The power of mRNA
At Moderna, we are delivering on the promise of mRNA science to create a new generation of transformative medicines for patients.
mRNA could revolutionize medicine
Scientists have been studying mRNAfor decades. And mRNA vaccines arejust the start.
It's all about proteins
An mRNA canteach the body how to make a specific protein that can help your immune system prevent or treat certaindiseases.
You are made of proteins
Your body containstrillions of cells, the basic units of life. And every cell contains proteins.
What proteins do
Proteins are the"workhorses" of your cells. And your body makes>100,000different kinds of proteins.
How proteins work
For example,insulin is a protein that helps the body control sugar levels in the blood. In people with Type I diabetes, their body doesn't make enough insulin.
Why proteins are important
When the body doesn’t make the right amount or type of protein, it can cause conditions likecancer or metabolic diseases.
Why we focus on proteins
Proteins are essential formaintaining health and preventing disease.
Your cells are protein factories
Proteins are made in a process calledprotein synthesis. And that's where mRNA comes in.
What is mRNA?
Messenger RNA–or mRNA–exists in all of the cells in your body. It is an essential component of all living organisms and has been in cells forbillions of years.
What does it do?
Just like its name suggests, mRNA is amessenger. It interacts with other components in cells that help create proteins.
How does it help make a protein?
Each mRNA carries instructions to make a specific protein. These instructions are like a “blueprint.” mRNA delivers these instructions, and cells put the protein together.
What happens after a protein is made?
Once its job is done, an mRNA isbroken down by the body. It doesn’t stick around for very long.
mRNA teaches the body how to make its own medicine
Scientistsdesign each mRNA to give cells directions to make a particular protein.
1. Making an mRNA medicine
To protect the mRNA and help deliver it into cells, the mRNA iswrapped with lipids, or fats.
2. Deliver mRNA into the body
mRNA vaccines are given as an injection. Future mRNA treatments might be delivered by an infusion.
3. Creating the right protein
Once the vaccine is delivered, the body takes over and makes the protein according to themRNA’s instructions.
4. Breaking it down
mRNA doesn’t stay in the body very long once its job is done. And it does not cause permanent changes or alter DNA.