longer any need to collecturidine with a modified version called pseudouridine, thereby suppressing any
or move the plants.
undesired immune response (see Fig. 3).
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At the time, it was known that immune response can be caused when CO2 abduring his field surveys and experiments.

mRNA introduced from outside the body binds to Toll-like receptors on the
Equipment
used tobut
measurephotosynthetic
rate andof livingleaves.
cellmembrane,it wasnot yet known
thattranspiration
this binding
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a qualitativ
vegetation
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After years of mRNA research and related technologicalIn colladevelopment,a vaccineis born
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to estimate
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reality, mRNA first began to be considered for use in medical applications
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stomatic
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did not lead to development of any drugs. It wasn’t until 2020 and the urgent
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how easily CO2 and water vapor pass throughterrestrial
vaccinesuccessfully

Bolstering the seemingly short-term development of the mRNA vaccinewasthe1: accumulated
wisdomphotosyntheticof the entire rate,
body of molecular
FigureRelationship between
Figure 2: biology
Leaf photosyntheleaf nitrogen content and light intensityof clinical
trials of Zika
virus vaccine using modiﬁed mRNA
3 How the COVID-19 vaccine works
Figure 2：
Figure 1: The role Beginningof mRNAin protein
synthesis

2017 (in mice and primates). Development of HIV-1 vaccine using modiﬁed
mRNA (in mice)

2020s

Creation of COVID-19 vaccines using modiﬁed mRNA
2020 (BioNTech/Pﬁzer, Moderna)
Virus genetic

Spike protein
information●Blue text:
Accomplishments of Profs. Karikó and Weissman(blueprint)①Research
into the medical applicationsof mRNA was conducted in the 1990s,
COVID-19

but it was deemed too diﬃcult due to mRNA instability and inﬂammatory response.
②Basic lipid nanoparticle model for mRNA transport developed③Revival of mRNA vaccine research
Refs: Molecular Therapy,
27(4) (2019) (mRNA
Special Issue)；E. Dolgen, Nature , 597,318(2021)
Synthesized*1 Karikó, Katalin; Buckstein, Michael; Ni, Houping; Weissman, Drew; "Suppression of RNA
recognition by Toll-like receptors: the impact of nucleoside modiﬁcation and the evolutionary origin of RNA". Immunity. 23(2), 165-175 (2005).
*2 Karikó, Katalin; Muramatsu, Hiromi; Welsh, Frank A.; Ludwig, János; Kato, Hiroki; Akira,Shizuo; Weissman, Drew (November 2008)."Incorporation of pseudouridine into mRNA
yields superior nonimmunogenic vector with increased translational capacity and biological stability". Molecular Therapy, 16 (11): 1833-1840.
*3 Kariko, Katalin; Muramatsu, Hiromi; Keller, Jason M.; Weissman, Drew; “Increased Erythropoiesis inMice Injected With Submicrogram Quantities of Pseudouridine-containing mRNA
Ribosome
Encoding Erythropoietin”, Molecular Therapy, 20(5), 948-953(2012)

Resulting protein is folded into the
spike protein
Ribosomes produce proteins(inside the cell)

Net photosynthetic rate (µmol CO2/g/s)

em hasa rapid

Field of Materials and Production

Leaf nitrogen content

mRNA is placed in tiny,
specially-made capsule, and
0.3
administered as an injection
0.2

60
40

20
COVID-19

0.1 mRNA

10

0
1.0
1.5
2.0
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Based
Field (1983, Oecologia)
mRNAondegrades

Illness cannot be caused
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quickly without
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Leaf interiorPAR
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leavesUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Professorofofliving
Medicine,

ccelerating Director Penn Institute for RNA Innovation
Plants absorb CO2 in the atmosphere through photosynthesis and convert it
he field of
into organic matter. However, a great variety of plants can be found on Earth,d Professor
and the photosynthetic rate of each plant depends on the climate, the soil, its
altitude, and other factors particular to the environment in which it grows.
In the1980s,
Field developed
a device that could measure both
The roleof earlymRNA
in protein
synthesis
photosynthetic and transpiration rates of leaves (see photos below). It allowed
for the control of temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration to measure
Vaccines
are medicinesthat remind
theofimmune
systemto attackproteins
photosynthetic
and transpiration
rates
leaves undervariousconditions.
particular The
to specificpathogens
in
order
to
gain
immunity(i.e.,
resistance)tomost advantageous aspect of this device was its portability. Without that,externalplants
pathogenssuch
asvirusesandbacteria.
would have to be gathered and brought to a laboratory, which affected the
COVID-19 infects human cells by attaching to them using spike proteins
the spikeenvironment and biological activity, and therefore resulted in inaccurate data.
proteins is (the red, club-shaped elements seen in Figure 1.) Previous coronavirus
This device enabled researchers to analyze plants in-situ using the “living
ore, which
research has shown that fragments of those spike proteins can act as antigens
kly. Inflamleaves” of plants rooted in the soil. They could then gather real data that
educed by and activate the immune system to produce antibodies.
reflected the growing environment, as there was no longer any need to collectke protein
The problem with using spike proteins in vaccines is how to get them intoor move the plants.
the body.
It is possible to administer them directly, as is done with conventionField
device tovariousmRNA,
areas towhich
gather servesa vast amountof data
al vaccines,
butbrought
mRNAthevaccines
harness
as a blueprint
his field surveys
and experiments.
for cellsduring
to synthesize
spike proteins,
and which can be synthesized artificiallyet al)

nse *1

2

*3

mRNA
diﬁed

.

