HKUST Discovers New Way To Boost MRNA Drug Efficacy

Researchers from the University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Tuesday said they have found a way to boost the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, so in future people can get lower dosages and fewer injections for the same level of protection.

MRNAs are synthesised molecules that instruct cells to make proteins that in turn trigger an immune response. A number of Covid vaccines employ this technology.

However, high dosages and repeated injections are often required for mRNA drugs and vaccines to generate a sufficient amount of proteins, or to be effective enough.

Becki Kuang, an HKUST assistant professor who led the study, said they have discovered the best "tail sequences" that can produce three to ten times more proteins than the current mRNAs.

“In our study, what we found is that, not only the protein production will be enhanced, but the production duration will also be prolonged. Essentially that means, the optimised tail can maintain a high level of protein protection inside the cell for a longer time. So this is why we predict that if mRNA drugs and vaccines use our tail, it can reduce our dosage,” she said.

Kuang added that her team is conducting trials on animals to examine how their findings can improve cancer vaccines, and is looking to apply the technology on humans next.

"If we can achieve good animal experiments on real drugs and real vaccines, then we are very happy to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to explore the use of this [technology] on humans," she said.