How and why are mRNAs modified for the vaccines?
Given that mRNAs are naturally unstable, the manufacturers modify them for the vaccines. For instance, they modify individual components or the ends of the mRNAs. This is done for various reasons: Certain modifications increase the halflife of the mRNA. This is important to ensure that the mRNA can continue to supply host cells with the instructions necessary to produce sufficient numbers of spike proteins.
Another reason is that unmodified mRNA can also trigger a rapid, but unhelpful, short-lived and non-specific immune response. In contrast, the modified mRNA stimulate the immune system in a targeted manner that enables long-lasting protection against the coronavirus. Other modifications help the cells to produce greater amounts of protein.
- What is an mRNA and what is its function?
- How do mRNA vaccines work?
- Which mRNA vaccines are approved or under development in Switzerland?
- Does the mRNA vaccine affect our genetic material?
- What do the approved mRNA vaccines contain?
- What side effects are known and expected for the approved mRNA vaccines?
- How effective are the approved mRNA vaccines?
- How and why are mRNAs modified for the vaccines?
- Is the technology behind the mRNA vaccines new?
- Why were mRNA vaccines earlier available than conventional vaccines?