)

A
-

a,
A
i-

A

Analyzing a living plant leaf in soil.

１

The equipment can all be stored
in a carrying case.

et al. (1982, Plant, Cell & Environment)
How the COVID-19 vaccineField
works

look at mRNA as a single substance, and that they could replace its constituent
Figure 3: Distrib
uridine with a modified version called pseudouridine, thereby suppressingNP
any
undesired immune response (see Fig. 3).
60
At2 thetime, it was
immune response can be caused whenCOabsorption
in theknown
globalthat
biosphere
mRNA introduced from outside the body binds to Toll-like receptors on30thecellmembrane,butareit wasnot uponyet knownthat this data,binding
Field’sformulasbasedobservational
andoccurs
were by way of
uridine.
Afterrepeated
experimentation,
Karikó
andWeissmanlearned Eq
thatdeveloped to treat plant ecosystems as a single, virtual leaf. Gaining
mRNA with pseudouridine does not bind to those receptors.

a qualitative understanding of the environmental response of complex－30
vegetation through these formulas was significant because it broadened－60
the applicability of the analytical model to cover both terrestrial vegetation Afterand marine
SP
yearsbiospheres.
of mRNA research and related technological180
120°
Indevelopment,
collaboration with
Earth observationa vaccineis born researchers at NASA andLow
other organizations, Field used data gathered by observational satellites
CO2 Abso
to estimate
how much
CO2 may
is being
absorbed
which vegetationi.e.
The mRNAvaccineseem
to havebyappeared
all of a –sudden,
but inplant
photosynthetic– aroundthe planet.
reality,mRNA firstproductivity
began to beconsidered
for use in medical applications
In addition,
collaboratingwith marine
researcherssinceand integrating
more
than 30byyears
ago. Research
has continued
then, even though it
theirfromtomarine
biospheres,
he wasableItto
createuntil
the first
globaldid data
not leaddevelopmentof anydrugs.
wasn’t2020
and the urgent
Figure 4: ArtifCO
2 absorption and emission distribution map that included bothneed presented by the COVID-19 pandemic arrived that a practical mRNA
terrestrial
and marine
ecosystems
vaccine was
successfully
made.(see Fig.3 map).

Leaf photosynthesis
and stomaticfunction
What mechanisms
do COVID-19
vaccines
harness to prevent viral
infection and reduce symptom severity?
Stomata are tiny
poresthefoundon thesurface of plantleaves, toandenterstomatal
First, vaccination
allowsspike
protein-codedmRNA
theresistanceis usedeasilysynthesis
CO2 and ability
water vapor
pass throughbody. ThatmRNA
usestothedescribebody’show
proteinto produce
spike
Bolstering the seemingly short-term development of the mRNA vaccine
2proteins. Since these proteins are recognized as coming from outside of thebody, also
known
as “non-self”
proteins,
the immune
activated
was the accumulated
wisdomFigure1: Relationshipbetweenphotosynthetic
rate,system isFigure
2: Leaf photosynthesis
and stomaticfunctionof the entire body of molecular biology
leaf nitrogen content and light intensity

3 Figure 1: The role of mRNA in protein synthesis

Leaf nitrogen content

0.3
0.2

60

Virus genetic
information(blueprint)

40

Spike protein
COVID-19 20

0.1

10

Synthesized mRNA

00

Resultingprotein1.5
is folded
0.5
1.0
2.0 into the
spikeLightprotein
intensity (mmol/m2/s)

Figure 2：How the COVID-19 vaccine works

Stomatal resistancemeasures how easily
specially-made capsule, andCO2 and water vapor
administered as an injection
Sensible pass through theheatPAR
stomata of a leaf. By
ATP, NADPH
Water
incorporating Field’svapor
COVID-19
CalvinStomatal resistanceformulas for photosynLight
cycle CO2CO
2reactionsmRNAthesis, it became
O2
possible to estimate the
H2O
flow of CO2 and water
Photosynthatefrom Soil（C6H12O6 etc）
vapor between plants
and the atmosphere.
Spike proteins

Stem androots

Antibodies

Based on Sellers et al. (1997, Science)

Ribosome

Based on Field (1983, Oecologia)

Ribosomes produce proteins(inside the cell)

Illness cannot be caused
only by spike proteinsmRNA degrades
quickly without
accumulatingin the body8
6
4

in tiny, Leaf boundary
Stomate\Leaf mRNAinterior is placed

CO2 ﬂux(PgC/y)bryos

Net photosynthetic rate (µmol CO2/g/s)

eaturebefore being
administered.
Equipment
used to measure photosynthetic rate and transpiration of living leaves.
Our bodies know which proteins to make by using our genetic blueprint orDNA. The information on DNA needed for protein synthesis is copied overto the mRNA, whereupon the ribosomes in the cells read that information
and begin synthesizing protein. This biological function is used to effectively
produce spike proteins within the body.

