TITLE: Understanding the Purpose of Every Nucleotide in the Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine, a Hands-on Activity for Virtual Presentations
AUTHORS: Harley King

[DESCRIPTION]
<div class = "text-blocks"><div class = "text-block">I was invited to give a STEM-related virtual presentation at a high school. I wanted to discuss the exhilarating science behind novel COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, and I wanted students to complete a hands-on activity. I chose the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (Comirnaty) because a whole semester's worth of molecular biology is wrapped in a nice liposomal package. I discuss mRNA background, differences in DNA vs RNA and features of the vaccine using the slides. Students print the 4 page worksheet that accompanies the presentation. In addition to the worksheet,  I invite students to bring 6 different colored markers, tape and scissors. The markers are used to color the 4,284 bases and their function.</div><div class = "text-block">References</div><div class = "text-block"><span style = "font-weight:bold;">1) </span><a href="https://berthub.eu/articles/posts/reverse-engineering-source-code-of-the-biontech-pfizer-vaccine/" style = "text-decoration:underline;color:blue;cursor:pointer;"><span style = ":;font-weight:bold;">Reverse Engineering the source code of the BioNTech/Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine</span></a></div><div class = "text-block"><span style = "font-weight:bold;">2) </span><a href="https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2021/01/11/rna-vaccines-and-their-lipids" style = "text-decoration:underline;color:blue;cursor:pointer;"><span style = ":;font-weight:bold;">RNA Vaccines And Their Lipids</span></a></div><div class = "text-block"><span style = "font-weight:bold;">3) </span><a href="https://blog.jonasneubert.com/2021/01/10/exploring-the-supply-chain-of-the-pfizer-biontech-and-moderna-covid-19-vaccines/" style = "text-decoration:underline;color:blue;cursor:pointer;"><span style = ":;font-weight:bold;">Exploring the Supply Chain of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines</span></a></div></div>

[STEPS]
?. [Discuss RNA]
The role of RNA in biology's central dogma.
?. [Discuss RNA]
The processing of protecting RNA (5' cap and polyA tail) and its translocation to the cytoplasm.
?. [Discuss RNA]
DNA vs RNA
?. [Discuss RNA]
ACTIVITY1.Use a red pen and draw a vertical line at the beginning of the 5’ UTR. This represents your protective RNA cap.2.Use a marking pen and draw a vertical line at the endo of the 3’ UTR.This represents your protective polyA tail. 3.On your printout, fold the introns back (or scissors to cut them out)Use tape to link the exons.
?. [Comirnaty Novelties]
RNA vaccineRNA wrapped up in a liposomeRNA is data uploaded to cellsUracil transformed into 1-methyl-3’-pseudouridylyl
?. [Comirnaty Novelties]
Liposomes dispersed in body find dendritic cells.
?. [Process of mRNA Becoming a Vaccine]
Liposomes containing mRNA bind with dendritic cells and release their payload. mRNA is translated.SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein translocates to the endoplasmic reticulum due to signaling peptide. Expresses on cell surface and presented to CD4 T-cells in lymph nodes.Stimulates immunogenic response; antibodies bind spike protein.
?. [Process of mRNA Becoming a Vaccine]
ACTIVITYUse the handout and nucleotide numbers to identify the bases and their functions in the Pfizer Vaccine.Can you find the AUG start codon?