Researchers at the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS are actively advancing an mRNA vaccine approach for influenza, building on the pivotal work of biochemists Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman. Recognized by the scientific community for their contributions to mRNA science, these foundational insights have long shaped modern vaccine technology, including the platforms behind COVID-19 vaccines developed by major pharmaceutical groups. In this ongoing project, Grigory Stepanov, who leads the genome editing laboratory at the SB RAS institute and also steers development for the Biosan and Biolabmix groups, shared updates with socialbites.ca.
Stepanov explained, “We are developing an mRNA version of the flu vaccine. We have already initiated experiments in mice to verify that the mRNA structure is assembled correctly and that it is delivered efficiently to the target cells. There is a full year of testing ahead, with careful assessment of safety, stability, and immune response.”
He added that the researchers are guided by a principle rooted in the early scholarly article published in 2005 by Karikó and Weissman, which laid out a robust framework for synthesizing messenger RNA that can be harnessed to produce protective proteins in living organisms. This foundational concept underpins the current global interest in rapid, adaptable vaccine platforms and has influenced the trajectory of vaccine development for several respiratory viruses beyond influenza.
According to Stepanov, the Russian mRNA flu vaccine project will be constructed on a universal mRNA platform developed within the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of SB RAS. This platform aims to standardize the delivery and expression system so that a common core can be directed toward different pathogen targets with only targeted nucleotide adjustments.
“Developing a universal structure for artificial mRNA will enable researchers to alter specific nucleotides responsible for targeting different viruses, thereby directing the vaccine’s effect to a range of pathogens in the future,” Stepanov stated, highlighting the strategic potential of a modular mRNA design to respond to evolving public health needs and emerging infectious threats.
Russian scientists have long acknowledged the influence of the Nobel Prize-recognized work on mRNA vaccines, including their impact on COVID-19 vaccines. This recognition underscores the broader impulse within the scientific community to translate foundational molecular insights into practical, scalable immunization strategies that can be deployed in diverse clinical contexts.”