agricultural efforts to improve the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers.
that any CO2 no
Field’s formulas were introduced into the climate models essential tothereby respons
understanding and predicting climate change caused by global warming.
Through his
Paving the way to mRNA drugs with pseudouridine
CO2 is extracted from the atmosphere through the opening and closing
is absorbed byof the stomata, and water vapor drawn up from the roots is also released
continues unaba
why mRNA had not been used in pharmaceutical products
was(see The
Fig. reason2).
atmosphericCObecausedegradeswere
quickly
in vivointo
and,climate
particularly
administeredfromField’s itequationsintroduced
models,when
and withtheemissions and li
outsideoftheliving
body,
it is recognized
as abnormal
the bodyand
therebyadditionplants,the carbon cycle– i.e. the byinterchange
flow triggeringand land cover.
an
inflammatory
immuneresponse.
Asaresult,cells
administeredwith mRNAof CO2 between plants and the atmosphere and oceans – became a new
Field’s resea
werebeforethey could produce the amount of protein needed to acquire
partof dying
the climate
models.
developed into
immunity,
vaccinestowere
causing
feverssuch
and otherissuesin recipients.
This madeandit possible
answerquestionsas how
the risein
CO2 emissions,
Professors
KatalinKarikó
andDrew
Weissmanbegan
collaborating
1998
atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature affects plant growth inandlaying thewhen they were both at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University
and photosynthesis rates, and what sort of feedbacks are produced. That
implement the mof Pennsylvania in the hopes of conducting research into the potential ofunderstanding led to the ability to predict future climate change throughharnessing mRNA in drug creation. In 2005, they discovered that they could
understanding the CO2 cycle.

sources

5 discovery
Field of Biological Production, Ecology/Environmento adminis- Achievement : For pioneering research contributing to the2008 thatdevelopment of mRNA vaccines
Achievement : For outstanding contributions to estimation of
d in 2012,globalbiosphericproductivity
andUSA)climate change science
KatalinKarikó
(Hungary/ithin mice. Prof.using
advanced formulas based on observation
llaboration Born: January 17, 1955 (Age: 67)
Prof.President,
Christopher
Field
Senior Vice
BioNTech
SE (USA)
artificially AdjunctBorn:
March Perelman
12, 1953 (Age:68)of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Professor,
SchoolHarnessing Professor,
Director,
WoodsofInstitute
University
Szegedfor the Environment, Stanford University
Professor for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies
ainst otherments thatbe used in Prof. Drew Weissman (USA)Measuring photosynthetic and transpiration rates
nical trials Born: September 7, 1959 (Age: 62)

to produce antibodies (left image in Fig. 2). Once the immune system has
made a record of spike proteins, if COVID-19 virions enter the body, a rapid
thestomataresponseof a leaf. By
incorporating
Field’sformulasArtificial CO
immuneis induced(rightimage
in Fig.for2).photosynthesis,
it becamepossibletoestimate
the
flow
of
CO
2 and water vapor between
in theVaccines were conventionally made using attenuated versions ofa envir
plantsthe atmosphere.
virusandor eventhe viral pathogens themselves, so it took time to guarantee a
Field continued
engagein theoretical
basedwouldin the notdatacause
he illness,
Field was als
vaccine’ssafety,toi.e.,
to guarantee
thatresearch
the vaccine
gathered
in
his
field
surveysandexperiments.
He
made
it
possibletowould
and to confirm its effectiveness in granting immunity to the disease
being be absor
describe
complexphenomenain induced
a quantitative
way by ofexpressing
wouldtargeted.
On theplant
other
hand, theproduction
spike proteinsin remain inphotosynthetic
rate in leaves
functionthat depends
the body involves
no usethroughof an aactual
virus,
so thereonistemperature,no risk of infection,
Artificial CO
light,
COefficiency
2 concentration,leaf nitrogenlevel,
factors.
and atmospheric
the antigenicof spike
proteins
canandbeother
easilyshown, soCO
such
2 absorbed b
Nitrogencan
hasbe
a madesignificant
influenceon photosynthesis rate. Field
vaccines
highlyeffective.
that CO2 absorb
revealed
howratethroughdepends
on leaf
nitrogenCOVID-19
content vaccine
This isthe photosynthesis
basic mechanism
which
the mRNAto year. It was t
andirradiance levels (see Fig. 1). This research has also contributed toworks.
stable way, but t

2

2
4

sinks

Field of Materials and Production

6
8

1960

Field of Materials and Production

hotosynthesis,
Artificial CO2 emissions and CO2 absorption
Achievement: For pioneering research contributing to thevapor between
in the environment

development of mRNA vaccines

in the dataProf.
he
Field was alsoable to estimate
how much
KatalinKarikó
(Hungary/USA)artificially produced CO2
it possibleBorn:
towould be17,
absorbedby land67)and marine ecosystems, and how much
January
1955 (Age:by expressing
remain inBioNTech
the atmosphere
Senior would
Vice President,
SE (see chart in Fig. 4).
n temperature,
Artificial CO
2 emissions
areofrising
every University
year, and theamount of
Adjunct Professor,
Perelman
SchoolMedicine,of Pennsylvania
other factors.
CO2University
absorbed byoceans is rising accordingly, but Field discovered
Professor,of Szegedis rate. Field
that CO2 absorbed by terrestrial vegetation fluctuates wildly from year
ogen content
2 was absorbed by land vegetation in ayear. It wasthought that COProf.toDrew
Weissman(USA)
contributedBorn:tostable way, butthat turned
not to be the case. His estimation showed(Age:out62)
September7, 1959
ertilizers. Professor
thatofany
CO2 not absorbed
on of
land
remains in theatmosphere,
and isMedicine,
University
Pennsylvania
Schoolof Medicine
ls essentialDirector
toPenn responsible
Institute forInnovation
thereby
forRNAthe riseof atmospheric CO2 concentration.
obal warming.
Through his research, Field has been able to show how much CO2
ng and closing
is absorbed by marine and terrestrial ecosystems as global warmings also released
continues unabated, and to show how many years it will take to reduce

atmospheric CO2 concentration if humanity is able to reduce its CO2, and with theTheemissions
and limitin
deforestationand other related changes in land userole of mRNA
protein synthesis
ange and flow
and land cover.
became a new
Field’s research began with the observation of a single leaf and

