Polymers Strive for Accuracy: From Sequence-Defined Polymers to mRNA Vaccines against COVID-19 and Polymers in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics.
J Am Chem Soc
; 143(49): 20529-20545, 2021 12 15.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1541126
ABSTRACT
Unquestionably, polymers have influenced the world over the past 100 years. They are now more crucial than ever since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The pandemic paved the way for certain polymers to be in the spotlight, namely sequence-defined polymers such as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), which was the first type of vaccine to be authorized in the U.S. and Europe to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This rise of mRNA will probably influence scientific research concerning nucleic acids in general and RNA therapeutics in specific. In this Perspective, we highlight the recent trends in sequence-controlled and sequence-defined polymers. Then we discuss mRNA vaccines as an example to illustrate the need of ultimate sequence control to achieve complex functions such as specific activation of the immune system. We briefly present how mRNA vaccines are produced, the importance of modified nucleotides, the characteristic features, and the advantages and challenges associated with this class of vaccines. Finally, we discuss the chances and opportunities for polymer chemistry to provide solutions and contribute to the future progress of RNA-based therapeutics. We highlight two particular roles of polymers in this context. One represents conjugation of polymers to nucleic acids to form biohybrids. The other is concerned with advanced polymer-based carrier systems for nucleic acids. We believe that polymers can help to address present problems of RNA-based therapeutic technologies and impact the field beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Antiviral Agents
/
Polymers
/
COVID-19 Vaccines
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
MRNA Vaccines
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Topics:
Vaccines
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Am Chem Soc
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Jacs.1c08484
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