Revolutionary mRNA Vaccine Technology Developed to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research have adapted the groundbreaking platform used for COVID-19 vaccines to create the world's first mRNA-based vaccine targeting a highly dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacterium. This innovative approach involves synthesizing bacterial proteins within human cells in a way that prompts the immune system to recognize and defend against the pathogen.

In their recent study, the team successfully demonstrated 100% protection in animal models against Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for bubonic and pneumonic plague. The vaccine employs lipid nanoparticles, similar to those used in COVID-19 vaccines, to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) that instructs cells to produce bacterial proteins, thereby inducing a strong immune response.

Unlike viruses, bacteria produce their own proteins and do not rely on host cells to replicate. To overcome this, the scientists developed a unique method in 2023 to produce bacterial proteins within human cells, enabling the immune system to identify and respond to them effectively. This advancement allows for the development of vaccines against bacteria that have traditionally been difficult to target.

The study focused on pneumonic plague, a highly contagious and lethal form of plague that spreads through respiratory droplets, and achieved complete protection after just two doses in animal tests. This represents a significant step forward, as there is currently no approved vaccine for Yersinia pestis in Western countries, and the disease continues to pose a threat through natural outbreaks and potential bioterrorism.

Professor Dan Peer, who leads the research, emphasized the potential of this technology to extend beyond plague to other lethal bacterial infections. The success of this research could lead to a new class of mRNA vaccines designed to combat bacterial pathogens, which have historically been challenging to vaccine.

This innovative work underscores the versatility of mRNA technology and opens new avenues for infectious disease prevention—especially for antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are a growing global health concern.