Did you know that Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the template in organisms for constructing proteins and subsequently, using our own biological processes to combat diseases? (Pfizer). mRNA is a type of single-stranded nucleic acid that has a phosphate group, a ribose sugar, and nucleotide bases including adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil connected together through hydrogen bonding. mRNA contains many functions that operate much to the advantage of the medical issues that humans face today. It contains proteins called polypeptides that combat sclerosis and diabetes and are utilized for muscle growth, muscle repair, and strengthening skin, one of the many organs in humans that prevent germs and harmful bacteria from entering into our systems. Messenger RNA, over time, has evolved to produce longer and longer polypeptides.
One of the key functions of mRNA is how it addresses viruses that enter the human system. To allow mRNA to combat viruses, scientists developed mRNA vaccines. In these vaccines, a segment of mRNA corresponds to a viral protein, and from there, based on the shape of that viral protein, the mRNA synthesizes antigens, macrophages, and Killer T cells, which denature the viral protein. mRNA vaccines are 76% effective and precise in hindering viruses such as COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses. For example, the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine, BNT162b2, has shown 95% efficacy in combating symptomatic COVID-19 seven or more days after a patient has received their second vaccine dosage (Puranik et al., National Library of Medicine). The viruses that mRNA vaccines have been able to nearly, but not perfectly, treat include the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus, which has targeted and infected 190 million people worldwide and has led to four million deaths.
Thus, although mRNA vaccines are not yet able to fully combat and prevent death from viruses, the effectiveness of mRNA will not decrease, nor will there ever be a virus that can withstand the various antibodies produced in the immune system that prevent human beings from becoming ill due to that pathogenic bacteria. Many different measures are being taken today to further enhance the stability of mRNA vaccines, such as sequence optimization and modification to improve protein translation as well as innate and adaptive immunity. Therefore, mRNA is humanity’s future for protection against viruses as most mRNA vaccines have statistically shown to be highly effective at hindering viruses through assembling various antigens which break down the virus.
