What are mRNA vaccinations?
When thinking about vaccines, the first thing that comes to mind is often the attenuated (‘weakened’) version of the pathogen that’s injected into the body to simulate an immune response (See 'Vaccination Types' to learn more).
But the realm of vaccination is rapidly expanding due to new innovations. Let’s examine perhaps the most famous vaccine at the moment, the mRNA COVID vaccine (though there exist several other kinds of COVID vaccines, this article will solely focus on mRNA vaccination).
Before we begin discussing said vaccination, it’s time to return to the biology basics.
What is mRNA?
mRNA is a shortened form that stands for messenger ribonucleic acid (think DNA without the deoxy-). In essence, mRNA is an intermediary necessary for the transformation of DNA into proteins.
In the process of transcription, DNA in a cell’s nucleus is transcribed into mRNA--that is, the double-stranded genetic material is copied into a complementary, single strand. That strand of mRNA, in the case of humans, is processed and eventually used to help translate the genetic information into proteins that carry out bodily fuctions. The mRNA itself, however, is broken down by other proteins.
So how does mRNA fit into the picture of vaccination?
mRNA vaccines like for the COVID-19 vaccine function by injecting pieces of mRNA from the membrane. This allows the body’s cells to produce those viral proteins from the mRNA, and subsequently the body’s immune system to simulate its response to those foreign invaders just as an attenuated vaccine would. Any symptoms resulting from vaccination are likely due to the natural process of the body building its immunity and fighting off the viral proteins.
Thus, the mRNA vaccine’s main benefits rely on the fact that they do not inject the actual, live virus into patients, and thus those who receive the vaccine will not become infected with the virus by the vaccine. These vaccines also may be rapidly developed at a significantly lower cost.
mRNA vaccine research has also been conducted for many other diseases, including the flu, Zika, and rabies! Even cancer research in which the mRNA pieces are utilized to teach the immune system to target cancerous cells have been under investigations. The future of mRNA and vaccination writ large is bright!
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