Hong Kong University of Science and Technology: A new method that can increase the efficiency of protein production for synthesizing mRNA by a factor of 10

A team of synthetic biologists at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) recently discovered a way to increase the efficiency of protein production of synthetic mRNA by a factor of 10, meaning that mRNA vaccines and drugs used to treat cancer, Covid-19 or other genetic diseases can be greatly improved with fewer mRNA
doses.

Messenger RNA can be synthesized to direct our cells to make any kind of protein, such as antigens, enzymes, and hormones, which are necessary to fight infections and regulate body functions, so messenger RNA is arguably the preferred choice
for vaccines and treatments for many different diseases.
However, in order to produce sufficient amounts of protein in the body, messenger RNA drugs and vaccines often require high doses and repeated injections, so improving the effectiveness of messenger RNA—for example by increasing its protein production efficiency—is a hot topic for scientists because our immune system can work
better with more specific antibodies.

Now, a research team led by Assistant Professor Kwong Yi of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has discovered a way
to both extend the lifespan and improve the efficiency of mRNA.
After modifying different mRNA tail sequences, Kwong's team eventually found that the optimized sequences produced 3 to 10 times more protein than the unoptimized tail sequences, which are commonly used to synthesize mRNA
on human cells and mice.
The duration of protein production also doubled
.

This new technology will not only reduce the number and number of injections required for mRNA drugs and vaccines, but may also reduce the cost of
treatment.
It can also be used with other mRNA-enhancing techniques to synergistically promote protein production
.

Professor Kuang said: "Increasing protein production for synthetic messenger RNA is generally beneficial
for all messenger RNA drugs and vaccines.
" "In collaboration with Sun Yat-sen University, our team is now exploring the use of optimized tails in animals for mRNA cancer vaccines
.
We also look forward to working with pharmaceutical companies to move this invention into the development pipeline of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines for the benefit of society
.
" ”

In recent years, messenger RNA drugs and vaccines have received a lot of attention
due to their effectiveness in protecting us from severe diseases such as COVID-19, as well as their great potential in treating chronic diseases such as cancer.
According to an earlier study, the global market for mRNA therapeutics was $33.
99 billion last year and is expected to expand further over the next ^decade1.