Developing chemically modified mRNA for new human therapies
Official title: Toward synthetic chemically defined mRNA for human therapeutics
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10927440 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on making mRNA treatments better so they can help people with genetic diseases, aiming for safer and longer-lasting therapies that go beyond just vaccines.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $230,891 |
| NIH project number | 5R21GM150088-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10927440 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with genetic disorders or those who may benefit from advanced mRNA-based therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve genetic components or those who are not eligible for mRNA therapies may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving messenger RNA (mRNA) technology to create more effective human therapeutics beyond vaccines. By chemically modifying mRNA, the researchers aim to enhance its stability and effectiveness, allowing it to be used for treating genetic diseases. The approach involves synthesizing mRNA in a way that overcomes current limitations related to manufacturing and patient safety. Patients may benefit from therapies that can provide longer-lasting effects and more precise treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies for genetic diseases and other conditions, significantly improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success with chemically modified nucleic acid drugs, indicating a promising avenue for mRNA therapeutics.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gagnon, Keith Thomas — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Gagnon, Keith Thomas
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.