Researchers at The Florei have developed a new mRNA technology approach to target the toxic protein tau, which is known to accumulate in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Historically, mRNA has been primarily used to develop vaccines, such as those used to combat COVID-19. A recent study published in Brain Communications positioned Florei as a significant contributor to the mRNA field, and Dr. Rebecca Nisbett is taking the technology in a new direction.
Dr. Nisbett explains that mRNA is like a cell’s instruction manual, and when it is absorbed by a cell, it instructs it to produce an antibody. She compares this process to a carpenter using blueprints to build a house. The research team at The Florei used mRNA to instruct cells in cell models to generate RNJ1, an antibody designed by Dr. Nisbett specifically for targeting tau, a harmful protein that forms clumps in the brain cells of people with dementia. This is the first time that mRNA has been investigated for potential use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
PhD student Patricia Wongsodirdjo predicts that their technique can be extended to different therapeutic antibodies and combined with nanoparticle packaging to improve the targeting of toxic substances in the brain and improve patient outcomes compared to standard approaches. Dr. Nisbett acknowledges that further research is needed on RNJ1, but she believes that this strategy holds great promise for developing effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
In conclusion, researchers at The Florei are developing new ways to use mRNA technology against diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Their technique involves using mRNA instructions to produce an antibody that targets specific proteins within brain cells, improving targeting efficiency compared to conventional approaches.
Overall, this innovative approach could lead