Local researchers say their new technology could revolutionise mRNA quality checks.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, researchers from The University of Queensland have joined forces with UK-based biotech powerhouse Oxford Nanopore Technologies to enhance the analysis of mRNA vaccines and therapies. 

This cutting-edge approach promises to streamline and elevate the quality control standards of mRNA-based medical products on a global scale.

The University of Queensland's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), renowned as Australia's primary source of research-grade mRNA, has already contributed over 200 mRNA vaccines and therapies for academic, clinical, and industry purposes. 

Expanding on this expertise, AIBN's BASE team is teaming up with Oxford Nanopore to leverage their state-of-the-art nanopore-based sequencing technology, aiming to enhance efficiency and drastically reduce the time required for assessing the quality of mRNA vaccines.

Dr Helen Gunter, a researcher specialising in BASE mRNA technologies, says current methods for analysing mRNA vaccines and therapies are laborious expensive.

She highlighted that Oxford Nanopore Technologies' sequencing allows the direct scrutiny of each mRNA vaccine molecule as it traverses a protein nanopore, yielding real-time data on its sequence identity and integrity. 

This groundbreaking approach not only promises quicker quality assessments but also serves as a vital tool for comprehending the inner workings of mRNA vaccines within cells.

Dr Gunter says there is potential for real-time analysis of mRNA vaccines, which could facilitate swift quality control during pandemics or personalised therapy development. 

The rising interest and investment in mRNA vaccines, catalysed by the COVID-19 vaccine success, have propelled the mRNA market to an estimated worth of $US68 billion by 2030. 

Dr Gunter says that maintaining high-quality standards is essential to realising this potential.

In her vision of the future, nanopore RNA sequencing methods will play a pivotal role in the development and production of mRNA-based pharmaceuticals. 

More details are accessible here.