Research

On August 4, DTU held a seminar on “Ginseng Gene Sequencing and Vietnamese Ginseng Applications”, a research project conducted by Professor Tae-Jin Yang, Director of the Program in Crop Science and Biotechnology in the department of Plant Science at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University in Korea. DTU Vice-Provost and Associate Professor Nguyen Ngoc Minh, representatives from the Center for Molecular Biology, Health Sciences and members of the International Relations office attended.

 

  

 

Professor Yang presented his research on the sequencing of the Korean Ginseng genome. He explained that this species of Ginseng is difficult to analyze, has a high repetition rate, needs from four to six years to grow, has only forty seeds and is hard to preserve. Team studied the evolutionary history and the characteristics of Korean Ginseng, based on chloroplast gene sequencing.

 

Professor Yang noted that each cell has three genomes: the nuclear genome, the mitochondrial genome and the chloroplast genome. He said that it is easier to focus on the chloroplast genome because it comes in hundreds of copies. 

 

Vietnamese Ginseng is sold for 80 million vnd per kilo, which makes the production of fake plants very lucrative, so sequencing the chloroplast genome will enable inspectors to identify real Ginseng and prevent customers from buying the fake product, promoting further research on the cultivation and conservation of the Vietnamese equivalent.

 

 

Associate Professor Nguyen Ngoc Minh thanked Professor Yang and said: “Sequencing the Ginseng genome is very important, biologically and economically. The Center for Molecular Biology and others are researching traditional Vietnamese medicines, including Ginseng. I hope that this seminar will lead to a long-term relationship with Seoul National University on future projects like this one.”

 

Vietnamese Ginseng, known as “Panax vietnamensis, Ha & Grushv”, is part of the Panax L. genus and is recognized worldwide for its higher content of saponins, amino acids and the trace minerals in its tubers, leaves and roots. It can reduce stress, combat aging, strengthen the immune system and liver function, and reduce bad cholesterol. Some cancer patients have even been cured as Vietnamese Ginseng strengthens the immune system and reduces the pain of chemotherapy, improving health and prolonging life.