This non-profit program is implemented by Vingroup to create momentum for positive and comprehensive changes in research culture, scientific environment and community life. VINIF announced to sponsor nearly VND 90 billion for 19 Science and Technology projects and 5 Culture - History projects with practical value and potential to contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam. All projects are carefully selected by the Council of Vietnamese and international experts.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Thi Ngoc Lien, Head of IT-BT Convergence Technology Division of VKIST was selected and sponsored by the Council with the project on "Application of low-dimensional nanomaterials to develop biosensors for detecting bacteria and viruses in the air based on lateral flow immunochromatography (LFIA) and reverse transcriptase gene amplification technologies (RT – PCR)".
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Thi Ngoc Lien shared: “During the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of people had to be tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus using a test method based on real-time PCR polymerase chain reaction and a rapid test method using test strips to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen/antibody. According to the updated list of the Department of Medical Equipment & Medical Works - Ministry of Health, as of February 11, 2022, there are 30 types of antibody rapid tests and 83 types of antigen rapid tests that have been approved by the Ministry of Health. For antigen rapid test, there are 3 Vietnamese products in the country and 80 types imported from abroad (in which, there are 69 rapid tests and 11 tests running the immune machine). This shows that the level of preparedness to respond to a microbial pandemic in terms of preventing the spread of disease through rapid diagnostic testing is still weak, unable to meet the domestic demand and still heavily dependent on imported products, causing national economic waste. Therefore, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, the research team came up with the idea to develop a biosensor integrated with nanotechnology that allows rapid detection of pathogenic viruses/bacteria present in the air environment with low cost, easy to use and can be done in local areas with low living conditions such as mountainous and remote areas”.
The research content aims to achieve the following objectives: Synthesize low-dimensional nanostructured gold materials (solid/hollow shell core structure, cluster structure); and apply this material to develop the LFIA technology platform that allows the on-site collection and detection of viruses/bacteria in the airborne environment and the development of quantitative nano-PCR techniques by cheap handheld measuring devices. The output products of the project can completely be applied in medical facilities in the fields of analysis and evaluation of microbial test results and dangerous sources of infection in the air environment.
At the ceremony, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong - Director of VinIF congratulated VKIST and signed the agreement to sponsor VKIST's project with the participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Duc Loi - Vice President of VKIST, representative of the chairing unit and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Truong Thi Ngoc Lien - Project leader.
