Messenger RNA (m-RNA) is a crucial component of central dogma that takes part in the process of transcription. It is a messenger that signals to create proteins, antigens, and hormones that actively participate in the macrocosm of life processes. In the early 1990s, scientists came out with life-saving vaccines that used mRNA, but since the pandemic, the mRNA vaccines have come to the light as a new solution to create immunity against SARS Cov-2 virus.
mRNA Vaccines are a new type of vaccine that has gained significant attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike traditional vaccines that introduce weakened or inactivated viruses or pieces of viruses to stimulate the immune system, mRNA vaccines introduce a small fragment of messenger RNA (mRNA) into cells. This mRNA is subsequently used by the cells to make a protein that results in an immunological response against the virus. Pfizer and Moderna came with the first mRNA vaccines authorized for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies to combat the pandemic. Both organizations brought in total revenue of $ 56 Billion in the last financial year.
The sheer quick development of the vaccines using mRNA as a medium showed how revolutionary the technology was. Conventional vaccines take years to develop, formulate vaccines and get their clinical trials done. mRNA Vaccines can be formulated within a few weeks of identification of specific fragments of genes using Genetic Sequencing that is responsible for forming proteins unique to the virus strand.
Another advantage of mRNA vaccines is that they do not contain any live virus, so there is minimal risk of causing extreme cases of Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI) in the person receiving the vaccine. As the mRNA can be designed to code for any protein, not just viral proteins. Due to these reasons, mRNA vaccines have immense potential to make vaccines for diseases like cancer, Zika virus, etc. Furthermore, mRNA vaccines do not contain any preservatives or adjuvants, which are substances added to vaccines to enhance their effectiveness.
Despite their numerous advantages, mRNA vaccines also have some limitations. One of the main challenges is the need for ultra-cold storage logistics and transportation. The current mRNA vaccine needs to be stored at about -70°C (-94°F), which requires special freezers, logistics, and transportation methods. This can be a barrier to vaccine distribution in areas with limited supply chains and infrastructure.
There are also concerns about the long-term safety of mRNA vaccines. Because they are a new type of vaccine, there are limited long-term safety data available. However, the short-term safety data from the COVID-19 vaccines has been very reassuring, with only minor side effects reported in most cases. Overall, mRNA vaccines represent a new era in vaccinology with great promise for the future of public health.
Reference:
1. Norbert Pardi, Vaccines 2021, mRNA innovates the Vaccine Field (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9050486
2. Pardi, N., Hogan, M., Porter, F. et al. mRNA vaccines — a new era in vaccinology. Nat Rev Drug Discov 17, 261–279 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2017.243
By Nikhil Mane
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