a day ago
- The BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA vaccine contains a digital code of 4284 letters that is synthesized into DNA, then RNA, and packaged into lipid nanoparticles for delivery.
- The mRNA uses a 5' cap (starting with GA) and 5' UTR to initiate translation, with modifications like replacing U with 1-methyl-3'-pseudouridine (Ψ) to avoid immune detection.
- Codon optimization replaces many bases with G and C to increase protein production efficiency, while maintaining the same amino acid sequence as the virus.
- Two proline substitutions (K→P and V→P) in the spike protein stabilize its prefusion conformation, making the vaccine effective.
- The 3' UTR and poly-A tail (with an internal linker) enhance mRNA stability and protein expression, with the poly-A tail protecting against degradation.