Guseltseva M.S. Review on the Book “Breaking Through: My Life in Science” by Katalin Karikó

Katalin Karikó is a Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine. She pioneered the modification of nucleoside bases, which became the foundation for mRNA vaccine development. In 2023, she published her book, “Breaking Through: My Life in Science”, an autobiography reflecting on her scientific journey and analyzing the type of thinking that leads to professional success in this field. 

Throughout her book, Karikó reflects on the essence of science, what it means to be a scientist, and how to make academic research more productive. She devoted her life to basic research, conducting experiments day by day, step by step, in various settings and laboratories. She emphasizes the importance for scientists of continuously reading the latest scientific literature, maintaining curiosity, staying informed about developments in adjacent fields, and pursuing their research goals with persistence and determination. 

Basic research does not always lead directly to applied developments. However, the COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated the practical potential of mRNA technology. Today, scientists are exploring the potential of mRNA for treating various cancers, cystic fibrosis, and rare metabolic disorders. Karikó predicts an explosion of new mRNA therapies and vaccines in the coming decade. 

The book conveys two key messages. First, Katalin Karikó highlights the need to distinguish between markers of prestige (academic titles, rankings, citation counts, statuses, etc.) and markers of quality science. Second, she encourages scientists to follow their inner convictions, strive to unlock their potential, and persist in their work despite failures and obstacles. 

The methodological strategy that enabled her breakthrough was interdisciplinary integration – combining the breadth of basic research with the precision of experimental studies. 

The conclusions drawn in the book underline the importance of upholding high standards of research activity and viewing the scientist’s life as one of dedication to science, both as a vocation and profession.

Key words: science, basic research, experiments, living and thinking like a scientist, mRNA, biotechnology, vaccine development

For citation: Guseltseva, M.S. (2025). Review on the Book “Breaking Through: My Life in Science” by Katalin Karikó. New Psychological Research, No. 2, 261–286. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2025_05_02_12

Acknowledgment

The article was prepared within a state task, project FNRE-2024-0016.