Stroke treatment drug wins Stem Cell Innovation Award

The idea of ​​​​creating drugs to support stroke treatment using secretions from stem cells won the Stem Cell Innovation Award with a reward of 20 million VND, awarded on the morning of December 3.

Research by To Quoc Hoa, Huynh Dao Minh Chau and Vo Truong Dang Huy , students of the University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City National University (HCMUS) with the goal of creating an affordable oral medicine to support Restore nerve cell function in the brain of stroke patients. The group used secretions from stem cells called exosomes that have properties similar to stem cells.

Exosomes have been proven by scientists to be effective in treating blood vessel blockages, broken blood vessels and stroke. From this basis, the team built a process for cultivating exosomes and adding substances to create oral capsules. When the drug enters the body, it passes through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream and travels to the brain. When entering the brain, exosomes can cross the cerebral vascular barrier, stimulate damaged cells to regenerate new blood vessels and save nerve cells. This helps promote new nerve and blood vessel formation for stroke patients.

A group of students from the University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City National University won the 8th Stem Cell Innovation Award, on the morning of December 3. (Photo: Ha An)

Evaluating the idea, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Van Phuc, Director of the Stem Cell Institute (SCI-HCMUS), said that there are currently quite a few studies using exosomes to support stroke treatment. However, these studies are aimed at hospital treatment solutions according to doctor's regimens and require some time. While the group's research aims to create a drug that supports immediate stroke treatment, it can be used at home to support patients before going to the hospital. "The idea is very good, but the team needs to do it in practice on animals to prove its feasibility. This is a long process and can completely fail, but it will have great potential if successful ," Associate Professor Phuc said.

Part of the team's exosome-containing capsule manufacturing process. (Photo: NVCC)

In addition to the first prize, the Organizing Committee of the contest awarded the second prize of 10 million VND to the idea of ​​a co-culture system between liver parenchymal cells and bile duct epithelium in bear bile production by a group of students at the University of Science. Nature, Ho Chi Minh City National University.

The idea that won third prize with a reward of 5 million VND belonged to the project of contact lenses containing exosomes to help prevent blindness complications in night blindness patients of a group of students from High School for the Gifted, Ho Chi Minh City National University and Tran High School. Dai Nghia.

The organizing committee awarded 9 consolation prizes worth 1 million VND to competing groups and prizes for the introduction video with the highest number of likes.

Stem Cell Innovation Contest is organized annually by the Stem Cell Institute of the University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City National University for students who are passionate about stem cell research. The 8th competition held this year attracted more than 260 projects from teams from 30 universities and 20 high schools. After the rounds, the organizing committee selected 10 projects to enter the final round with a total prize value of 150 million VND. In addition, competing teams that win high prizes are sponsored for incubation, training, and internship courses to nurture their passion and turn ideas into products at the Stem Cell Institute.