During the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA (mRNA) vaccines emerged as leading vaccine candidates in a record time. Nonreplicating mRNA (NRM) and self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) technologies have been developed into high-performing and clinically viable vaccines against a range of infectious agents, notably SARS-CoV-2. mRNA vaccines demonstrate efficient in vivo delivery, long-lasting stability, and nonexistent risk of infection. The stability and translational efficiency of in vitro transcription (IVT)-mRNA can be further increased by modulating its structural elements. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the recent advances, key applications, and future challenges in the field of mRNA-based vaccinology.
Keywords: 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions; 5′ cap; SARS-CoV-2; lipid nanoparticles; mRNA vaccines; modified nucleosides; nonreplicating mRNA; poly(A) tail; self-amplifying mRNA.