mRNA

 mRNA (messenger RNA) is a molecule of RNA that is read by a ribosome while forming a protein. Its history is interesting and it epitomises the significance of global efforts. mRNA is now in the news because Pfizer - BioNTech and Moderna have developed mRNA-based  vaccines against COVID-19.

Existence of mRNA was conceptualised / visualised by Jacques Monod, a French biochemist and Francois Jacob, a French biologist. Later it was discovered by Sydney Brenner, a South African biologist.

An Hungarian biochemist, Katalin Kariko,  revolutionised the understanding of mRNA by speculating on its various uses. She even suggested its utility in vaccine development. She was far ahead of her times. Her views were not taken seriously by other scientists. (Her daughter, Susan Francia won Olympic Gold Medal twice in rowing.)

The Turkish couple, Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci, set up the biotech company, BioNTech in Germany and developed the vaccine against COVID-19. The vaccine is marketed by Pfizer, an American pharma company. It is manufactured in Puurs, Belgium.

The first regulatory approval was given in the U.K.