Vaccines are medicines that remind the immune system to attack proteinsdeveloped into a way to study global biospheric productivity using
particular
to specific pathogens in order to gain immunity (i.e., resistance) toow the rise in
2 emissions, contributing immensely to the study of climate change,
externalCO
pathogenssuch as viruses and bacteria.
plant growthandlayingthe humanscientificfoundation
for international
to
COVID-19
infects
cells
by attaching
to them usingdiscussions
spike proteinsroduced. That
implementthemeasuresneededtocombatglobalwarming.
(the red, club-shaped elements seen in Figure 1.) Previous coronavirus
hange throughresearch has shown that fragments of those spike proteins can act as antigens
and activate the immune system to produce antibodies.
Figure 3: Distribution of CO2 absorption in the global biosphere
The problem
with using spike proteins in vaccines is how to get them intoNP
the body. It is possible to administer them directly, as is done with convention60 but mRNA vaccines harness mRNA, which serves as a blueprint
al vaccines,
for cells to synthesize spike proteins, and which can be synthesized artificially30
before being administered.
ta, and were
Our bodies
Eq know which proteins to make by using our genetic blueprint orleaf. Gaining
DNA. The information on DNA needed for protein synthesis is copied over
se of complex－30
to the mRNA,
whereupon the ribosomes in the cells read that informatione it broadened
and beginsynthesizing protein. This biological function is used to effectively－60
estrial vegetaproduce spike proteins within the body.
SP

60°E
180
120°W
60°W
0
120°E
180
at NASA andLow
High
onal satellites
CO2 Absorption (NP=North Pole, Eq = Equator, SP = South Pole)getation – i.e.How the COVID-19 vaccine works

Field et al. (1998, Science)nd integratingWhat mechanisms do COVID-19 vaccines harness to prevent viral
he first global
infectionFigure
and reduce
symptom severity?
4: Artificial CO2 emissions and environmental CO2 absorption
ncluded bothFirst, vaccination allows the spike protein-coded mRNA to enter the

body. That mRNA uses the body’s protein synthesis ability to produce
spike
33
land useare recognized as coming from outside of the
8 proteinsproteins. Since thesefossil fueluse
body, also known as “non-self” proteins, theland
immunesystem is activated22

other emissions

sinks

CO2 ﬂux(PgC/y)esistance Figure 1: The role4 of mRNA in protein synthesis
how easily
fossil fuel combustion
2
ater vapor
Virus genetic
gh theSpike protein
informationa leaf. By
atmosphere2(blueprint)
ng Field’s
COVID-19or photosyn4
ecame
land
estimate the
6Synthesized
mRNA ocean
atmosphere
2 and waterland
8
ween plants
Oceanmosphere.
Resulting protein is folded into the
1960
1970
spike protein

Ribosome

1980
1990
time (y)Paving the way to mRNA drugs with pseudouridine
The reason why mRNA had not been used in pharmaceutical products was
because it degrades quickly in vivo and, particularly when administered fromoutside the body, it is recognized as abnormal by the body thereby triggering
an inflammatory immune response. As a result, cells administered with mRNA
were dying before they could produce the amount of protein needed to acquire
immunity, and vaccines were causing fevers and other issues in recipients.
Professors Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman began collaborating in 1998
when they were both at the Perelman School of Medicine at the Universityof Pennsylvania in the hopes of conducting research into the potential of
harnessing mRNA in drug creation. In 2005, they discovered that they could
look at mRNA as a single substance, and that they could replace its constituent
uridine with a modified version called pseudouridine, thereby suppressing any
undesired immune response (see Fig. 3).
At the time, it was known that immune response can be caused whenmRNA introduced from outside the body binds to Toll-like receptors on thecell membrane, but it was not yet known that this binding occurs by way of
uridine. After repeated experimentation, Karikó and Weissman learned thatmRNA with pseudouridine does not bind to those receptors.

After years of mRNA research and related technologicaldevelopment, a vaccine is born
The mRNA vaccine may seem to have appeared all of a sudden, but inreality, mRNA first began to be considered for use in medical applications
more than 30 years ago. Research has continued since then, even though it
did not lead to development of any drugs. It wasn’t until 2020 and the urgent
need presented by the COVID-19 pandemic arrived that a practical mRNA
vaccine was successfully made.
Bolstering the seemingly short-term development of the mRNA vaccine
was the accumulated wisdom of the entire body of molecular biology

Figure 2：How the COVID-19 vaccine works

1111mRNA is placed in tiny,
specially-made capsule, andadministered as an injection

CO2 ﬂux(PgCO2/y)sources6

to produce antibodies (left image in Fig. 2). Once the immune system has
made a record of spike proteins, if COVID-19 virions enter the body, a rapid
immune response is induced (right image in Fig. 2).
Vaccines were conventionally made using attenuated versions of avirus or even the viral pathogens themselves, so it took time to guarantee a
vaccine’s safety, i.e., to guarantee that the vaccine would not cause illness,and to confirm its effectiveness in granting immunity to the disease being
targeted. On the other hand, the induced production of spike proteins in
the body involves no use of an actual virus, so there is no risk of infection,and the antigenic efficiency of spike proteins can be easily shown, so such
vaccines can be made highly effective.
This is the basic mechanism through which the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
works.

