Deploy scale program on stem cells

A national scale program on stem cell research and application is being implemented by the Ministry of Science and Technology. On December 10, Dr. Phan Toan Thang (Singapore National University) is currently in Hanoi telling about this program.

Over the past few years, two research groups have been developed to apply stem cells (TBG) from the umbilical cord to apply in Vietnam. One group in Hanoi was led by Prof. Dr. Pham Manh Hung and a group in Singapore led by Dr Phan Toan Thang. Between the two groups, there will be formal cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is expected that the signing will take place immediately this month.

On the occasion of returning to Vietnam to carry out this signing, Dr. Phan Toan Thang said that his team trained human resources to help the TBG group in Vietnam. Human resource training is held at the National University of Singapore.

Prof. Phan Toan Thang (fourth on the left) in a TBG application workshop held in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: document, VNN)

Later, this human resource can be sent for training in the United States, Japan, the thriving powers of TBG. In addition, the two sides cooperate to carry out many researches. Some studies can be done in Vietnam. Others require high-tech science to be implemented in Singapore.

The research team of Dr. Phan Toan Thang committed not to charge technology transfer fees.

Dr. Phan Toan Thang said: 'I want to do something for my colleagues, my country. Later, when the results come together, intellectual property rights will be shared. The model above, we have implemented with many other countries'.

Funding for this TBG research project by the State is still not available. However, the units participating in the project are looking for sources or self-financing, not waiting for the State for more than 1 year. The upcoming signing document is an important step to show the formalization, recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the investment is more stable.

Need Vietnamese stem cell brand

According to Dr. Phan Toan Thang, currently, almost Vietnam has no stem cell industry!

Some Korean companies have offered to cooperate with TBG for skin care cosmetics. However, when he suggested to bring back to Vietnam to produce, they said, production in Vietnam is cheaper but it is necessary to carry the Singapore brand. Otherwise, their customers in Japan, Korea and Europe will not believe.

" The brand is very important in medical research and general TBG research ", according to Dr. Phan Toan Thang.

It is intended that after signing the technology transfer agreement and having research results, the two groups of scientists in the program will post the research results in international scientific journals and can publish in associations. International Conference. The purpose of forming the brand TBG Vietnam - Singapore.

In this field, since 2000, the Singapore government has been paying attention to branding for stem cell research and application.

Breed mice in the laboratory to study TBG.(Photo: Vinh Giang)

When meeting international scientists to collaborate in the field of TBG, the Singapore Government will make a list of scientists, introducing how many international journal articles they have on this issue. At the same time, they introduced research by internationally recognized scientists in Singapore.

The weakness of Vietnam is that there is currently nothing to publish. When we want to invite international friends to invest, but we have nothing to introduce them about their abilities, without technology for them to believe, then lose!

Pull the customer to me

One criterion that the two research groups set out to bring successful foreign research into Vietnamese applications .

The program is sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology and will be applied to stem cell research results. At the same time, train doctors, technicians who are familiar with this technology and apply treatment to patients.

After passing this stage, two groups of scientists will return to basic research, conducting in-depth research on pathological mechanisms. Currently, the research group of stem cell application in Vietnam (in collaboration with Dr. Phan Toan Thang's group) has been studying animals for the whole year. About 2 years will have many applications to treat diseases for humans.

The first project to use TBG to treat burn injuries at the National Burn Institute will be done on rabbits, on pigs and another year will be done clinically on humans.

"There is a fact that we often say we are good, but patients pull together through foreign countries for treatment. Not only do we think it is necessary to think of pulling foreign patients back and forth with benefits. In my opinion, for example, low cost . ", Dr. Phan Toan Thang said.

Science - Technology with the program of research and application of stem cells

1. The research team applied umbilical cord stem cells to treat skin lesions and chronic long-term injuries.

2. Project team to research and study umbilical cord membranes to study new drugs with herbal origin.

3. The project team investigates differentiating stem cells from the umbilical cord into cells of the heart muscle and nerve cells.

4. Project team to establish a bank of umbilical cord stem cell banks for the community at MekoPhar Pharmaceutical Company (HCMC).

5. The project of research on the application of umbilical cord membranes in the treatment of metabolic disorders of the liver and hemophiliac group A (Central Children Hospital).

6. Project team to use umbilical cord stem cells to combine the method of acupuncture to treat peripheral neuropathy of lower limbs by (Central Acupuncture Hospital).

7. Research project on research and application from umbilical cord membrane to treatment of spinal cord paralysis (Cho Ray Hospital).

The research team of Dr. Phan Toan Thang (National University of Singapore has specific support for Vietnam TBG project groups, such as: Training 3 times for the National Burn Institute on stem cell technology from skin and umbilical cord membrane training, training for MekoPhar Pharmaceutical Company, Cho Ray Hospital, Military Medical Academy on stem cell technology to treat heart diseases. National Hospital of Pediatrics and Military Medical Academy.

At the same time, the Ministry of Science and Technology is also implementing commercialization activities, building the stem cell industry in Vietnam to serve domestic demand and export in the future.

Vinh Giang