UQ to build pilot facility to produce revolutionary mRNA vaccines for research

Their COVID-19 jab may have hit a hurdle, but UQ researchers are exploring a whole new stream of revolutionary treatments.

The University of Queensland has received funding to build a pilot facility to produce mRNA vaccines and cancer therapies for research, on the back of successful COVID-19 jabs using the technology.

Researcher Tim Mercer predicted the new $2.2 million facility, which could start producing experimental vaccines within months, would “supercharge” mRNA research in Australia.

Messenger RNA jabs work in a different way to traditional vaccines.

They use only the genetic code of a pathogen, rather than the entire virus or bacteria, or a fragment of the pathogen, to produce an immune response.

University of Queensland researcher Associate Professor Tim Mercer. Picture: University of Queensland

mRNA vaccines work by using genetic material part of a pathogen, such as a viral protein. The body then produces antibodies against this protein and this provides immune protection against the virus.

The Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are both mRNA vaccines.

Associate Professor Mercer said the new facility would focus on accelerating mRNA research in Australia.

“It’s certainly exciting,” he said.

“It’s really to get that Australian research on the front foot when it comes to this emerging technology. COVID-19’s obviously put a large spotlight on it.

“These mRNA vaccines have incredible potential.

“They can be designed very quickly, as we’ve observed with COVID-19 during the pandemic with Moderna and Pfizer.”

Prof Mercer said he expected mRNA technology to eventually be used to make experimental vaccines designed to provide immune protection against different types of cancer.

“We are very enthusiastic to essentially galvanise Australian research to try and take advantage of this new weapon,” he said.

The Victorian Government recently announced $50 million to fund mRNA COVID-19 vaccine production in Australia.

Prof Mercer said the pilot UQ facility, to be based at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, was designed only to produce mRNA vaccines for research.

The facility, expecting to be running by the third quarter of the year, has received $1.1 million from Therapeutic Innovation Australia, matched by UQ.