Decoding trends in mRNA vaccine research: A comprehensive bibliometric study

Area of Science:

• Vaccinology
• Biotechnology
• Immunology

Background:

• Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have emerged as a critical tool in combating infectious diseases, exemplified by their role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The rapid development, adaptability to new variants, and simplicity of mRNA vaccine technology have led to significant global recognition, including the 2023 Nobel Prize.
• The socio-economic impact of infectious diseases underscores the importance of innovative vaccine platforms like mRNA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of mRNA vaccine research.
• To map the developmental history, achievements, and key players in the field of mRNA vaccines.
• To identify current research hotspots and future priorities in mRNA vaccine technology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database for a bibliometric analysis of 5,512 mRNA vaccine papers published between 2003 and 2023.
• Employed cooperation mapping, co-citation analysis, and keyword clustering to analyze research trends and collaborations.
• Generated knowledge maps to visualize the contributions of countries, institutions, authors, and journals.

Main Results:

• Identified key countries, institutions, influential authors, and leading journals in mRNA vaccine research.
• Highlighted seminal references that have shaped the field.
• Revealed current research frontiers including immune responses, stability enhancement, cancer applications, and infectious disease control.

Conclusions:

• mRNA vaccines represent a transformative advancement in preventing infectious diseases.
• This bibliometric analysis provides valuable insights into the growth trajectory and key research areas of mRNA vaccines.
• The findings can guide future research priorities and technological advancements in vaccine development.