This Covid-19 vaccine contains lipid nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 500 nanometers, or 0.0005 millimeters. Each nanoparticle is made up of four different types of lipids, or fatty acids, which serve as packaging for the mRNA. Fatty acids are naturally occurring components of our body’s cells. Each mRNA strand is enveloped by water and contains a blueprint for the spikes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In turn, our bodies manufacture antibodies that will recognize and target the virus spikes for destruction. With antibodies to the virus, our bodies are able to recognize viral invaders, and activate the immune system to destroy them. Learn more in our blog post about the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Animation by Christoph Kuehne.
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