Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Synthesis and Characterization of mRNA-Loaded PolyBeta Aminoesters Nanoparticles for Vaccination Purposes
Published on: August 13, 2021
Emerging Nucleic Acid Cargos for Next-Generation RNA Vaccines and Therapeutics
Hannah C Safford1, Rohan Palanki1,2,3, Melgious Ang1,4
1Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.
Abstract:
Messenger RNA (mRNA) lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have emerged as a transformative technology with broad applications in vaccines, protein replacement therapy, and gene editing. However, the transient nature of mRNA expression often necessitates high or repeated dosing regimens, limiting its therapeutic potential. Thus, there is a critical need for innovation at the interface of RNA biology and drug delivery that prolong the duration of RNA translation. In this Viewpoint, we provide an overview of emerging nucleic acid cargos that address these challenges, specifically self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA), and provide a framework for how these nucleic acid cargos can enable the next generation of vaccines and therapeutics for diverse clinical applications.
Related Concept Videos
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Viruses with RNA Genomes
RNA Interference
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
Nucleic Acid Structure
DNA Structure
DNA...
RNA-seq
Before the discovery of RNA-seq, microarray-based methods and Sanger sequencing were used for transcriptome analysis. However, while...
siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the...

