BASE Facility, supported by Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA) through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), has published a new open-access protocol that simplifies and streamlines the production of high-quality mRNA for research and preclinical applications.
Published in Nature Protocols, this end-to-end guide walks researchers through the complete mRNA production workflow—from sequence design and DNA template generation to in vitro transcription, lipid nanoparticle formulation, and cellular transfection. Importantly, the protocol integrates quality control steps at each stage, helping ensure that the resulting mRNA is reliable, pure, and suitable for both in vitro and in vivo studies.
“This is about democratising access to allow scientists to develop their own mRNA candidates more easily and affordably. Until now, producing high-quality mRNA has largely been limited to specialised facilities like BASE. Our protocol steps you through exactly how to make it, widening the door to enable and accelerate the discovery of next-generation medicines and therapies.”
With the rise of mRNA-based vaccines, therapies, gene-editing tools, and cell therapies, the need for accessible, high-quality mRNA manufacturing methods has never been greater. The BASE team’s protocol is designed to be performed in standard molecular biology laboratories, using straightforward techniques and avoiding the need for specialised equipment. It’s a practical solution for researchers looking to produce small batches of mRNA quickly and reliably.
The protocol was assembled by BASE scientists Dr Laura Leighton, Dr Natasha Chaudhary (first co-authors), Ms Hannah Tompkins, Mr Abhishek Kulkarni, Ms Nissa Carrodus, Dr Magdalena Budzinska, Ms Sneha Lakshmandas, A/Prof Seth Cheetham & Prof Timothy Mercer (co-senior authors).
By making this validated protocol freely available, the BASE team aims to democratise access to mRNA manufacturing, empowering more researchers to accelerate discovery and development across a wide range of biomedical fields.
Read the protocol HERE.
Access the mRNArchitect software HERE.
