The Unlikely Pioneer Behind mRNA Vaccines

<p>When she was at graduate school in the 1970s, Dr. Katalin Kariko learned about something that would become a career-defining obsession: mRNA.</p><p>She believed in the potential of the molecule, but for decades ran up against institutional roadblocks. Then, the coronavirus hit and her obsession would help shield millions from a once-in-a-century pandemic. </p><p>Today, a conversation with Dr. Kariko about her journey. </p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/gina-kolata?smid=pc-thedaily">Gina Kolata</a>, a reporter covering science and medicine for The New York Times. </p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/signup/NTTD?smid=pc-thedaily">Sign up here</a> to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>Collaborating with devoted colleagues, Dr. Kariko laid the groundwork for the mRNA vaccines<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/08/health/coronavirus-mrna-kariko.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> turning the tide of the pandemic</a>.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>