Early Discoveries
In the early 1960s, researchers Sydney Brenner, François Jacob, and Matthew Meselson identified messenger RNA (mRNA) as the molecule that transfers genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes, enabling protein production. This discovery revolutionized molecular biology.
The 1970s Breakthroughs
By the 1970s, scientists were synthesizing mRNA in labs, unlocking its potential for medical applications. Researchers envisioned using mRNA to instruct cells to produce therapeutic proteins, a concept that would take decades to develop.
Pioneering Vaccine Research
In the 1990s, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman began experimenting with mRNA to create vaccines. Their research faced significant setbacks, but in 2005 they developed a modified mRNA that reduced inflammatory responses, paving the way for its safe use in humans.
Global Impact in 2020
In response to COVID-19, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech utilized mRNA technology to create vaccines in record time. These vaccines instructed cells to produce a spike protein, training the immune system to fight the virus.
In the early 1960s, researchers Sydney Brenner, François Jacob, and Matthew Meselson identified messenger RNA (mRNA) as the molecule that transfers genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes, enabling protein production. This discovery revolutionized molecular biology.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/1Tyk3aAfYT
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 22, 2025