Ode to Messenger RNA

Welcome to Poetry Friday, today hosted by the very talented artist and poet, Michelle Kogan. Stop by to see what she has for us this week. Thank you Michelle for hosting!

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has a safe, quiet, peaceful week.

I am hopeful and exited about taking a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s how we get our lives back. The first vaccines to roll out are composed of Messenger RNA.

The science behind the mRNA, vaccines is miraculous! You can read about mRNA on the Moderna Pharmaceutical cite here. I am in awe of the scientists who created the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines.

In a nutshell the science goes like this, with some illustrations:

DNA is the genetic “code”, the famous Double Helix, that resides in every nucleus in every cell in the body (In every living thing. ) This “code” is the information needed to make all the millions of proteins that power our body. We need proteins for growth and all functions. (such as digestion, breathing, and fighting infection).

Inside the nucleus, the code for a particular protein is copied from DNA onto smaller molecules called mRNA.

This mRNA skedaddles from the nucleus. It floats off in the cytoplasm of the cell to a ribosome, which is a protein factory. Here, the code carried by the mRNA is used by the ribosome to build a protein. Then the protein goes where it’s needed.

That’s amazing, but what does that have to do with the vaccine?

Consider COVID-19:

COVID-19 WITH ITS CHARACTERISTIC SPIKES

The red objects on the virus are called “spike proteins.” Humans have never these or any other part of the virus in our bodies, ever. That’s why it’s called a “novel”virus. Our bodies are defenseless against it. If we want kill this virus before it can harm to us, we have to create antibodies.

What are antibodies? They are immune molecules that can recognize this spike protein. These antibodies will see and attach to the spiky protein. Then, other immune cells will know to gobble it up and say adios!

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain mRNA that codes for the spike protein. After is injected into an arm, it will get into the ribosomes inside our cells and actually go to work making copies of that spike protein.

This is important! Once our bodies makes this this spike protein, the cells of our immune system will learn to make antibodies to it. Armed with the antibody, if we are exposed to Covid-19 when we are out and about and it is seen inside the body, the antibodies will attach to those spike proteins. Then, zap! Our immune cells will destroy the virus before it can make us sick.

The mRNA vaccines are VERY fragile! They are kept cold at 112 degrees below zero, Fahrenheit! When the vaccine is made, each mRNA is surrounded by “lipid” or fat molecules, like boats that help it get where it’s going.

MRNA vaccines are not the only ones being developed. There are other vaccines by other companies that will be somewhat different, but all are intended to kill Covid-19. Hopefully everyone will be as excited to take it as I am. It’s been proven safe and effective.

The science behind this has taken years of research. That was why, when this novel virus came along, scientists had the technology to work quickly to create a vaccine. It’s important to continue to support science because you never know when a bit of knowledge can save millions of lives and even our planet.

Here is my silly ode to mRNA:

ODE TO MESSENGER RNA
 
 It takes a clever
 molecule
 To play a virus
 for a fool.

 Wrapped inside 
 a bag of fat? 
 Who would
 ever think of that?

 You sleep inside
 a tiny vial
 we keep you frozen
 for a while,

 then warm you up
 you do your thing
 Thank you for
 the hope you bring!

© Janice Scully 2020