The rapid development of vaccines that harness the power of messenger RNA (or mRNA) has been a bright spotin this COVID-19 pandemic. Although mRNA vaccines may seem new, researchers have developed the technology for many decades. For example, Moderna’s and Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccines have shown the enormous potential of mRNA therapies to treat various diseases.

Lior Zangi, from the Icahn school of medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, NY, USA, says that “vaccines are only the tip of the iceberg regarding mRNA’s capabilities. We are only at the beginning of this technology, but I believe it will be disruptive in gene therapy and drug discovery”.

What is mRNA?

The double-helix DNA is known to store genetic information. It is the messenger RNA (or mRNA) produced from DNA through a known transcription process. This contains instructions to make proteins and key mRNA building blocks for all living matter. In the 1960s, this natural process was first discovered. 

Scientists have worked tirelessly over the past 20 years to convert this natural phenomenon into a human-made platform and make it safe, stable, and effective enough for humans. Now, we have a method to inject nanoparticles containing mRNA constructs that instruct cells to make the proteins we want. 

This is similar to gene therapy. Gene therapy is about changing our hardware (DNA), but mRNA is more like changing our software (RNA). mRNA drugs can only cause temporary changes in the DNA of our cells. They are not likely to cause permanent mutations or other permanent changes. This is why they keep our original hardware safe.

mRNA Is a Game-Changer for Vaccines. Here’s Why

There are many reasons that the new COVID-19 vaccinations are so exciting. They are highly effective and safe. They were created in record time.

There’s another reason these vaccines are so exciting: this is the first time that vaccines have been made using messenger RNA (mRNA), which is revolutionizing how vaccines are created.

How mRNA Vaccines Differ from Traditional Vaccines

First, you must understand how mRNA vaccines work before seeing how revolutionary they are. Historically, vaccines were created from a weaker virus strain or a deadly virus with most of its genetic code intact. mRNA vaccines are different. They are made from a minimal amount of virus’s mRNA or a molecule with instructions for making a specific protein.

“Our bodies already produce messenger RNA–that is how we make proteins–so the vaccines are just a small piece of external mRNA,” states Allison Weinmann. She is an infectious disease specialist at Henry Ford Health. The vaccines cause the body to make COVID-19 spike proteins. Our body recognizes the spike protein as something it shouldn’t have and makes proteins (or antibodies) to counter it. However, messenger RNA cannot reach the nucleus cells that contain human DNA. It also disintegrates quickly once the message has been read.

Why mRNA Technology Is So Exciting

These COVID-19 vaccines are a promising step in the direction of future vaccines. Here are some reasons:

1. People with compromised immune systems are safe when mRNA vaccines have been administered. Dr. Weinmann says that vaccines that contain live, weak viruses should not be given to patients with compromised immune systems as they may contract the virus. But patients with compromised immune systems, such as transplant patients, cancer patients, and those with autoimmune disorders, can still get mRNA vaccines. The mRNA vaccines contain only one virus-building block, so it is impossible to contract the virus through the vaccine. While we don’t yet know the effectiveness of these vaccines, we know that there should be any safety concerns.
2. mRNA vaccines are more easily created than other vaccines. You only need to target a small portion of the virus with mRNA vaccines. This makes them easier to adapt than traditional vaccines. Dr. Weinmann says that there is talk of making the flu vaccine an mRNA vaccine. Scientists have to be ready to adapt to the flu season. It can take several months to create a new vaccine. However, if the flu vaccine is converted to an mRNA vaccine, it may be possible to quickly change its genetic code into a new vaccine.
3. mRNA technology is not limited to vaccines. Although mRNA technology has just been developed for vaccines, it is still a relatively new technology used in cancer immunotherapy treatments. In immunotherapy, the mRNA targets a particular part of the tumor, and your body produces antibodies to attack the cancer cells. Dr. Weinmann says that “mRNA functions in immunotherapy in the same way as vaccines: you identify the most important target and then pursue it.”

For decades, scientists have been studying mRNA technology. The technology could also be used to fight other diseases down the line. But, as they say, this is only the beginning.