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It is a stiff substance that provides structural support to the bilayers and acts as a filler to keep the phospholipid bilayers intact.
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Our cell membranes contain this exact lipid bilayer structure as its primary component.Ĭholesterol is an organic lipid molecule with an important role in cell walls. Together when dropped into water, these phospholipids form a structure called a lipid bilayer. Phospholipids are a class of lipids that have a hydrophilic "head" containing a phosphate group, and two hydrophobic "tails" derived from fatty acids, joined by glycerol The water-loving phosphate heads face the outside and inside the cellular environment, while the fatty acid tails curl inside to face each other. Each vaccine manufacture tends to produce its own ionizable lipid. These lipids are usually lab-engineered lipids which are positively charged during preparation at low pH to help mRNA encapsulation and then become neutrally charged when in the bloodstream, making them safe and compatible in our neutral pH body environment, Numerous amounts of ionizable lipids have been tested for use in helping to deliver mRNA, making this ingredient the sole difference between the various COVID-19 vaccines. Ionizable lipids are the key ingredients. LNPs are composed of four ingredients along with the mRNA (or therapeutic drug): To be more specific, let’s discuss the basic lipid molecules that make up these nanoparticles. Since both the structure of LNPs and that of our cell membranes are similar, it allows the LNP to act as a superior transport carrier of mRNA into cells, where it can then be released to perform its therapeutic functions. LNPs are made up of several lipid molecules, which are actually quite similar to the lipid membranes surrounding our own cells providing flexibility and protection. So What are LNPs and What Essential Role Do They Play in mRNA Technology? LNPs have proven to be an ideal and effective drug carrier system, functioning both to protect and deliver mRNA to its targeted site for release. That is where the need for an efficient drug delivery system such as the lipid nanoparticle, or LNP comes in. In addition, they also cannot find their way around without the help of a guide to reach their destination. However, mRNA is fragile and will often be destroyed or damaged before they reach their destination. Therapeutics like mRNA are typically injected, either into the muscle or bloodstream, with the ultimate goal being to reach and enter our cells. The biggest challenge faced with mRNA technology is the safe delivery of the mRNA to the target sites whilst remaining intact. So then this sounds all too good to be true, however, such a novel technology does not come without its flaws or limitations. To add to the capabilities of this technology, by reengineering the mRNA for different strains of a virus, we can immediately modify a vaccine to fight variants as they appear. Therefore, when the actual virus does appear, our bodies are prepared to recognize, fight, and protect us from infection.
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Essentially, our immune system responds to the synthesized viral proteins instructed by the mRNA, and in doing so, our cells learn how to recognize them and produce antibodies against it. Using the mRNA engineered for a specific protein of a virus, such as the spike protein of the COVID-19 virus, and introducing it into our body’s own cells, allows for production of the foreign virus' antigen by our own cells and familiarization of the antigen by our immune system.
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But for now, the success of the mRNA vaccines in combatting the COVID-19 virus is just the beginning, it has uses in the potential to treat and cure many other diseases, such as cancers and genetic diseases in the future.Īs a quick background on mRNA technology, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is a component of genetic information in all living celled organisms which carries the recipe of how to make proteins. The use of mRNA technology in the development of the COVID-19 vaccines has proven to be a groundbreaking and successful agent that has saved countless lives and will continue to save more. So how is it possible to develop COVID-19 vaccines in less than a year and achieve higher efficiencies than any other previous pandemic vaccine? The answer is mRNA technology. One of the most astounding accomplishments during this time is that the medical community has been the ability to produce not just one but several highly effective vaccines in relatively little time. For over a year, COVID-19 has been at the forefront of the news.