mRNA & Cells: Revolutionizing How We Heal from Within

From cancer and autoimmune disorders to Parkinson's and Alzheimer’s. So, who are these messengers? They’re mRNA molecules, working inside human cells. It’s now possible to create new mRNA messages to rewrite the future of medicine.

Thanks to groundbreaking discoveries, mRNA technology is already showing what's possible, from empowering your cells to fight infections to producing the very proteins that keep your body running smoothly. Cells and mRNA molecules—a dynamic duo who have only just scratched the surface of what’s possible. Curious? Keep reading, because we’re just getting started!

Let me introduce myself. I’m a human cell, a tiny part of the human organism that’s dedicated to preserving life. My forte? Making tools! I assemble smaller building blocks into complex proteins which are like tools with diverse and powerful functions. Proteins help skin to heal, keep the heart pumping, allow nerves to transmit signals, and enable the brain to process information—just a few of the many tasks I perform on a daily basis. As a human cell, I rely on my partner in crime, the mRNA molecule, a nimble messenger that taxis genetic instructions from cell DNA to an area inside me called the cytoplasm. This is where ribosomes—tiny machines—wait to use mRNA’s instructions to build all-important proteins. Take hemoglobin, for example—a protein that ensures oxygen is delivered to every part of the body. Want to know more about mRNA and how it works? Get the mRNA molecule’s perspective.

While my ribosomes are busy following mRNA's instructions, I’m also hard at work, taking in oxygen and nutrients like glucose and converting them into energy through cellular respiration—much like charging a battery. With that energy, I perform essential tasks like repairing myself and removing waste.

But humans have also been busy. For over fifty years, you’ve been learning the language that cell DNA uses to write mRNA instructions—the so-called 'language of cells.' During this time, you’ve really come into your own, using it to create synthetic mRNA (lab-made versions that mimic natural ones) for a range of treatments. Today, your knowledge, understanding, and precision in working with DNA and RNA have reached new heights—unlocking incredible possibilities, particularly in medicine and the fight against cancer.

Cancer affects millions of people every year. The mRNA instructions needed to help the human body defend itself against cancerous cells have yet to be fully unlocked. But rest assured, passionate experts are working night and day to find them! Cancer cells grow rapidly and aggressively, using up the body's resources and energy. As they spread, they can cause severe damage by invading tissues, disrupting organ functions, and even leading to organ failure. Normally, the immune system would find and destroy damaged cells, but cancer cells are a sneaky lot. They hide among healthy cells, evading detection. With the right instructions, mRNA can help cells like me to create proteins that expose cancer cells, ending their game of hide-and-seek. The immune system will finally recognize and destroy them. Challenge accepted!

Cancer isn’t the only condition on the hit list. From autoimmune disorders to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, new ways to combat a variety of diseases are becoming apparent.

Take autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. In these conditions, the body mistakenly attacks itself, destroying healthy cells. This leads to inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness, often in the joints of hands, wrists, and knees. Over time, it can cause joint damage, deformities, and reduced mobility. If mRNA shows us cells how to build proteins that calm the immune system, we could help the body heal.

The same goes for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These stubborn bacteria make it hard for people to recover from illnesses. These occur when bacteria mutate or acquire resistance genes, often due to the overuse or misuse of antibiotics. As a result, infections caused by these bacteria become harder to treat, leading to longer illnesses and increased risk of complications. But with the right instructions, the cells in human bodies can get working on an appropriate protein to stop them in their tracks and better protect patients from infections.

Neurological diseases, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s could also be tackled. Parkinson’s disease affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance. It occurs when dopamine-producing neurons, which regulate movement and mood, are lost in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease, on the other hand, mainly affects memory and cognitive abilities. Typically, there’s a buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain, leading to memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with thinking and reasoning. With the help of humans and the right mRNA instructions, we cells may one day be able to restore damaged cells, slow down, or even reverse the progression of these diseases.

Positive strides are also expected in regenerative medicine. mRNA can give cells the instructions to produce growth factors and healing proteins. These could repair, replace, or even regenerate damaged tissues and organs to restore normal function. The goal is to treat conditions like heart disease, spinal cord injuries, and degenerative diseases by empowering the body to heal itself. Diabetes could also be managed more effectively. Instead of having to inject insulin every day, people could be treated to let us cells and mRNA molecules work our magic and produce the insulin their bodies need.

The more humans learn our language and help us cells overcome obstacles, the greater the possibilities become. We need your expertise to realize our full potential. There’s still much to explore in mRNA technology, and many hurdles remain. But there’s a solution—Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs). These specialized companies play a crucial role in turning advanced mRNA research into scalable therapies that can quickly reach patients in need. I’ll let someone else explain the ins and outs... I’ve got some glucose waiting to be turned into energy—a cell’s work is never done!