A new method for synthesizing messenger RNA

A team of synthetic biologists at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) recently discovered a way to increase the efficiency of protein production of synthetic mRNA by up to 10 times, meaning that with fewer mRNA doses, the effectiveness
of mRNA vaccines and drugs used to treat cancer, Covid-19 or other genetic diseases can be greatly improved.

Messenger RNA can be synthesized to direct our cells to make any kind of protein, such as antigens, enzymes, and hormones, which are necessary to fight infections and regulate bodily functions, so messenger RNA is arguably the preferred choice
for vaccines and treatments for many different diseases.
However, in order to produce sufficient amounts of protein in the body, messenger RNA drugs and vaccines often require high doses and repeated injections, so improving the effectiveness of messenger RNA – for example by increasing its protein production efficiency – is a hot topic for scientists because our immune systems can work
better with more specific antibodies.

Now, a research team led by Becki KUANG Yi, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has discovered a way
to both extend the lifespan and improve the efficiency of mRNA.
AFTER MODIFYING DIFFERENT MRNA TAIL SEQUENCES, KUANG'S TEAM EVENTUALLY FOUND THAT THE OPTIMIZED SEQUENCE PRODUCED 3 TO 10 TIMES MORE PROTEIN THAN THE UNOPTIMIZED TAIL SEQUENCE, WHICH IS COMMONLY USED TO SYNTHESIZE MNNA
ON HUMAN CELLS AND MICE.
The duration of protein production also doubled
.

This new technology will not only reduce the number and number of injections required for mRNA drugs and vaccines, but may also reduce the cost of
treatment.
It can also be used with other mRNA-enhancing techniques to synergistically promote protein production
.

Professor Kuang said: "Increasing protein production for synthesizing messenger RNA is generally beneficial
for all messenger RNA drugs and vaccines.
In collaboration with Sun Yat-sen University, our team is now exploring the use of optimized tails in animals for mRNA cancer vaccines
.
We also look forward to working with pharmaceutical companies to move this invention into the development pipeline of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines for the benefit of society
.
" ”

The findings were recently published online in the journal Molecular Therapy - Nucleic Acids
.

In recent years, messenger RNA drugs and vaccines have received a lot of attention due to their effectiveness in protecting us from the severe diseases of
certain infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, and their great potential in treating chronic diseases such as cancer.
According to an earlier study, the global market for mRNA therapeutics was $33.
99 billion last year and is expected to expand
further over the next decade.