Why mRNA Vaccines Were Insanely Difficult to Make (it took 50 years!)
In this interesting SciShow episode, the complexities behind the development of mRNA vaccines, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, are explored. Despite the rapid rollout of vaccines like those from Pfizer and Moderna at the end of 2020, the truth is that mRNA technology has been in the making for nearly fifty years.
The video elaborates on the historical context of vaccine development, highlighting that until the emergence of mRNA vaccines, conventional methods involved either live weakened viruses or inactivated viruses to evoke an immune response. This traditional route often required years of careful experimentation and development. For example, creating the measles vaccine took nearly a decade as scientists needed to cultivate the virus safely.
Starting in the 1990s, researchers began contemplating an innovative approach using messenger RNA (mRNA) to instruct cells to produce viral antigens. The potential for mRNA vaccines to expedite the vaccination process could revolutionize vaccine development, especially in the face of new infectious diseases. Instead of growing pathogens in labs, scientists could potentially upload genetic sequences directly to synthesize the desired proteins quickly.
However, there were significant hurdles to overcome. Originally, one of the major challenges was ensuring the mRNA could evade rapid degradation by enzymes in the human body. This led researchers to develop methods to stabilize mRNA, as its commonly modified types could easily be broken down before they could elicit an immune response.
The breakthrough came with the invention of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which encapsulate the mRNA and enable it to be injected safely into the body. LNPs have a positive charge, allowing them to fuse with negatively charged cell membranes, facilitating the transport of mRNA into the cells where it could trigger an immune response.
The video concludes by emphasizing that the success of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines represents years of cumulative research rather than an overnight success. Scientists had built on previous studies related to other coronaviruses like SARS and MERS. This collaborative effort in the scientific community has not only expedited the fight against COVID but has also set the stage for future mRNA vaccines targeting a wide array of diseases.
Overall, this informative discussion serves to demystify the vaccination process and promotes a deeper understanding of how modern science evolved to meet urgent public health challenges.
What are your thoughts on the development of mRNA vaccines? Did you learn something new from this video? Let's share our insights and discussions on this groundbreaking technology!