In the year 2020, the world fell on its knees to a strain of unidentified virus, the coronavirus. The fast-spreading COVID-19 took countless lives. Our scientists turned to tables and started spending days and nights finding the right solution to hold the spread of virus. After countless tests and experiments, the mRNA technology came to the world with the discovery of mRNA vaccines against the coronavirus.
What is mRNA Technology?
The mRNA stands for messenger Ribonucleic acid. These single-stranded RNAs carry the DNA information required to make proteins. They carry the genetic information from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, the place where the proteins are made. mRNA vaccine was derived with the help of this mRNA technology.
mRNA Technology and Its Endless Possibilities
The single-stranded molecule of mRNA has the special ability to deliver a specified set of information and instructions to your cells. The cells make protein used by certain viruses with help of the instructions delivered inducing the immunity required in the cell to fight off a viral attack. Today, we are in the process of engineering this technology to find out its potential to use it against the deadliest diseases like Ebola, SARS, Dengue and AIDS. Moderna, the leading US Pharma Company has a lot of prospective vaccines in its pipeline including a vaccine for the deadly Nipah.
A panacea for complex diseases
mRNA is a modular technology and this is one of the greatest advantages of mRNA. This means that the mRNA can be easily adjusted or tweaked to copy most kinds of proteins without many changes in its chemical nature. A cancer-free world has been one of the biggest dreams of humankind. Two helpful solutions could be engineered to help with cancer treatment. The first one is the possibility to develop an anti-cancer vaccine that would attack the cells carrying the cancer antigens. The second way is to personalize mutations exclusively by analyzing the profile of the patient making the multi-mutation vaccines a possible reality. The technology has a long journey to go and gather more experience and knowledge apart from the insights from the pandemic.
Let the Time Tell Us!
Today, mRNA technology has surpassed the pandemic and is beyond Covid-19. Preclinical trials have been completed for the study of dosages and their ranges. With various research, experiments and ongoing gene replacement studies, it is estimated that the demand for RNA will take a huge hike soon. mRNA vaccine Phase l trials for HIV have already begun by Moderna partnering with International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). This technology had been old, dusted and unused until the pandemic. In 2020, mRNA took a turn and got an entire makeover opening a door to endless possibilities. This technology has a long way to go and explore better insights than the pandemic.
Will the future of medicine and healthcare get to the levels we have only dreamt of with this innovation? Will the seeds of possibilities and hope for humankind bloom bright or fade away into the dark? Hopefully, time will tell us.
