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Biotechnology has expanded our understanding and ability to address human health challenges. However, the path to clinical development of biotechnology innovations remains an intriguing challenge, with only a few innovations that have succeeded in becoming transformative tools and therapies. In this article, we explore the latest trends in healthcare biotechnology, focusing on RNA-based vaccines and their revolutionary possibilities for healthcare. RNA vaccines, including conventional mRNA, circRNA and saRNA vaccines, are setting a milestone in vaccine development, highlighting their efficacy, adaptability and ability to induce humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Despite their potential, these vaccines face challenges such as technological immaturity and high research costs. However, their rapid response and ability to address emerging diseases are driving research in this area, offering hope for the future of infectious disease prevention.
saRNA: amplifying the potential of RNA vaccines
Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines represent an evolution of conventional mRNA vaccines. By containing replicating genes, these vaccines can produce more antigenic proteins at lower doses, potentially reducing side effects and manufacturing requirements. Although they face challenges such as complexity in manufacturing and administration, their approval marks a milestone in the development of RNA vaccines and opens up new possibilities to fight infectious diseases more efficiently.
CircRNA: a new dimension in gene expression
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable and prevalent molecules in eukaryotic cells that have aroused great interest in the scientific community. Their ability to encode proteins and their stability make them a promising platform for gene expression. Optimisation of key elements, such as vector topology and untranslated regions, is significantly improving the yields of circular proteins, offering new perspectives in the field of gene therapy and personalised medicine.
Expectations for the future and challenges
As we move forward with the development of RNA-based vaccines, it is crucial to address the challenges we face, from optimising production to assessing safety and efficacy in clinical settings. However, the potential of these new technologies to transform healthcare is undeniable.
At OLIGOFASTX we continue to work on research with a single purpose, to bring new opportunities to patients living with rare diseases, and we encourage strengthened collaboration between researchers, healthcare providers and industry partners, opening new frontiers in the treatment of diseases offering hope to millions of people worldwide.
Sources:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-022-01393-0
https://biotechnology.amgen.com/biotech-future.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10383046/
Image 2: https://www.bioworld.com/keywords/33296-circrna