African Biomedical Symposium Advances Next-Generation Research

Organized by the Helix Biogen Institute, the event brought together scientists, innovators, policymakers, industry leaders, and students under the theme of empowering the next generation to drive global impact in biomedical innovation. The symposium served as a platform for emerging and established researchers to present over 118 selected abstracts, fostering dialogue on translating scientific discoveries into practical applications across the African continent.

One of the key technical presentations focused on the development of a broad-spectrum vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2. Researchers from the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and Lagos State University detailed the expression and validation of an immunomodulatory PanDR and SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain antigen. The study utilized a peptide subunit antigen approach, linking the RBD sequence to the PanDR epitope using a specific linker and codon-optimizing the construct for bacterial expression. In-silico tools were employed to assess the immunogenicity, antigenicity, solubility, and stability of the protein sequence before it was cloned into a pMAL-c6T vector and expressed in Escherichia coli cells.

The integrity of the purified protein in this vaccine study was confirmed through SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses, which revealed a single band upon incubation with appropriate antibodies. The successful synthesis, cloning, expression, and validation of the modified protein indicate its potential for further immunological evaluation as a vaccine candidate.

Another significant area of research presented at the symposium involved the evaluation of Nigerian medicinal plants as antifungal agents. A team from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University and Nnamdi Azikiwe University integrated in silico analysis with in vitro validation to evaluate botanicals for natural hair-care product formulation. Molecular docking and SwissTarget Prediction identified phytochemicals with strong binding affinities for Malassezia protein targets, specifically mono- and diacylglycerol lipase and 14-alpha-demethylase. Ethanol crude extracts of Eucalyptus globulus leaves, Aloe barbadensis Miller gel, and Vernonia amygdalina leaves were subsequently tested against Malassezia isolates.

The results of this antifungal study demonstrated that Eucalyptus extract exhibited the strongest activity, with a 21.25 mm inhibition zone at a concentration of 300 mg/mL. Aloe vera and Bitter Leaf showed moderate activity with inhibition zones of 13.0 mm and 12.0 mm, respectively. A novel anti-dandruff shampoo formulation incorporating 300 mg/mL of each extract achieved an inhibition zone of 19.3 mm against Malassezia species. These findings suggest that indigenous African plants could serve as sustainable antifungal sources for the development of natural hair-care products, offering alternatives to conventional antifungals that are increasingly limited by resistance and side effects.

Public health concerns regarding self-medication were also addressed through a descriptive cross-sectional study of nursing students in Ogbomoso. The research assessed the knowledge, practice, and determinants of self-medication among 161 randomly selected respondents using a self-constructed questionnaire with a reliability index of 0.778. The study found that while 82% of respondents had good knowledge of self-medication, 53.8% still practiced it. Determinants such as ease of use and accessibility were identified by 88% of the participants. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between socio-demographic variables or knowledge levels and self-medication practice, but a significant association was found between determinants and practice.

Addressing the critical gap in reproductive healthcare, a review examined the fertility device landscape in Nigeria compared with high-resource settings. The study noted that while the United States has over 400 IVF clinics performing more than 400,000 cycles annually, Nigeria performs fewer than 10,000 due to limitations in biomedical infrastructure. The review explored opportunities for local biomedical innovation, including AI-driven diagnostics, microfabricated culture devices, low-cost incubators, and telemedicine solutions. Findings indicated that Nigeria’s dependence on imported equipment creates supply bottlenecks and elevated costs, but emerging local innovations show promise for expanding access and reducing the financial burden of fertility care.

Technological advancements in cold-chain logistics were highlighted by a project developing a low-cost, mobile, solar-powered DC refrigerator for vaccine preservation. The system was designed for primary healthcare facilities in rural suburbs with restricted access to electricity. By integrating solar panels, a local hybrid inverter, charge controller, compressor, battery, evaporator, and condenser, the device maintained the World Health Organization recommended vaccine storage temperature of +2 to +8 °C. Testing showed the chamber cools faster at night using a 70AH battery that lasts 4.5 hours, with a coefficient of performance estimated at 0.75, demonstrating its potential for last-mile vaccine storage in remote areas.

Genomic surveillance of viral pathogens was another focus, with a study analyzing Nigerian Zika virus isolates using bioinformatics approaches. Two consensus ZIKV genomes were generated from raw sequencing reads and aligned to the Cuban PRV reference genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Nigerian isolates cluster within the Asian lineage, forming a well-supported subclade with the PRV Cuban reference strain. Sequence divergence was minimal, with pairwise identity exceeding 99.9%, suggesting epidemiological linkage and the persistence of the Asian lineage in Nigeria. This integrated bioinformatics workflow provides a reproducible framework for enhanced genomic surveillance of emerging viral pathogens in the region.

