Customized mRNA in Personalized Medicine:Explainer
What is mRNA and How Does It Work?
mRNA Basics: mRNA (messenger RNA) acts as a set of instructions within your cells, guiding the production of proteins necessary for bodily functions.
DNA and mRNA Relationship: DNA is like a recipe book; when a protein is needed, a recipe (gene) from this book is copied into mRNA, which then directs the protein's creation.
Why Are mRNAs Great for Medicine?
Flexibility: Scientists can easily modify mRNA sequences to create specific proteins.
Scalability: Producing mRNA treatments is efficient as the method is consistent across different mRNAs.
Safety: Cells naturally degrade mRNAs, allowing for controlled dosing without longterm risks.
mRNA Vaccines: The COVID19 Example
Working Mechanism: COVID19 mRNA vaccines introduce a harmless piece of the virus (spike protein instructions) to the body, triggering an immune response.
Adaptability: These vaccines can be quickly updated for new virus variants, showcasing mRNA's flexibility.
mRNA in Cancer Treatment
Personalized Approach: Customized mRNA cancer vaccines can be developed based on a patient's tumor genetics, teaching the immune system to target cancer cells.
Ongoing Research: Clinical trials are exploring mRNA vaccines for various cancers, including melanoma and pancreatic cancer.
Future of mRNA Medicine
Treating Various Diseases: Beyond vaccines, mRNA has potential in treating heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and genetic conditions.
Promising Examples: mRNA therapies are being explored for enhancing blood vessel formation and treating metabolic disorders like propionic acidaemia.
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