'An amazing feat' | Pandemic paves way toward future of mRNA vaccines Scientists have been studying mRNA for decades, but two COVID-19 vaccines have shown how the technology could be used to treat cancer and other viruses. Author: Tyler Paley Updated: 11:34 PM EDT June 15, 2021 TOLEDO, Ohio — Scientists say mRNA could change the way we develop a variety of vaccines moving forward and some argue the limit does not exist when it comes to treating other illnesses than COVID-19. But, what is mRNA? In a nutshell, it's a molecule that acts as a set of instructions for our cells. "If I handed you a book, DNA is the whole book; mRNA is kind of like handing you the copied, highlighted chapter that I want you to read so that we're making sure you get it right," Dr. Adam Walter, medical director at the ProMedica Cancer Institute, explained.