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messenger RNA
noun
: an RNA produced by transcription that carries the code for a particular protein from the nuclear DNA to a ribosome in the cytoplasm and acts as a template for the formation of that protein compare transfer rna
Examples of messenger RNA in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This research demonstrated that messenger RNA, known as mRNA, is crucial in transcribing genetic information from DNA to protein factories within cells.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
Key to that success are transformative new technologies like messenger RNA, which powered vaccines developed by Pfizer with its partner BioNTech.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 22 Mar. 2024
Beginning in August, the researchers trained their computers on the 33 million cells in the database, focusing on a type of genetic information called messenger RNA.
—Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024
This process, known as gene expression, determines when and where proteins and messenger RNA (mRNA) are made; genes, after all, provide the genetic instructions for the production of proteins.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Personalized mRNA Vaccines Another new technology being used in the development of novel cancer vaccines is messenger RNA (mRNA).
—Jaimie Seaton, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024
Moderna and Pfizer created messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines.
—Ayana Byrd, Health, 7 Jan. 2024
The results are a vindication of sorts for Moderna's strategy to develop new uses for messenger RNA technology used in its COVID-19 vaccine.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 14 Dec. 2023
Earlier this week, the Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded to two scientists whose research laid the groundwork for messenger RNA vaccines that transformed the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.
—Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'messenger RNA.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1961, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near messenger RNA
Cite this Entry
“Messenger RNA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/messenger%20RNA. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Kids Definition
messenger RNA
noun
: an RNA that carries the code for a particular protein from DNA in the nucleus to a ribosome and that acts as a pattern for the formation of that protein compare transfer rna
Medical Definition
messenger RNA
noun
: an RNA produced by transcription that carries the code for a particular protein from the nuclear DNA to a ribosome in the cytoplasm and acts as a template for the formation of that protein
called also mRNA
compare transfer rnaLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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