mRNA Vaccines: A New Era for Medicine
Classic Vaccines VS mRNA Vaccines
For decades, most vaccines worked by introducing a weakened or inactivated form of a virus, or a protein from the virus, into the body to trigger an immune response. mRNA vaccines use a radically different approach. Instead of introducing a part of the virus, they provide our cells with genetic instructions to manufacture the target viral protein themselves.
How Do mRNA Vaccines Work?
The operation of these vaccines is a three-step process that takes place at the cellular level.
The Injection of mRNA
The mRNA vaccine contains a small mRNA molecule enclosed in lipid nanoparticles. Once injected into the muscle, this envelope fuses with our cells, releasing the mRNA inside. This small string of genetic code is the instruction that tells the cell what to make.
The Production of the Target Protein
Our cells, upon reading this mRNA, begin to produce the viral protein, often the S-protein found on the surface of the virus. It is important to note that the mRNA never enters the cell's nucleus and does not modify our DNA. Once its task is complete, the mRNA naturally degrades and disappears, like a temporary instruction.
The Immune Response
The body's immune system recognizes this viral surface protein as foreign. It then memorizes it and produces antibodies and T-cells. This prepares the body to fight the real virus should it ever encounter it in the future, without ever having been exposed to the virus itself.
The Advantages of This Technology
mRNA vaccine technology has significant advantages. The manufacturing process is much faster than for traditional vaccines, which allows for a more effective response to pandemics and new viral strains. Furthermore, they are simpler to mass-produce, as they do not require virus cultures in eggs or bioreactors. Finally, since they do not use whole viruses, they are very safe for the body.
The Future of Medicine
mRNA vaccines are just the beginning. This technology is a platform that could be used for many other medical applications. Research is already underway to use them in the development of vaccines against other infectious diseases, but also for cancer treatments, autoimmune diseases, and even protein replacement therapies.