The 2023 Nobel laureates in medicine, Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman, have garnered recognition for their revolutionary advancements in the realm of mRNA technology. Their research has revolutionized our knowledge of how mRNA interacts with the immune system, which has sped up the creation of vaccines, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is mRNA?
- A single-stranded RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecule corresponding to one of a gene’s DNA strands is known as messenger RNA (mRNA).
- The gene’s mRNA is an RNA version that travels from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm, where proteins are produced.
- An organelle known as a ribosome travels along the mRNA during protein synthesis, scans its base sequence, and uses the genetic code to convert each codon—a triplet made up of three bases—into an amino acid.
What are mRNA vaccines?
- These vaccines work by utilizing messenger RNA molecules, which instruct cells within the body what kinds of proteins to produce.
- In this instance, the mRNA is programmed to instruct the cells to synthesize the spike protein of the Covid-19-causing coronavirus, SARS-CoV2.
- The coronavirus’s spike protein, which is visible as spikes on its surface, is what starts the infection process by enabling the virus to enter cells and then multiply.
- Once administered into the body, an mRNAbased coronavirus vaccine will direct the body’s cells to produce duplicates of the spike protein.
- It is anticipated that this will then cause the immune cells to produce antibodies in order to combat it.
- When and if the actual virus penetrates the human body, these antibodies will stay in the blood and combat it.
What are other types of vaccines?
(1) Vector vaccine:
- This kind of vaccination uses genetic material from the COVID-19 virus inserted into a viral vector, which is a modified form of another virus.
- Your cells receive genetic material from the COVID-19 virus through the viral vector, which instructs your cells to replicate the S protein.
- Your immune system reacts to the S proteins on your cells’ surfaces by producing antibodies and protective white blood cells.
- The antibodies will combat the COVID-19 virus if you subsequently contract it.
(2) Protein subunit vaccine:
- Only the portions of a virus that optimally stimulate your immune system are included in subunit vaccinations.
- The COVID-19 vaccine of this kind includes safe S proteins.
- Your immune system produces protective white blood cells and antibodies as soon as it detects the S proteins.
- The antibodies will combat the COVID-19 virus if you subsequently contract it.
