and Furuichi et al., revealed that certain viral and eukaryotic mRNAs have a cap — a methylated guanosine residue linked to the 5′ end of mRNA through an inverted 5′ to 5′ triphosphate bridge.

Alternatively, researchers can also modify the chemical structure of the mRNA cap found at the molecule’s 5’ end. The naturally-occurring cap structure typical in mammalian cells has a ...