Fresh findings in the field of microRNA (miRNA) research, awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shed new light on the potential role of these molecules in breast milk and their possible significance for child development. MiRNAs are short RNA sequences that play a key role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA) and blocking its function. This discovery, which was initially made in model organisms, has far-reaching implications, including for humans.

miRNAs are abundant in human breast milk, and scientists such as Prof. Dr. Jan Postberg from the University of Witten/Herdecke are studying their functions and modes of action. The hypothesis that miRNAs in breast milk may play an essential role in the development of the infant’s immune system and microbiome is gaining momentum.

This research may explain why breast milk is often considered the best nutrition for newborns. It contains not only nutrients but also bioactive components that promote healthy development. The presence of miRNAs may enable epigenetic regulation that goes beyond simple nutrition.

In some cultures, children breastfed by the same woman, despite not being related by blood, are considered “milk siblings”. This practice underscores the deeply held belief that shared nutrition through breast milk has a shaping and bonding effect that goes beyond genetic relatedness.

The growing understanding of the role of miRNA in breast milk may one day lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to further improve the health and development of newborns. It is an exciting area of biomedical research that shows how ancient practices are gaining new recognition through modern science.