Delivering the Messenger: Engineering Nanoparticles for Advanced mRNA Therapies

Abstract

Messenger RNA (mRNA) has advanced to the forefront of innovative therapies in the past years. With the approval of COVID-19 vaccines, mRNA has demonstrated its potential in vaccinology. Nevertheless, multiple biomedical applications can benefit from its advantages over other genetic therapies. Unlike DNA therapies, mRNA exerts its action in the cytoplasm, and, therefore, does not integrate into the nucleus of the host, a fact that is translated to higher safety profiles. For the same reason, the delivery of exogenous mRNA is a more efficient process, facilitating its use as a therapeutic. Furthermore, mRNA can be synthesized in the laboratory following straight forward techniques, which, at the same time are adaptable to industrial scale, including for GMP manufacturing. Importantly, mRNA sequence can be modified and adjusted to specific needs, such as emergency situations or personalized medicine.