The new Covid19 vaccine produced by two companies (Pfizer, Moderna) uses mRNA coding for part of the spike protein of the virus. The virus uses the spike protein to invade human cells where it replicates. Is it surprising that the mRNA must be stabilized with chemicals that need ultra-cold or frozen storage to protect the mRNA from degradation before it causes human muscle cells to make the spike protein
The new Covid19 vaccine produced by two companies (Pfizer, Moderna) uses mRNA coding for part of the spike protein of the virus. The virus uses the spike protein to invade human cells where it replicates. Is it surprising that the mRNA must be stabilized with chemicals that need ultra-cold or frozen storage to protect the mRNA from degradation before it causes human muscle cells to make the spike protein
Biology (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN:9781337392938
Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Publisher:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. Berg
Chapter24: Viruses And Subviral Agents
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 16TYU
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- The new Covid19 vaccine produced by two companies (Pfizer, Moderna) uses mRNA coding for part of the spike protein of the virus. The virus uses the spike protein to invade human cells where it replicates. Is it surprising that the mRNA must be stabilized with chemicals that need ultra-cold or frozen storage to protect the mRNA from degradation before it causes human muscle cells to make the spike protein?
- Some Covid 19 vaccines in development use the adenovirus, a common vector used in gene therapies, to inject the mRNa for the spike protein into human muscle cells. Why might vaccines using a virus vector be more likely to need only refrigeration and not deep-cold storage, given what you know about viruses?
- Some older vaccines used a weakened strain of the pathogenic virus in the injection in the hope that the weakened virus would induce an immune response without causing disease. The virus vectors used in genetic engineering have all the harmful virus genes cut out and replaced with the foreign gene, such as one that makes a protein that is absent in the human patient. Which type of viral vaccine would you prefer to take as the safest option? Why?
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