mRNA COVID-19 VACCINES

What is mRNA ?
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a single-stranded molecule
naturally present in all of our cells.
It carries the instructions for making proteins from our
genes
Located in the cell nucleus, to the cytoplasm, the main
body of our cells.
Enzymes in the cytoplasm then translate the
information stored in mRNA and make protein

Explaination on
how mRNA
vaccines work

Genetically engineered mRNA vaccine give cells instructions on how to make

spike found on the surface of covid-19 virus
After vaccination , immune cells begin making the spike protein pieces and
display them on cell surface
After delivering instructions , mRNA immediately broken down so it never
enter the nucleus of cells where DNA is kept.
If someone get infected with covid -19 virus the antibodies will fight the virus.
To conclude basically, mRNA vaccines deliver the genetic instructions to our
cells to make viral or bacterial proteins themselves. Our immune system
responds to these and builds up immunity.
INTRODUCTION
How mRNA vaccines works ( translation process)
RNA vaccines are a new generation of vaccines. Instead of a protein antigen, they
contain mRNA, meaning messenger RNA. As its name suggests, mRNA is basically a
messenger, carrying genetic message from DNA to protein. In order to function, a
human cell needs to constantly produce proteins based on genetic information in its
DNA. Because DNA is located in the nucleus of the cell, and protein synthesis occurs in
the cytoplasm, an intermediate molecule is required to transmit the information.
mRNA copies the information from DNA and brings it to the cytoplasm, where it is
translated into protein. mRNA consists of 4 basic codons called A, U, C and G. The
information it carries is the sequence of these letters. RNA vaccines contain mRNA
strands that have the information for making the viral antigen, usually a viral spike
protein. Once inside the body’s cells, the mRNA is translated into protein, the antigen,
by the same process the cells use to make their own proteins. The antigen is then
displayed on the cell surface where it is recognized by the immune system.

CONTEN
T TRANSCRIPTION
The act of transcribing information from a strand of DNA into a new molecule of messenger RNA
(mRNA). is known as transcription . Although mRNA carries the same information as the DNA segment, it
is not a duplicate since its sequence is complementary to the DNA template.

Transcription is carried out by an enzyme called RNA polymerase and a series of accessory proteins called transcription
factors. Transcription factors can bind to specific DNA sequences called enhancer and promoter sequences to recruit
RNA polymerase to an appropriate transcription site. Together, transcription factors and RNA polymerase form a
complex called a transcription initiation complex. This complex initiates transcription and RNA polymerase begins mRNA

synthesis by matching complementary bases to the original DNA strand. The mRNA molecule elongates and as soon as the
strand is fully synthesized, transcription stops. The newly formed mRNA copies of the gene serve as a blueprint for protein
synthesis during the translation process

TRANSLATION
Translation is the process by An mRNA sequence is read Translation of an mRNA
which a protein is using the genetic code,. The takes place in three
synthesized from the genetic code is a set of three-
information contained in a letter nucleotide combinations
stages: initiation,
messenger RNA (mRNA) called codons, each of which elongation, and
molecule. corresponds to a specific amino termination.
acid or stop signal.

Termination occurs when the

During initiation, the small ribosomal
During the elongation phase, the ribosome reaches a termination
subunit binds to the beginning of the
ribosome continues to translate codon (UAA, UAG, and UGA). Since
mRNA sequence. Then tRNA binds to
each codon. Each appropriate there are no tRNA molecules that
the start codon of the mRNA sequence.
amino acid adds to the growing can recognize these codons, the
The start codon in all mRNA molecules
chain and is joined by a bond ribosome rognizes that
has the sequence AUG and codes for
called a peptide bond. Stretching translation is complete. The new
methionine. The large ribosomal
continues until all codons are protein is then released, and the
subunit then joins together to form
read. translation complex comes apart
the complete initiation complex.
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL

VACCINE AND MRNA VACCINE

CONVENTIONAL VACCINE ASPECTS mRNA vaccines

can take months to mRNA vaccines can be

produce by growing constructed quickly
Production time using only the
weakened forms of
pathogen’s genetic
the virus
code.

Needed large quantities No virus needed to make a

of batch of mRNA vaccine.
virus to make each batch Only small quantities of
Biosafety
of vaccine creates potential virus are used for gene
hazard sequencing and vaccine
testing
Contains modified (vector)
virus to transport the mRNA sequence which
antigen genetic code . The enter the individual cell to
human cell will produce the
Production time produce the specific virus
targeted protein i.e viral protein
vector

REFERENCE
S
1. What are mRNA vaccines and how do they work?: MedlinePlus
Genetics (2021,September 20). Medline. Retrieved October 10, 2021,
from
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/therapy/mrnavaccines/

2. Transcription vs Translation. (n.d.). Diffen. Retrieved October 10, 2021,

from
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Transcription_vs_Translation#:%7E:text=
Transcription%20is%20the%20synthesis%20of,acid%20sequence%20in%20a
%20protein.

3. What Makes an RNA Vaccine Different From a Conventional Vaccine? |

Breakthroughs. (n.d.). Breakthroughs. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from
https://www.breakthroughs.com/advancing-medical-research/what-makes-
rna-vaccine-different-conventional-vaccine
4. Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines. (2021, March 4).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 10,
2021, from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-
vaccines/mrna.html
5. Pardi, N. (2018, January 12). mRNA vaccines — a new era in
vaccinology. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. Retrieved October 10,
2021, from
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrd.2017.243
6. Katella, K. (2021, October 15). Comparing the COVID-19 Vaccines: How
Are They Different? Yale Medicine. Retrieved October 10, 2021, from
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-comparison

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