Starting a science

6.45 am on December 21, everyone at the molecular biotechnology laboratory (Department of Biology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences) bursts out of happiness when under the fluorescence microscope the green light is emitted. from zebra fish body (Danio rerio) newly hatched!

So for the first time, Vietnam has created transgenic live animals, marking an initial successful step in gene technology on animal objects in Vietnam .

Le Thanh Long, a member of the research team, excitedly recounted: "Struggling to adjust the glasses for the right wave for a while, we held our breaths anxiously to see the results after a hard working night, then almost crazy to see Zebrafish emits green light! ". Phone rang, MSc Phan Kim Ngoc and Prof. Dr. Tran Minh Thuoc - Vice Rector of the school, directly in charge of biotechnology - " rush " right to the laboratory. Witness the glowing fish swimming on the screen, all embracing.

Apply " gene gun "

Potential applications

Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Thanh Ho - former Dean of Biology, one of the leading scientists in Vietnam biotechnology - said: "The creation of transgenic animals marked the beginning of the public in gene technology on animal objects in Vietnam.

Successful gene manipulation on the animal body has many important meanings in medicine and life such as: application in gene therapy (repairing and replacing damaged genes of people .); help create pets with desirable traits (plenty of milk, health, lean meat, lots of laying .); preserve and preserve rare and precious genetic resources; create creatures that feature "clean up" the environment . ".

It is known that the world has been successful in the manipulation and gene transfer technology on animal bodies since 2001.

By gene shooting method, the team conducted GFP gene transfer from jellyfish into fertilized eggs of zebrafish. Processed, eggs develop into embryos, embryos develop into individuals (zebrafish) glow. The process sounds simple, but it all went through three years of " struggling " to pursue, not counting how many times it failed.

In addition to scientific and skillful work techniques, it also requires accuracy every second, every minute. A variety of other conditions require rigidity in permeability, light, temperature . in sterile conditions.

Applying the microinjection method to eggs (as the world has successfully done) but not making the results, MS Kim Ngoc decided to work with his colleagues to use "gene gun". The group said it has read a lot of documents in the world and found many application labs, experimenting on many water insects and some other terrestrial animals. So try it! Mr. Ngoc explained: "Caviar is laid out outside, eggshell will be hard, so we think it is necessary to use a strong method of firing genes, the success rate will be higher".

Results, December 21: 12 eggs hatched; December 22: 23 eggs hatch. More amazing, all the eggs have hatched, every one glows. This means that gene integration for living children reaches 100%. After the research results were successful, Mr. Ngoc said: there are now many calling units that have put the issue of cooperation for technology transfer. And this young team is continuing gene transfer technology in pigs and mice.

Believe in the younger generation!

3 am, 12 pm, 9 pm . any time, young people in the research group also accept to work, because the research must depend on the sample. Samples are always done at that time! The study has lasted for three years, this student has graduated, another student has continued on the accumulated platform left from before. The time of collecting embryos is not possible, the samples are dead, the facilities are difficult, the rooms are narrow . failing so much that the money is completely clean but no one dares to ask for money from the teacher because . shy! Everyone actively buys out money to buy chemicals, samples . sometimes even hungry until he finds out. All for a true passion and desire in scientific research!

In addition to the most " old " instructor, Ms Phan Kim Ngoc, the remaining five characters of the research team are all very young: three lecturers at the age of 23-24 and two last year students, Mr. Ngoc said: "In the association A few months ago, there were many opinions discussed with this research because it was too expensive and difficult, but I decided to do it! " He affirmed as a message: " In scientific research in particular Believe in the younger generation, they can do what the older generation cannot do. That means the teacher needs to be responsible and create conditions for you to work. " And the young person has done it, even at the beginning .

MSc Phan Kim Ngoc and genetic manipulation team at the molecular biotechnology laboratory - Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Sciences (Photo: Thanh Dam)

LE QUNHNH