Catholic University of Korea

KAIST Researchers Develop Next-Generation mRNA Platform to Overcome Efficacy Loss in Elderly and Obese Patients

- KAIST researchers have developed a next-generation mRNA platform that maintains therapeutic efficacy in elderly and obese patients by precision engineering the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) sequence. - The new mRNA design significantly enhanced protein production and immune response in preclinical models of aging and obesity, overcoming limitations of reduced efficacy in high oxidative stress conditions. - This breakthrough technology is expected to be applicable to mRNA vaccines, gene therapies, and immunotherapies, addressing a critical gap in therapeutic effectiveness for vulnerable patient populations. - The research utilized extensive biodata analysis including RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, and ribosome profiling to identify optimal 5'UTR sequences for consistent protein production across various cellular environments.