COVID-19
mRNA

22
33

Spike proteins

2000

Antibodies

Based on Canadell et al. (2007, PNAS)

Ribosomes produce proteins(inside the cell)

Illness cannot be caused
only by spike proteinsmRNA degrades
quickly without
accumulatingin the bodyto produce antibodies (left image in Fig. 2). Once the immune system has Eligib
made a record of spike proteins, if COVID-19 virions enter the body, a rapid■ Every November, the Field Selection Committee of The Japan Prize Foundation designates and announces two fields in which
immune response is induced (right image in Fig. 2).
Prize willresearch
be awarded
two years hence.
At the same time, the Foundation calls for over 15,000 nominators, strictly
Achievement : the
ForJapanpioneering
contributing
to theP
made tousing
attenuatedcomprisedof prominentscientists
and researchers from around Vaccines
the world wereinvitedconventionallyby the Foundation,
nominate
the versions of adevelopmentof mRNA
vaccines
Infor
virus
or
even
the
viral
pathogensthemselves,
so
it
took
time
to
guaranteeacandidates through the Web System. The deadline for nominations is the end of January of the following year.
vaccine’s safety, i.e., to guarantee that the vaccine would not cause illness, Back
Prof. Katalin
Karikó
USA)■ For
each field,(Hungary/a Selection
Subcommittee conducts a rigorous evaluation of the candidates’ academic achievements. The
The
andconducts
to confirm
its effectivenessin granting
immunity
to athe disease being
67)
Born: January 17,conclusions
1955 (Age:arethen forwarded to the Selection Committee, which
evaluationsof candidates’
achievements
from
innov
wider
perspective,
includingcontributions
totheprogressofscienceandtechnology,
andsignificant
advancement
towards
thetargeted.
On
the
other
hand,
the
inducedproductionof
spike
proteins
inSenior Vice President, BioNTech SE
cause of world peace and prosperity, and finally the selected candidates
areinvolves
recommended
theactual
Prize. virus, so there is no risk of infection,
been
the body
no use forof anAdjunct Professor, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Fur■ The recommendations are then sent to the Foundation’s Board of Directors,
andtheantigenic
efficiencyof
spike
proteinscanbeeasilyshown,sosuchwhich makes the final decision on the winners.
Professor, University of Szeged
wirel
vaccines
can
be
made
highlyeffective.
■ The nomination and selection process takes almost two years from the time that the fields are decided. Every January, thetheseis the basic
winners of that year’s
Ceremonyis heldmechanism
in April inthroughTokyo. which the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
Prof. Drew Weissman(USA)Japan Prize are announced. The Presentation ThisSuc
works.
Born: September2020
7, 1959 (Age: 62)
2021
2022
issuesProfessor of Medicine,July
Universityof Pennsylvania
School of Medicine- October
NovemberJanuary
NovemberJanuaryAprilsocie
Director Penn Institute for RNA Innovation

Nominationand Selection Process
Field of Materials
and Production

1

2

3

4

5Paving the way6to mRNA7drugs with
8 pseudouridine

１ Consider the eligible fields for the 2022 Japan Prize(Board of Directors)

5

Materials and Production

The role of mRNAin protein
synthesis
Biological
Production,
Ecology/Environment

Japan Prize （Selection Committee）
The reason why mRNA had not been used in pharmaceutical products wasMaterials and Production （Selection Subcommittee）
becauseit degrades
quickly in vivo（Selection
and, particularly
when administered from
Biological
Production,
Ecology/Environment
Subcommittee）

