Interview with Prof. Dr. Silvio Tafuri, the Session Chair of the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Vaccines

1. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?

I’m a physician; I achieved a post-graduate degree in Public Health and a Ph.D. in public health and food safety. I’m a full professor of public health at the University of Bari, a consultant in the Bari Policlinico University Hospital, and the chief of the Vaccinology and Hospital Hygiene Unit.

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

The process of open access publishing was largely discussed in the past, as a milestone for advances in general knowledge and to support strategies of research and development. The process was crucial during the pandemic, but I think that after the end of the pandemic, it is not conceived as a priority for international agencies; so, it is important to reinforce the efforts in this field.

3. What is your impression of the Vaccines journal?

Vaccines journal began as one of the reference journals in the field of vaccinology. Due to the large number of articles submitted, it is important to ensure the high standard of the editorial process and the accountability of the system.

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?

After the pandemic, it is very important to monitor the level of vaccine hesitancy in the general population, which is expected to increase. One of the main topics related to this field is vaccine safety and the occurrence of adverse events. Another important topic for the future will be the role of vaccination in the control of antimicrobial resistance.

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

Vaccinology is beginning to be a multidisciplinary field. So, it is important that research groups must be formed by professionals from several areas of knowledge (biology, immunology, and public health, but also applied medical science, humanities, and social science) and that young researchers will be prone to be integrated into this multidisciplinary approach.

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

This e-conference meets the need for the important and emergent topic of vaccinology, with an international faculty of high profile. I think that it will be a very important occasion for my research group and others who will take part in this appointment.

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

Several vaccine strategies, including mRNA vaccines, require substances that can enhance targeted delivery and immunogenicity; these components, known as vaccine adjuvants, are essential for vaccine research. Despite their adjuvant role in subunit vaccines, recent data support the indispensable adjuvant role of LNPs in mRNA vaccines. Indeed, LNPs do not only deliver the mRNA, but they also kick-start the immune response, via inducing IL-6 and MCP-1 secretion to help the adaptive immune response, thus becoming vaccine adjuvants. The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Vaccines invites abstracts from experts in the field of vaccine adjuvants, including speakers from industry, government, and academia. We welcome researchers to present their novel findings on the mechanisms of action of adjuvants, pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), saponins, adjuvant systems, emulsion-based vaccine adjuvants, and LNPs. A specialized session will be held to showcase commercials featuring new products and technologies, providing ample opportunities for exploration.