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Synthetic mRNA: Production, Introduction into Cells, and Physiological Consequences

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Synthetic mRNA

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1428))

Abstract

Recent advances have made it possible to synthesize mRNA in vitro that is relatively stable when introduced into mammalian cells, has a diminished ability to activate the innate immune response against exogenous (virus-like) RNA, and can be efficiently translated into protein. Synthetic methods have also been developed to produce mRNA with unique investigational properties such as photo-cross-linking, fluorescence emission, and attachment of ligands through click chemistry. Synthetic mRNA has been proven effective in numerous applications beneficial for human health such as immunizing patients against cancer and infections diseases, alleviating diseases by restoring deficient proteins, converting somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells to use in regenerative medicine therapies, and engineering the genome by making specific alterations in DNA. This introductory chapter provides background information relevant to the following 20 chapters of this volume that present protocols for these applications of synthetic mRNA.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks all those who generously contributed their time and talent to write protocols for this volume as well as Dr. Anren Song, University of Texas Medical School, and Dr. Dixie Jones, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, for assistance with the scientific literature.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, 71130-3932, USA

    Robert E. Rhoads

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    Robert E. Rhoads

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Rhoads, R.E. (2016). Synthetic mRNA: Production, Introduction into Cells, and Physiological Consequences. In: Rhoads, R. (eds) Synthetic mRNA. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1428. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3625-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3625-0_1

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