Vietnam has developed demonstrated skill base in electronics, computing and software and has been able to attract both domestic and overseas investments in these fields. Not so well known is the biotechnology research in the country. Vietnam has recognized that biotechnology can help the country improve healthcare, as demonstrated by the biotech remedies developed in technologically advanced countries for hemophilia and detection of genetic diseases.
Developing countries like Vietnam face health problems such as increasing incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, organisms that cause TB and malaria that acquire increasing resistance to conventional drugs, and outbreaks of infectious diseases like the flu. Biotechnology can help in this context by developing better preventive, diagnostic and treatment tools.
Researchers at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City had conducted a series of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments starting mid 1990s. PCR is a DNA-based diagnostic method for quickly and accurately detecting pathogens and its use has expanded rapidly since then. It is being used widely in Vietnam now to detect various local influenza viruses, and diagnosing malaria and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Well equipped biotechnology research facilities, such as the Institute of Biotechnology and the Military Medical University in Hanoi with microarrays, high-resolution electron microscopes and mass spectrometers, are being established in the country. These institutions are able to carry the research into fields other than PCRs.
Read the report of one top researcher in Vietnam at SciDev.net.
