The messenger RNA (mRNA) technology paved the way for groundbreaking Covid-19 vaccines. Videographic showing how the mRNA vaccine works. VIDEOGRAPHIC
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00:00Messenger Ribonucleic Acid, or mRNA, is a molecule that carries genetic code from DNA
00:13to a cell's protein-making machinery.
00:17Traditional vaccines contain small amounts of weakened virus or inactivated forms of
00:21germs that carry a disease.
00:23They train the body to recognize certain proteins, called antigens, made by the virus or bacteria.
00:28This training primes the immune system to respond when it encounters the real thing.
00:33By contrast, messenger RNA vaccines deliver genetic instructions to build these antigens
00:38directly into cells.
00:40The human body itself is effectively turned into a vaccine-making factory.
00:46The messenger RNA of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is manufactured in a laboratory.
00:51It's introduced into the cell to make it manufacture the antigens specific to the coronavirus,
00:56the spike proteins that cover the surface and give it its crown-like appearance.
01:02The immune system sees these spike proteins and develops infection-fighting antibodies
01:07against it, without ever exposing it to the actual virus.
01:12Messenger RNA vaccines are thought to be safer than traditional vaccines since there's no
01:16chance that the spike protein in isolation can cause someone to get the disease.
01:21Another advantage is speed.
01:23With mRNA vaccines, only the sequence of the antigen is required, and this can take just
01:28a few weeks.
01:29Messenger RNA vaccines also provide the production of immune cells, an additional defense mechanism
01:35on top of antibodies.