The forerunners and successful partnerships behind the BioNTech mRNA vaccine

J Appl Genet. 2023 Oct 20. doi: 10.1007/s13353-023-00793-5. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe discovery of nucleic acids stands as a paramount achievement in the history of scientific endeavors. By applying transformative advancements in the fields of chemistry and physics to biological systems, researchers unveiled the enigmatic nature of life. Notably, messenger RNA (mRNA) emerged as a crucial player in this profound revelation, serving as a transient intermediary for genetic information transfer between genes and proteins. Groundbreaking investigations carried out from 1944 to 1961 led to the initial identification of this pivotal molecule, captivating scientific interest for the past three decades. The field of mRNA research has witnessed a transformative shift owing to the development of cap analogs and nucleotide modifications. This revolutionary progress has fostered a new generation of potent therapeutics. Prior to the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, numerous scientists had already begun exploring the unique properties of mRNA. However, with the onset of the pandemic, mRNA catapulted into the limelight as a heroic agent, providing the foundation for highly effective vaccines that have played a crucial role in mitigating the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The successive generations of cap analogs have significantly enhanced the translation efficacy of mRNA, while the discovery of suitable purification, packaging, and deliver...
Source: J Appl Genet - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Source Type: research