The Genetic Contribution to Vaccine Development: Insights from mRNA Technologies-An Updated Review.

Abstract

Background: Vaccination remains the most effective tool in preventing infectious diseases. mRNA vaccines represent a groundbreaking development in vaccine technology, offering several advantages over traditional vaccine types. These advantages include safety, scalability, and rapid production, addressing the key challenge of time delays in vaccine development during outbreaks. mRNA vaccines work by encoding the target antigen, stimulating both humoral and cellular immune responses without integrating into the host genome, providing a promising approach for future vaccine development.

Aim: This review aims to explore the genetic contributions to vaccine development, focusing on mRNA technologies and their evolution, particularly in the context of COVID-19. It examines the history of mRNA vaccine development, the types of RNA-based vaccines, their mechanisms, and the challenges in enhancing mRNA stability for better efficacy.

Methods: A thorough review of scientific literature was conducted to trace the development of mRNA vaccines, from early research in the 1980s to their application in modern viral pandemics. This work was carried out by a specialized team from the Jazan Health Cluster, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, demonstrating a commitment to advancing the understanding of this critical technology. Key findings in the areas of mRNA stability, immune responses, and delivery methods were discussed, alongside significant advances in enhancing vaccine effectiveness.

Results: Significant advancements have been made in the stability of mRNA and the efficiency of its delivery, especially with the modification of nucleotides and improvements in mRNA capping techniques. mRNA vaccines, such as those for COVID-19, have proven to be highly effective, with rapid production timelines and high immunogenicity. However, challenges remain in addressing the instability of mRNA and the need for better delivery systems.

Conclusion: mRNA vaccines have revolutionized vaccine development by offering a rapid, scalable, and flexible platform. While challenges in stability and delivery remain, ongoing research into improving these areas will make mRNA vaccines a cornerstone of future vaccine strategies, potentially combating a wide range of infectious diseases.