Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Z. Noskowskiego, 12/14, 61-704, Poznan, Poland.
NanoBioMedical Center, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
J Appl Genet. 2024 Feb;65(1):47-55. doi: 10.1007/s13353-023-00793-5. Epub 2023 Oct 20.
The discovery of nucleic acids stands as a paramount achievement in the history of scientific endeavors. By applying transformative advancements in the fields of chemistry and physics to biological systems, researchers unveiled the enigmatic nature of life. Notably, messenger RNA (mRNA) emerged as a crucial player in this profound revelation, serving as a transient intermediary for genetic information transfer between genes and proteins. Groundbreaking investigations carried out from 1944 to 1961 led to the initial identification of this pivotal molecule, captivating scientific interest for the past three decades. The field of mRNA research has witnessed a transformative shift owing to the development of cap analogs and nucleotide modifications. This revolutionary progress has fostered a new generation of potent therapeutics. Prior to the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, numerous scientists had already begun exploring the unique properties of mRNA. However, with the onset of the pandemic, mRNA catapulted into the limelight as a heroic agent, providing the foundation for highly effective vaccines that have played a crucial role in mitigating the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The successive generations of cap analogs have significantly enhanced the translation efficacy of mRNA, while the discovery of suitable purification, packaging, and delivery methods has paved the way for groundbreaking medical breakthroughs. Pioneers in the field such as Katalin Karikó, Drew Weissman, Edward Darzynkiewicz, Robert Rhodes, Ugur Sahin, and Ozlem Tureci have made significant contributions during the early stages of mRNA research, warranting acknowledgement for their visionary endeavors. The narrative of mRNA represents a remarkable journey marked by a succession of breakthroughs in a discipline that holds immense promise for the future of medicine. Thanks to the pioneering work of these exceptional scientists, we are well-positioned to unlock the full potential of this extraordinary molecule, ushering in a new era of medical advancements.
核酸的发现是科学发展史上的一项重大成就。通过将化学和物理学领域的变革性进步应用于生物系统，研究人员揭示了生命的神秘本质。特别是信使 RNA（mRNA）在这一深刻发现中扮演了关键角色，作为基因和蛋白质之间遗传信息传递的短暂中间体。从 1944 年到 1961 年进行的开创性研究导致了这种关键分子的初步鉴定，在过去的三十年里引起了科学界的极大兴趣。由于帽类似物和核苷酸修饰的发展，mRNA 研究领域发生了变革性转变。这一革命性进展催生了新一代有效的治疗方法。在冠状病毒大流行之前，许多科学家已经开始探索 mRNA 的独特性质。然而，随着大流行的爆发，mRNA 一跃成为英雄般的药物，为高效疫苗的研发奠定了基础，这些疫苗在减轻严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2（SARS-CoV-2）传播方面发挥了关键作用。随后几代的帽类似物显著提高了 mRNA 的翻译效率，而合适的纯化、包装和递送方法的发现为突破性的医学突破铺平了道路。在 mRNA 研究的早期阶段，Katalin Karikó、Drew Weissman、Edward Darzynkiewicz、Robert Rhodes、Ugur Sahin 和 Ozlem Tureci 等领域的先驱者做出了重要贡献，他们的远见卓识值得肯定。mRNA 的发展历程是一个非凡的故事，标志着在一个具有巨大医学前景的学科中，连续取得了突破性进展。多亏了这些杰出科学家的开创性工作，我们才能充分挖掘这种非凡分子的潜力，迎来医学进步的新时代。