The symposium also featured research on the seroepidemiology of dengue virus among HIV-infected individuals in Anambra State. A cross-sectional study of 188 HIV-infected patients found an overall DENV IgG seroprevalence of 78.2%. Higher seropositivity was observed among participants aged 61–75 years, females, and those with no formal education. Seropositivity was also elevated in patients with high viral loads and low CD4 counts, highlighting the need for targeted surveillance and preventive measures in immunocompromised populations to reduce morbidity associated with co-infections.

Further technical contributions included a machine learning approach for the early prediction of cardiovascular disease. Using a dataset of 1,190 patient records, researchers implemented various predictive models, including Decision Trees, Support Vector Machines, and Random Forests. The Decision Tree model achieved the highest accuracy at 99.16%, demonstrating strong potential for reliable risk prediction. The study outlined plans for a web application using Flask to allow patients to input data and receive immediate cardiovascular risk assessments, aiming to improve patient care and risk management through early detection.

The 1st NextGen Africa Biomedical Science and Innovation Symposium underscored the growing capacity of African scientists to tackle complex biomedical challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. By showcasing innovative research in genomics, diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health, the event fostered mentorship and collaborative opportunities for emerging scientists. The selected abstracts and papers are under consideration for publication in reputable journals, signaling a key step toward advancing biomedical innovation and shaping the future health landscape of Africa.

Additional research presented at the symposium addressed the molecular mechanisms underlying cannabis-induced cardiovascular disease among African youth. A scoping review conducted by researchers from Chiang Mai University, Lister Hospital in Ghana, and the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board in Nigeria examined studies published in the last five years. The review noted that Nigeria and other African countries face a growing drug abuse crisis, particularly involving synthetic cannabis laced with opioids such as fentanyl. Quantitative human studies included in the review reported elevated triglycerides, aspartate transaminase, and creatinine kinase among repeated cannabis users. Proposed mechanisms for these cardiovascular effects include the activation of cannabinoid receptor 1 in brain regions that regulate cardiovascular function, as well as atherogenic plaque formation via oxidative stress induction. However, the authors concluded that current evidence remains inconclusive, noting that only one animal study was identified in the search. They emphasized the need for more laboratory studies in Africa to clarify how cannabis affects atherogenesis, plaque stability, and thrombosis.

In the field of infectious disease control, a narrative review synthesized recent advances in the application of CRISPR/Cas gene-editing technology for malaria management. The review, authored by researchers from Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, examined how this technology has been utilized to modify Plasmodium parasites and Anopheles vectors. The authors highlighted that CRISPR/Cas allows for precise genetic modifications that can identify drug-resistant strains and develop novel diagnostics. A key finding was that gene-drive approaches have been demonstrated to favor vector populations that reduce malaria transmission. The review concluded that these innovations offer a transformative approach to overcoming existing challenges related to drug and insecticide resistance, potentially improving malaria control in endemic regions of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Another study focused on the microbiological assessment of bacterial contaminants on canned drink surfaces in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Researchers swabbed aluminium and tin-plated cans from selected areas and cultured the samples on various media to characterize the isolates. The results indicated that bacterial contamination was present on non-disinfected, rinsed, and disinfected surfaces, with coccobacilli and bacilli predominating. A significant finding was the high level of multidrug resistance observed among the isolates, which showed resistance to 11 of 12 tested antibiotics, representing an overall resistance rate of 99.1%. Specific pathogens, including Corynebacterium spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, exhibited complete resistance to the tested antibiotics. The authors concluded that these surfaces serve as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant bacteria, posing public health risks that necessitate enhanced hygiene practices and regulatory oversight.

Subject of Research: Academic Symposium: Empowering the Next Generation to Drive Global Impact in Biomedical Innovation

Article Title: Academic Symposium: Empowering the Next Generation to Drive Global Impact in Biomedical Innovation

Article References: Academic Symposium: Empowering the Next Generation to Drive Global Impact in Biomedical Innovation. (2026). BMC Proceedings, 20(8), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12919-026-00363-7 (Author names are not included in the publisher’s citation export.)

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12919-026-00363-7

Keywords: Academic, Symposium, Empowering, Next, Generation, Drive, Global, Impact, Biomedical, Innovation, scientific research