EligibThe
and screatioutside the body, it is recognized as abnormal by the body thereby triggeringLife
an inflammatory immune response. As a result, cells administered with mRNAof Directors)(Board of Directors)
Vaccines are medicinesthat remind the immune system to attack proteins (Board
were dying before they could produce the amount of protein needed to acquire
the Laureates of the 2022 Japan Prize
3 Invite the nominations
Backparticular to specificpathogens in order to gain immunity (i.e., resistance) to7 Announce
immunity, and vaccines were causing fevers and other issues in recipients.
The
8 The 2022
4 suchJapan
PrizePresentation
Ceremony
Closing
the nominations
external pathogens
as ofviruses
and bacteria.
Professors Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman began collaborating in 1998
centu
COVID-19 infects human cells by attaching to them using spike proteinswhen they were both at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University and t(the red, club-shaped
elements
FigureJapan
1.) Previous
Members
ofseenthein2022
Prizecoronavirus
Selection Committeeof Pennsylvania in the hopes of conducting research into the potential of micro
research has shown that fragments of those spike proteins can act as antigens
harnessing mRNA in drug creation. In 2005, they discovered that they could in con
Chairmansystem to produce antibodies.
Members
and activate the immune
look at mRNA as a single substance, and that they could replace its constituent novel
Makotospike
Asashima
Kyosuke Nagata
MarikoThe problem with using
proteins in vaccines is how to
get Hasegawa
them into
uridine with a modified
President version called pseudouridine, thereby suppressing any
President
analy
Deputy Director General of
University of Tsukuba
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI
Comprehensivethem
Researchdirectly,
Organization, as is done withthe body. It is possibleAdvancedtoadministerconventionundesired immuneHideyuki
response(see Fig. 3).
Wit
Research Professor, Teikyo University
Okano
Hiroto Ishida
Academic
Advisor, Japan
Society for
the Promotionof Scienceserves
Director
al vaccines, but mRNA
vaccines
harnessmRNA,
which
as a blueprint
At the time, itProfessor
was known that immune response can be caused when treatm
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
Keio University School of Medicine
The Japan Prize Foundation
for cells to synthesize spike proteins, and which can be synthesized
artificially
Kazunori
KataokamRNA introducedTatsuya
fromOkubo
outside the body binds to Toll-like receptors on the Eligib
Deputy Chairman
Executive Vice President, Professor
Vice Chairperson, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion
before being administered.
SchoolEngineering,
Universityof Tokyo that this binding occurs by way of
Director General, Innovation Center of NanoMedicine(iCONM)cell membrane,
butitofwasnotTheyetknown
The
Yoichiro Matsumoto
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
Our bodies know which
to make by using our genetic
blueprintorProfessor proteinsEmeritus
uridine. After repeatedexperimentation, Karikó and Weissman learned that elucid
Hiroto Yasuura
MasayukiMatsushita
The University of Tokyo
Director
General,Fukuoka
Asian
Urban
ResearchCenterDNA. The information on DNA needed for protein synthesisDirector
copiedoverProfessor Emeritus, Kyushu
mRNA with pseudouridine
doesUniversity
not bind to those receptors.
Theis
Japan
Prize Foundation
functito the mRNA, whereupon the ribosomes in the cells read that information
Selection Subcommittee for the “Materials and Production” field
and begin synthesizing
protein. This biological function is used
to effectively
ChairmanMembers
produce spike proteinsKazunori
withinKataoka
the body.
Field
Nobuharu Iwasawa
Kazunari Akiyoshi
2

Determine the eligible fields for the 2022 Japan Prize

Vice Chairperson, Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion
Director General, Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM)
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo

6

Selecting the Laureates of the 2022 Japan Prize

After years ofProfessor
mRNA research and related technological
School of Science, Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Institute of Technology
development,Noboru
a vaccine
Kikuchi is born

Professor
Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

Katsuhiko Ariga

Principal Investigator
WPI International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics
National Institute for Materials Science

How the COVID-19
vaccine works
Deputy Chairman

Ch

President, Genesis Research Institute, Inc.
Managing Director
Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute

The mRNA vaccine
Yasuhiro may
Koike seem to have appeared all of a sudden, but inDistinguished Professor
reality,
mRNA
first
began
to be considered for use in medical applications
Keio University
Director General, Professor
What mechanismsInstitute
do ofCOVID-19
harness toJianprevent
Ping Gongviral
Kazue
Kurihara
Industrial Science, Thevaccines
University of Tokyo
more than 30 years
ago.
Research has continued since then, even though it
Professor
Professor, New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University
Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido
University
Professor Emeritus, Tohoku
University
infection and reduce symptom severity?
did
not lead to developmentof anydrugs. It wasn’t until 2020 and the urgent
Yuichi Ikuhara
Tamio Oguchi
First, vaccination allows the spike protein-coded mRNAto enter theneed presented bySpecially
the Appointed
COVID-19
pandemic arrived that a practical mRNA
Professor
Professor
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University
body. That mRNA uses the body’s protein synthesis ability toGraduate
producespike
vaccine was successfully
made.
Koji Ishibashi
Hideyuki Yasuda
proteins. Since these proteins are recognized as coming fromChiefoutsideoftheScientist
Professor
Bolsteringtheseemingly
short-term development of the mRNA vaccine
Cluster for Pioneering Research, RIKEN
Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
body, also known as “non-self” proteins, the immune system is activated
was the accumulated wisdom of the entire body of molecular biology
Atsushi Fukuoka

Toru Okabe

Professor
Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University

Vic

Selection Subcommittee for the “Biological Production, Ecology/Environment” field

Figure 1: The roleChairmanof mRNA in protein synthesis

Members

Mariko Hasegawa

President
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI

Virus genetic
information(blueprint)

Deputy Chairman

Spike protein
COVID-19

Taikan Oki

Professor
Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Synthesized mRNA

Figure 2：How the COVID-19 vaccine works

Norichika Kanie

Eiiti Kasuya

Associate Professor
Faculty of Science, Kyushu University

Shin-ichi Uye

Masakado Kawata

Professor
Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Special Appointment Professor
Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University

Mayuko Nakamaru

Associate Professor
Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University

Tohru Nakashizuka

Yasuhiro Yoshikawa

mRNA

President, Forest Research and Management Organization
Director General, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute

Toru Shimada

Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science

Specialist

Appointed Professor, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Project Professor, Keio University
Professor
Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University

