Mrna

Drew Weissman is an mRNA vaccinologist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He developed the vaccine in collaboration with researchers at a number of institutions.

When a cell “expresses” a gene, it translates the DNA first into a signature messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence and subsequently into a chain of amino acids that forms a protein.

Because of their fragility, the mRNA molecules will quickly fall apart at room temperature. Moderna’s vaccine will need to be refrigerated, and should be stable for up to six months when shipped and stored at –4°F (–20°C).