Watch this podcast to experience a fascinating explanation of Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. Hint: It involves a car, a mailbox and an envelope containing sheet music for a scary song.
You became aware of mRNA during the coronavirus pandemic when mRNA vaccines were made available to the public and are credited with saving countless lives.
Jonathan Emmons is a scientist working with cutting edge technology that began being developed in the early 1990s. It has broad utility in viral infections like covid and influenza. It also is being explored for other purposes, including cancer, autoimmune conditions, crop improvement and pest control.
Jonathan has a way of explaining mRNA technology that Kathryn finds very clear and appealing, which inspired her to film this podcast with him, so that we can share it with you.
As a child, I liked to question things. I liked to take things apart. I really like to understand the things around me.
- Jonathan Emmons, PhD
Childhood curiosity like Jonathan’s can lead to a life rich in learning, and important discoveries and contributions that make the world a better place. The way Jonathan explains mRNA technology in this podcast is not to be missed.
Jonathan Emmons, PhD has dedicated his academic and professional life to the intersection of engineering and synthetic biology. Growing up in Western Kentucky, he gained an insatiable curiosity and desire at a young age to understand the mysteries of how things worked, leading him naturally toward a career in engineering and research.
I wanted to be some sort of problem solver, so naturally I gravitated toward the STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). I especially liked the engineering and the biology side of things.
- Jonathan Emmons, PhD
Messenger RNA instructs cells in your body to make specific proteins, and proteins play many essential roles in how your body functions. Messenger RNA uses the body’s own biological processes to treat diseases and prevent infections.
Messenger RNA vaccines have been in the public eye for a few years, and you may feel that you understand them well enough to know whether or not you want to get vaccinated.
In case you feel that you can benefit from a clear-minded scientist to give you an interesting visualization, you may find that Jonathan helps you understand even better how mRNA vaccines work in your body.
He also explains that there are viruses that have lived in the animal kingdom for millenia and now are increasingly infecting humans.
I took my love of biology, solving problems, and figuring things out and now I work within the mRNA vaccine realm.
- Jonathan Emmons, PhD