Kiwamu Minamisawa

Specially-appointed Professor

Spike proteins Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Antibodies

Ribosome

Ribosomes produce proteins(inside the cell)

Yukio Yasui

COVID-19

Associate Professor
School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Sakae Shibusawa

Resulting protein is folded into the
spike protein

Shinichi Shogenji

Professor
mRNA is placed Dean,in tiny,
Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Fukushima University
specially-made capsule,andToshio Takeuchi
Emeritus, Former President
administered as Professor
an injection
Tokyo
University of Marine Science and Technology

Professor
Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University

Illness cannot be caused
only by spike proteins

Hirokazu Toju

Associate Professor
Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University

mRNA degrades(alphabetical order, titles as of January, 2022)
quickly without
accumulatingin the body

Sched

The e
These
Every

Area

to produce antibodies (left image in Fig. 2). Once the immune system has
made a record of spike proteins, if COVID-19 virions enter the body, a rapid
immune response is induced (right image in Fig. 2).
Achievement : For
pioneeringresearch contributing to theAreasof
Vaccines were conventionally made using attenuated versions of adevelopmentof mRNA
vaccines Information, and Communication
Physics,
Chemistry,
Electronics,
virus or even the viral pathogens themselves, so it took time to guarantee a
Informatics, and Engineering
vaccine’s safety, i.e., to guarantee that the vaccine would not cause illness,
Prof. Katalin Karikó (Hungary/ USA)
Backgroundand(Age:
Rationale:
and to confirm its effectiveness in granting immunity to the disease being
67)
Born: January
17, 1955
The widespread adoption of IoT is producing vast amounts of data which targeted.
fuel AI, suchlearning,
substantial
advances. As
result,On asthedeep
otherhand, with
the induced
productionof aspike
proteins in
Senior Vice President,
BioNTech SE
innovative systems have been created in a variety of fields, and the revitalizationof economic
evolutionof soacademic
the body
involvesactivities
no use andof antheactual
virus,
there isstudies
no riskhaveof infection,
Adjunct Professor, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
been brought about.
and the antigenic efficiency of spike proteins can be easily shown, so such
Professor, Universityof Szeged
Further societal,
economic and academic advancements are envisaged through the development of fundamental technologies, such as optical andvaccines can be made highly effective.
wireless networks, information security, semiconductor devices, robotics, and quantum computers, and the innovative systems capable of integratingThis is the basic mechanism through which the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
Prof. Drew
Weissman(USA)
these fundamental technologies.
works.
Born: September
7, 1959 (Age:Such technologies
could62)
solve many of societal challenges that human society faces, including climate change, food problems, energy issues, healthProfessor of
Medicine,
Universityof Pennsylvaniaof Medicine
issues,educational
problems,
and more. TheseSchool
technologies
are highly expected to contribute to attaining safer, more secure, and more sustainable
Director Penn
Institute for RNA Innovationsocieties.

Field of Materials and Production

Eligible Fields for the 2023 Japan Prize

Paving the way to mRNA drugs with pseudouridine
Eligible Achievements:
The 2023 Japan prize in the field of Electronics, Information, and Communication rewards significant breakthroughs in fundamental technologies
and systems which have contributed to creating safer and sustainable society,The
increased
to naturaldiseases, andreason resilience
why mRNA
had notdisasters/infectious
been used in pharmaceuticalproducts wascreation of new industries. Novel fundamental technologies that will contributetothefuturedevelopmentofsociety
will
also
be
eligible.
because it degrades quickly in vivo and, particularly when administered from

The role of mRNA in protein synthesis

outside the body, it is recognized as abnormal by the body thereby triggering
an inflammatory immune response. As a result, cells administered with mRNA
Life Scienceswere dying before they could produce the amount of protein needed to acquireparticular to specific pathogens in order to gain immunity (i.e., resistance) toimmunity, and vaccines were causing fevers and other issues in recipients.
Background and Rationale:
external pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
Professors
KatalinKarikóofand
Drew organisms.
Weissman Since
beganthecollaborating
The life sciences seek to better comprehend the complex and subtle mechanisms
underlying
the activity
all living
mid-20th in 1998
COVID-19 infects human cells by attaching to them using spike proteins
when
they andwere
bothat the high-speed
Perelman analysis
School ofMedicineat the University
century, researchers in this field have made great strides by analyzing the functionof genes
cells.
Throughof genetic
information(the red, club-shaped
elements
seeninFigure1.)Previous
coronavirusofPennsylvania
in
the
hopes
of
conducting
research
into
the thepotential ofand targeted genetic engineering in a variety of organisms and individual humans, and through improved imaging technologies to visualize
research hasmicrostructure
shown that fragments
those thespike
act as antigens
harnessing
mRNA
drug
In 2005,
they discoveredof cells andoftissues,
lifeproteinssciences canare pioneering
new approaches
to improving
ourinlives
andcreation.
maintaining
our health.
Playing a keythat
rolethey could
and activateinthe
immunethesystemproduce antibodies.
look built
at mRNA
as decades
a singlecontributed
substance, toandthethat
they could
replace
its constituent
controlling
globaltoCOVID-19
pandemic crisis, basic life-science knowledge
up overastonishing
speed
at which
The problem
using
spike
proteinsThein vaccines
is how
into
uridinewiththrougha modified
versioncalled technologies,
pseudouridine,
therebysuppressing any
novel withvaccinesweredeveloped.
life sciences
seek toan geteverthem
deeperunderstandingof lifeever moreadvancedsuch
as single-cellthe body. Itanalysis,
is possible
administerthem directly,
is done withconventionandtonewlines of enquiry
into howas
epigenetics
controls
gene expression.undesired immune response (see Fig. 3).
al vaccines, but
vaccines
harness mRNA,which
a blueprint of biologicalWithmRNAdue regard
for bioethics,
the search
for aserves
deeperasunderstanding
will,known
we hope,newmethodscanof medical
At thephenomenatime, it was
thatgenerate
immuneresponse
be caused whenfor cells to synthesize
spike soundproteins,
and whichsynthesized
artificiallytreatment, inform
judgment
neededcan
to beensurehumanity's
sustainable development,
and contributeto people'smRNA introduced
fromoutsidewell-being.
the body binds to Toll-like receptors on the
before beingEligible
administered.
cell membrane, but it was not yet known that this binding occurs by way ofAchievements :Our bodiesThe
know
which
proteins
to
make
by
using
our
genetic
blueprintoruridine.toAfter
repeated
andphenomena
Weissmanandlearned that2023 Japan Prize in the field of Life Sciences rewards significant contributions
societythroughexperimentation,
discoveries of newKarikó
biologicalDNA. The elucidation
information
DNA needed
formechanisms
protein synthesis
is majorcopiedadvances
over in scientific
mRNAtechnology
with pseudouridine
does notdeeper
bind understanding
to those receptors.
of onbiologicalregulatory
as well asthat make possibleof biologicalto the mRNA,
whereupon the ribosomes in the cells read that information
functions.
and begin synthesizing protein. This biological function is used to effectively
produce spike proteins within the body.
Areas of
Life Science, Agriculture,
Vaccines are medicinesthat remind the immune system to attack proteins
and Medicine

