mRNA Vaccines: History, Development, and Potential
Date
April 2022
Location
Schewel 208
Description
Vaccination has been integral to the development of society, and many methods of vaccination have been developed. However, there is not a vaccine for every disease. Nucleic acid vaccines and therapeutics were in development for decades before the emergence of COVID-19. As research has progressed, mRNA emerged as a more effective method of vaccination and treatment. This research included the development of modified mRNA with pseudouridine and examined several methods of delivery into the body including raw injection, viral vectors, and lipid nanoparticles. Several mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics were in development before 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic provided the necessary funding and urgency to achieve approval from the Federal Drug Administration. There are many advantages to these vaccines, including quick and inexpensive production, induction of a robust immune response, and safety. Concerns with the mRNA vaccines include allergic reactions, instability, and inaccessibility. While not perfect, these vaccines have created opportunities for the development of more novel vaccines and therapeutics utilizing mRNA, including current gaps in vaccination, the treatment of inherited and autoimmune disorders, and even cancer. This research reviews the development of mRNA vaccines, how they have impacted the COVID-19 pandemic, and their potential developments.
Presentation Type
Presentation
mRNA Vaccines: History, Development, and Potential
Schewel 208
Vaccination has been integral to the development of society, and many methods of vaccination have been developed. However, there is not a vaccine for every disease. Nucleic acid vaccines and therapeutics were in development for decades before the emergence of COVID-19. As research has progressed, mRNA emerged as a more effective method of vaccination and treatment. This research included the development of modified mRNA with pseudouridine and examined several methods of delivery into the body including raw injection, viral vectors, and lipid nanoparticles. Several mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics were in development before 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic provided the necessary funding and urgency to achieve approval from the Federal Drug Administration. There are many advantages to these vaccines, including quick and inexpensive production, induction of a robust immune response, and safety. Concerns with the mRNA vaccines include allergic reactions, instability, and inaccessibility. While not perfect, these vaccines have created opportunities for the development of more novel vaccines and therapeutics utilizing mRNA, including current gaps in vaccination, the treatment of inherited and autoimmune disorders, and even cancer. This research reviews the development of mRNA vaccines, how they have impacted the COVID-19 pandemic, and their potential developments.