Queensland is cementing its global leadership in mRNA science with the launch of a new protocol designed to make its research more accessible than ever before.
Researchers from The University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) have developed a game-changing protocol for producing mRNA – a critical ingredient used in cutting-edge vaccines and therapies.
Professor Tim Mercer, Director of AIBN’s state-of-the-art BASE Facility – the largest manufacturer of mRNA in Australia – said the protocol is set to become the gold standard for mRNA production, enabling more researchers around the world to create and test next-generation medicines.
“Our new protocol will accelerate the development and evaluation of potential mRNA-based therapies, so that now the smallest of labs can contribute to global efforts.”
The protocol – available from today – was developed following an invitation from Nature Protocols, who approached the AIBN team to create a global resource that would help guide scientists in producing research-grade mRNA.
“There was clear demand – people were coming to us, so we had a real sense of how much interest there was in advancing this technology,” Tim said.
“mRNA has huge potential to be developed to treat all manner of infectious and chronic diseases, including cancer.
It’s great to see more researchers coming into the mRNA space, accelerating efforts to find new medicines sooner.”
How does it work?
The protocol provides a clear, step-by-step guide to the mRNA production process – from sequence design and synthesis to formulation and quality control – removing technical and logistical barriers for both academic and industry researchers.
“This is about democratising access to allow scientists to develop their own mRNA candidates more easily and affordably,” BASE Facility Deputy Director Associate Professor Seth Cheetham said.
“Until now, producing high-quality mRNA has largely been limited to specialised facilities like BASE.
Our protocol steps you through exactly how to make it, widening the door to enable and accelerate the discovery of next-generation medicines and therapies.”
New software aids manufacturing
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“There are many different ways to design an mRNA – there are more ways to design it than there are atoms in the universe,” Associate Professor Cheetham said.
“Because the design space is so vast, it’s critical to have tools that help researchers quickly narrow down the best options and make informed design decisions.
The software helps researchers navigate those options so they can efficiently develop mRNA medicines.”
Global collaboration remains key
By making the protocol publicly available, the team expects its evolvement to accelerate, thanks to global collaboration efforts.
“With contributions from researchers around the world, the protocol will only get stronger and more refined over time,” Professor Mercer said.
“The more advancements we can make using this technology, the more we can contribute to improving public health and delivering better health outcomes for the community.”
Since opening in 2021, the BASE Facility has been busy creating thousands of mRNA samples for research labs around the country.
They’ve since doubled in size and are equipped to deliver thousands of research-grade mRNA doses annually, supporting a growing pipeline of preclinical vaccines and therapies around Australia.
The new protocol highlights the commitment AIBN has to collaboration and knowledge-sharing to solve society’s biggest problems.
The paper is published in Nature Protocols available here.
Want to learn more about this story or how you can partner with AIBN on ground-breaking research?
Contact us via email: communications@aibn.uq.edu.au
or phone: +61 414 984 324
