mRNA

The future of RNA-based technology
Exploring RNA-based technology, its achievements, its future promises, and what it means for European healthcare: This was the aim of this year's STOA Annual Lecture, the 20th edition of a yearly event organised by the European Parliament's Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA). As its keynote lecturer, STOA welcomed Professor Özlem Türeci, ...

RNA technology already helped thousands of patients
"RNA-based technology can help babies with spinal muscular atrophy reach milestones such as sitting, standing and walking", says rare disease expert Prof. Annemieke Aartsma-Rus (Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands). This Wednesday 25 January the European Parliament's Panel for the Future of Science and Technology will hold its Annual Lecture on the future of RNA-based ...

A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Professor Johan Neyts about COVID-19 vaccines
Johan Neyts is full professor of virology at the University of Leuven, Belgium. He teaches virology at the medical school and at the school of dentistry. His lab is deeply involved in the development of antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. A second focus of the lab is the development of novel vaccine technologies. To that end, the ...

A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Professor Earl Brown about COVID-19 vaccines
Professor Earl Brown is specialized in virology and microbiology. His main activities are on viral genetics and evolution, mainly directed at understanding how viruses cause disease (pathogenesis) or become adapted to new hosts; and the mechanism used by influenza virus to control the antiviral interferon response. He has experience with several viruses, including hepatitis C, ...

Covid-19: different types of vaccines and how they work
A range of Covid-19 vaccines are being developed worldwide and the differences between them can be confusing. How do the new mRNA vaccines work? What about vector vaccines? We asked scientists to give us an insight into the different types of Covid-19 vaccines.

An expert’s opinion: An interview with Ayman El-Mohandes on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and public health messaging
Ayman El-Mohandes, Dean of City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) and co-coordinator of a global survey on potential hesitancy to accept a proven, safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, speaks to us about the findings and their implications for halting the spread of the virus. What does ...

An expert’s opinion: An interview with Melinda Mills on the behavioural factors underlying COVID-19 vaccine uptake
We speak with Melinda Mills, Director of the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science at the University of Oxford and lead author of the British Academy and Royal Society report on Vaccine Deployment. She calls for open dialogue about vaccine concerns and the need to help people spot misinformation. How did the Vaccine Deployment report come ...

Vaccination policy in times of Covid-19
As multiple COVID-19 vaccines are emerging, what can be done to tackle vaccination hesitancy and ensure rapid and equitable deployment?