Andrew Z. Fire

Andrew Z. Fire is an American biologist recognized for his groundbreaking work in genetics and molecular biology. In 1998, he co-discovered RNA interference (RNAi), a process by which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression, effectively silencing specific genes. This discovery has significant implications for understanding gene regulation and has opened new avenues for medical research and therapies, particularly in treating diseases like cancer and viral infections. For this work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2006, sharing the honor with Craig C. Mello. His contributions have greatly advanced our understanding of genetics.