Fields Selection Committee for the 2023 Japan Prize After years of mRNA research and related technologicaldevelopment, a vaccine is born

ChairmanMembers

How the COVID-19
vaccine works
Michiharu Nakamura

Tomoko M. Nakanishi

Yozo Fujino

The mRNA vaccine may seemhave
appeared all of a sudden, but in
President,toHoshi
University
Emeritus / Project Professor, The University of Tokyo
reality, mRNA first began to Professor
be considered
forEnergy
useCommission
in medical applications
Commissioner,
Japan Atomic
What mechanisms do COVID-19 vaccines harness to prevent viral
Ken Furuya more than 30 years ago. Research
Yuichi has
Sugiyama
continued since then, even though it
Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering
Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Chairman
infection and Vice
reducesymptom severity?
any drugs.
It wasn’t
until 2020 and the urgent
Soka University did not lead to development ofSciences,
Josai International
University
The University of Tokyo
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
Kazuhito
HashimotoFirst, vaccination
allowsthe spike protein-coded mRNA to enter Professor
the Emeritus,need
presented by the COVID-19
Honorarypandemic
Scientist, Riken arrived that a practical mRNA
President
Masaru Kitsuregawa
body. That mRNA
uses
theforbody’s
protein synthesis ability to produce spike
National
Institute
Materials Sciencewassuccessfully made.
Director General, vaccine
National Instituteof Informatics
Mariko Takahashi
University of Tokyo
Journalist
proteins. Since these proteins are recognized as coming from outside ofUniversity
the Professor, The
Bolstering
the seemingly short-term
development of the mRNA vaccine
Former The Science Coordinator, The Asahi Shimbun
Kohei Miyazono
Kazuo Kyuma
body, also knownDistinguishedas “non-self”
proteins,
theimmunesystemisactivatedwastheaccumulated
wisdomof theYamamoto
entire body of molecular biology
University Professor,
President, National Agriculture and Food Research
Masayuki
President, Josai University
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
Professor Emeritus, Yokohama National University

Counselor to the President
Japan Science and Technology Agency
Director, The Japan Prize Foundation

Professor, Department of Molecular Pathology
Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo

Figure 1: The role of mRNA in protein synthesis

Organization

Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo

FigureEiichi
2：Nakamura
How the COVID-19 vaccine worksProfessor Emeritus, National Institute for Basic Biology
University Professor, Department of Chemistry,
Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

Virus genetic

Schedule(2023-2025)
information

mRNA is placed in tiny,
specially-made capsule, and(alphabetical order, titles as of November, 2021)
administered as an injection

Spike protein(blueprint)Theeligible fields for theJapan Prize (2023 to 2025) have been decided for the two research areas, respectively.
COVID-19
COVID-19
These fields rotate every year in a three year cycle.
mRNA
Every year the Fields Selection Committee announces the eligible field for the next three years.
Synthesized mRNA
Areas of Physics, Chemistry, Informatics, and Engineering
Areas of Life Science, Agriculture, and Medicine
Year

Eligible Fields

Resulting protein is folded into the2023
Electronics, Information, and Communication
spike protein

2024
Ribosome
2025

Resources, Energy, Environment, and Social Infrastructure
Materials and Production

Ribosomes produce proteins(inside the cell)Year
Eligible Fields
Spike proteins
2023
Life Science
Antibodies
2024
Medical Science and Medicinal Science2025
Biologicaldegrades
Production, Ecology/ Environment
mRNA

Illness cannot be caused
only by spike proteins

quickly without
accumulatingin the body