Advances in mRNA Technology Beyond COVID-19 Vaccines

Abstract

The development and application of mRNA technology in humans over the past few years have resulted in great strides. Extensive work laid the scientific groundwork for these advancements. While the current pandemic has accelerated attention to mRNA-based therapies, we look beyond to other potential applications. We discuss current developments in mRNA technology beyond COVID-19 vaccines with a critical discussion of the challenges and potential of mRNA-based therapeutics in different diseases. We highlight the push towards personalized and more precise therapies in the medical field. The advent of modern gene-editing tools and deep sequencing provides a unique platform for the development of new therapies such as mRNA-based gene therapies. There is a significant focus on developing and screening delivery vehicles. The application of evidence-based targeted mRNA constructs can be used in gene editing via the generation, transcript repair, genetic replacement of transcripts, and at the protein level. We also briefly discuss the advantages and potential of these areas that currently we are not able to or have not convincingly matured into in mRNA technology as gene therapy. The remainder of the text discusses and condenses results showing what areas mRNA is being used in as potential gene therapies, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the emerging approaches.