Interview with Prof. Mona Mohsen, the Session Chair of the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Vaccines

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?

My name is Prof. Mona Mohsen, a group leader at University of Bern, Switzerland. My research concentrates on the promising domain of cancer immunology and immunotherapy, with a special focus in developing innovative therapeutic strategies such as cancer vaccines, immune-enhancers, and checkpoint inhibitors. I have applied these strategies against solid tumors, including breast cancer, melanoma, and more recently, head and neck carcinoma. My team extensively employs virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) as a platform for developing innovative and personalized therapeutic cancer vaccines.

2. What do you think of the development status and trends of open access publishing?

Open access publishing continues to grow in prominence in 2024 due to its advantages in increasing the accessibility and visibility of research. Open access publishing allows unrestricted access to scholarly articles, making research findings available to a global audience without financial barriers. Many funding agencies, institutions and universities increasingly support open access to ensure that research outputs have maximal impact and reach. However, challenges such as sustainable funding models and maintaining high-quality peer review processes remain critical for its long-term success and growth.

3. What is your impression of the Vaccines journal?

Vaccines journal is an internationally renowned, peer-reviewed, open access publication issued monthly by MDPI. Currently boasting an Impact Factor of 5.2 (2023) and ranked Q1 in the “Immunology” category, it offers a rapid publication process beneficial for researchers. The journal features high-quality original papers, reviews and case reports across various domains including immunology, viral immunology, immunotherapy, vaccine development and technology, and adjuvants. Overall, Vaccines is positioned as a leading journal in vaccinology, poised for continued growth and significant contributions to the field. Our laboratory actively contributes original research and reviews to Vaccines, focusing on advancements in vaccinology development (primarily focusing on VLPs). Our publications have garnered robust citation rates, reflecting their impact and relevance in the field.

4. What do you think will be the research hotspots in the field of vaccines in the next few years, and can you describe them to us?

I believe that the field of vaccinology (prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines) is rapidly expanding, with various platforms being utilized to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. Important examples include virus-like particles (VLPs), mRNA and viral-vectors. Furthermore, the development of novel new adjuvants remains a crucial area of research to improve the vaccine stability and enhance immunogenicity. The concept of personalized cancer vaccines tailored to each individual’s genetic profile or mutations is a gaining ground. Developing vaccines with cross-protection and broad spectrum is crucial in the field to combat emerging infectious diseases and to address seasonal variations. Mucosal-based vaccines have emerged as a promising area of research, aiming to induce robust immune responses via routes like oral, nasal, or pulmonary administration. Concurrently, there is a rising focus on developing therapeutic vaccines against chronic diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, driven by advances in immunotherapy. Moreover, the integration of AI-based technologies (machine-learning and deep-learning) is revolutionizing vaccine development by enhancing epitope design, predicting immunogenicity, and optimizing production processes, reflecting ongoing innovation in the field.

5. Can you give any advice on academic research for young scholars in related fields?

The research field of vaccinology for young researchers holds immense promise, brimming with exciting techniques such as ssRNA sequencing, omics, imaging techniques and AI, machine and deep-learning technology. These advancements would significantly enhance our capability to design and develop new vaccines with heightened efficacy.

6. Could you kindly share with us your thoughts and outlook on this E-conference?

IECV 2024, hosted by MDPI’s Vaccines, offers a tremendous opportunity for researchers and professionals in the field of vaccinology worldwide to engage in a world-class e-conference.

IECV 2024 offers six main sessions covering cancer vaccines, immunotherapy and immunoprevention, challenges in developing a Dengue vaccine, vaccine adjuvants, mRNA vaccines, advancement in vaccine design for broad protection and finally novel assays for evaluating responses to vaccination. The conference features leaders and professionals in vaccinology from around the globe. The registration for IECV 2024 is free, enabling students, researchers, and a diverse audience to participate.

7. Could you please provide a brief introduction to the session you are chairing, titled “Vaccine Adjuvants”?

This session highlights the forefront of cancer vaccine advancements, with a focus on personalized vaccines. We aim to explore diverse platforms for both therapeutic and prophylactic cancer vaccines, including VLPs, peptides, proteins, DNA, RNA, dendritic cells, whole cells, and viral vectors. Additionally, the session covers the latest in cancer immunotherapy, encompassing checkpoint inhibitors, therapeutic antibodies, oncolytic viruses, and combination therapies. Key areas of interest include vaccination strategies (adjuvant vs. neoadjuvant), novel administration routes (intranasal, intratumor, intranodal), and the integration of AI-based histology methods for detecting therapeutic efficacy and prognosis. The conference will discuss immunoprevention strategies against cancer, emphasizing the interplay between the microbiome and cancer in both preventive and therapeutic contexts.