Biology subjects

Mensah, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Mensah, S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Virtual Immersion in Biomedical Engineering (VIBE): Exposing undergraduates to culturally sensitive engineering design and professional experiences at scale

ChallengeUndergraduate engineering students often face two major barriers: limited access to culturally sensitive global experiences and difficulty securing design internship opportunities. Traditional study abroad and internship programs can be inaccessible due to financial, geographic, or structural constraints, hindering the development of global competencies and practical engineering skills. Novel InitiativeTo address these gaps, we created the Virtual Immersion in Biomedical Engineering (VIBE) program, a free, inclusive, and scalable summer experience. The 8-week online program blends interactive sessions on the engineering design process (EDP), faculty led research talks, and professional development workshops. Collaborative team-based design challenges focused on global health and healthcare disparities are completed by international teams of 3-4 students. From 2021 to 2024, more than 800 students from over 20 countries participated, with an even balance of male and female students. Student presentations (four-minute videos uploaded to YouTube) were evaluated using rubrics with the aid of a large language model. The assessment revealed substantial learning of the EDP, especially in problem definition and communication. ReflectionParticipant feedback underscored the programs benefits: exposure to global collaboration, professional development, and flexibility. However, common challenges included time zone coordination and team dynamics. Despite these hurdles, VIBE has demonstrated that virtual experiential learning can effectively build engineering design skills and global awareness. It offers a promising, accessible alternative to traditional high-cost global programs, expanding equitable opportunities for engineering students worldwide.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

Single cell RNA-sequencing reveals GINIP-expressing neurons as the main targets of focused ultrasound

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons have a wide range of functions, including touch, pain and itch. These neurons have emerged as promising targets for non-invasive focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation. However, our knowledge of the molecular and physical mechanisms underlying FUS-evoked responses in DRG neurons is limited. Here, we investigate the neuromodulatory capabilities of FUS in cultured DRG neurons in combination with calcium imaging. We find that a 20-MHz FUS burst of 1-ms duration at an acoustic pressure of 5 MPa elicited calcium responses in 52% of DRG neurons. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that the majority of FUS-sensitive neurons belong to three subsets of DRG neurons; C-LTMRs, the MRGPRD-expressing C-HTMRs and A6-LTMRs. FUS excites all these neuronal subtypes by membrane deformation, suggesting a mechanism mediated by mechanosensitive ion channels. Our results identify FUS parameters that activate distinct subsets of DRG neurons and open new avenues for using FUS stimulation to modulate DRG neuron function.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Preclinical Characterization of the Omicron XBB.1.5-Adapted BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, increasing in its potential for greater transmissibility and immune escape, updated vaccines are needed to boost adaptive immunity to protect against COVID-19 caused by circulating strains. Here, we report features of the monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted BNT162b2 vaccine, which contains the same mRNA backbone as the original BNT162b2 vaccine, modified by the incorporation of XBB.1.5-specific sequence changes in the encoded prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S(P2)). Biophysical characterization of Omicron XBB.1.5 S(P2) demonstrated that it maintains a prefusion conformation that adopts a flexible and predominantly open one-RBD-up state, with high affinity binding to the human ACE-2 receptor. When administered as a 4th dose in BNT162b2-experienced mice, the monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine elicited substantially higher serum neutralizing titers against pseudotyped viruses of Omicron XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, XBB.1.16.1, XBB.2.3, EG.5.1 and HV.1 sublineages and the phylogenetically distant BA.2.86 lineage than the bivalent Wild Type + Omicron BA.4/5 vaccine. Similar trends were observed against Omicron XBB sublineage pseudoviruses when the vaccine was administered as a 2-dose primary series in naive mice. Strong S-specific Th1 CD4+ and IFN{gamma}+ CD8+ T cell responses were also observed. These findings, together with prior experience with variant-adapted vaccine responses in preclinical and clinical studies, suggest that the monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted BNT162b2 vaccine is anticipated to confer protective immunity against dominant SARS-CoV-2 strains. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARYThe monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine encodes a prefusion-stabilized spike immunogen that elicits more potent neutralizing antibody responses against homologous XBB.1.5 and other circulating sublineage pseudoviruses compared to the bivalent Wild Type + Omicron BA.4/5 BNT162b2 vaccine, thus demonstrating the importance of annual strain changes to the COVID-19 vaccine.

immunology↗