Issue 16, 2024

Medical and molecular biophysical techniques as substantial tools in the era of mRNA-based vaccine technology

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the advancement of vaccine technology using mRNA delivery into the host cells. Consequently, mRNA-based vaccines have emerged as a practical approach against SARS-CoV-2 owing to their inherent properties, such as cost-effectiveness, rapid manufacturing, and preservation. These features are vital, especially in resource-constrained regions. Nevertheless, the design of mRNA-based vaccines is intricately intertwined with the refinement of biophysical technologies, thereby establishing their high potential. The preparation of mRNA-based vaccines involves a sequence of phases combining medical and molecular biophysical technologies. Furthermore, their efficiency depends on the capability to optimize their positive attributes, thus paving the way for their subsequent preclinical and clinical evaluations. Using biophysical techniques, the characterization of nucleic acids extends from their initial formulation to their cellular internalization abilities and encapsulation in biomolecule complexes, such as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), for designing mRNA-based LNPs. Furthermore, nanoparticles are subjected to a series of careful screening steps to assess their physical and chemical characteristics before achieving an optimum formulation suitable for preclinical and clinical studies. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental role of biophysical techniques in the complex development of mRNA-based vaccines and their role in the recent success during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graphical abstract: Medical and molecular biophysical techniques as substantial tools in the era of mRNA-based vaccine technology

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
24 abr 2024
Accepted
05 jul 2024
First published
17 jul 2024

Biomater. Sci., 2024,12, 4117-4135

Medical and molecular biophysical techniques as substantial tools in the era of mRNA-based vaccine technology

A. Hussain, M. Wang, D. Yu, J. Zhang, Q. A. Naseer, A. Ullah, J. Milon Essola and X. Zhang, Biomater. Sci., 2024, 12, 4117 DOI: 10.1039/D4BM00561A

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