The original article is about the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology for 2023 being awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman for their revolutionary work on messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) base modification. Their discoveries played a pivotal role in developing mRNA vaccines against Covid-19, which have saved millions of lives worldwide.
Nobel Laureates Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman were recipients of the Nobel Prize due to their groundbreaking work in the field of mRNA base modification. Their research was instrumental in addressing the challenges faced by the immune system when encountering foreign material. Their findings have broadened our understanding of how cells identify and react to varying types of mRNA, opening up vast possibilities for the therapeutic use of mRNA.
Deciphering the Challenge of mRNA use in Vaccines
Karikó and Weissman identified critical issues in using in vitro transcribed mRNA, a synthetic RNA generated in the lab. Such mRNA was recognized as foreign by dendritic cells, setting off an inflammatory response that could cause side effects and diminish the success rate of a vaccine. In addition, this kind of mRNA was highly unstable and prone to degradation by enzymes within the body.
The Transformative Discovery
Through meticulous observation, Karikó and Weissman noted that natural RNA from mammalian cells sported chemical modifications in its bases. They conjectured that the lack of these changes in lab-made mRNA may trigger inflammatory reactions. After experimenting with various mRNA variants featuring unique chemical alterations, they discovered that including base modifications significantly reduced inflammation.
Significance of Base-modified mRNA Vaccines
Post 2010 saw a rise in interest in mRNA technology, with multiple enterprises striving to leverage this method for diverse applications. During the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines using base-modified mRNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 surface protein were developed at a breakneck speed. These showed almost 95% protective effects and received approval as early as December 2020. This revolution in public health underscores the crucial contributions made by Karikó and Weissman towards recognizing the significance of base modifications in mRNA.
Understanding mRNA Vaccines
mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to the cell’s protein-making machinery. mRNA vaccines utilize synthetic mRNA that encodes a specific protein from a pathogen, like the spike protein of coronavirus. When injected into the body, cells take up this mRNA to produce the protein, triggering an immune response. This leads to the production of antibodies and memory cells geared to recognize and combat the pathogen in the future. Some advantages of mRNA vaccines include faster and cheaper production as they don’t require cell culture or complex purification processes. They are also more flexible and adaptable, as they can be easily adjusted to target new variants or strains of pathogens.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Questions
Lastly, there is an interactive segment that poses potential examination questions relating to Covid-19 vaccines within the context of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. This segment includes preliminary questions about the platforms used to manufacture vaccines such as Covishield, Sputnik V, and COVAXIN. Additionally, it presents main examination questions about the fundamental principle behind vaccine development, how vaccines work, and the strategies employed by Indian vaccine manufacturers to create Covid-19 vaccines. This section serves as a study guide for students preparing for their examinations.
