A group of DTU Biotechnology students earned an “Outstanding Poster Presentation” award at The Global Symposium on Natural Products by the Asian Society of Natural Products (ASNP) held in Jecheon (South Korea) from September 22 to 24, 2025.
Representing the team, Nguyen Tran Kim Long receives the “Outstanding Poster Presentation” award
With the theme “Natural Products Innovation in the Age of AI,” the ASNP 2025 focused on research related to the application of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology in the discovery and development of natural compounds. The prestigious international forum ASNP 2025 attracted a large number of scientists, experts, and students presenting their studies to strengthen collaboration in the research and development of natural products.
The group of Biotechnology students from DTU, consisting of
- Nguyen Tran Kim Long,
- Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, and
- Van Thi Kieu Nga
Under the guidance of Dr. Ho Thanh Tam, Head of the Biotechnology and researcher at the DTU Institute for Global Health Innovation, participated in the conference with the study titled “Establishment of Adventitious Root Culture in Panax vietnamensis Ha et Grushv., a Rare and Endangered Medicinal Plant of Vietnam.”
The group of Biotechnology students in the DTU Cell Technology Laboratory
Their research centered on establishing a protocol for rapid biomass production of adventitious roots in Vietnamese ginseng (Panax vietnamensis), a rare ginseng species with exceptionally high saponin content, which gives it great medicinal and economic value.
“Scientific research is a long journey, and this especially true in the field of plant cell technology,” Nguyen Tran Kim Long explains. “Under the professional guidance and hands-on training from our lecturers of Biotechnology at DTU, our team built a strong research foundation, designed experiments, and gradually went deeper into the challenges one meets when culturing and propagating Vietnamese ginseng. The most difficult parts of our work were local sample collection, induction, environmental condition assessments, and monitoring growth through each developmental stage. During our research, our results often fell short of expectations, which forced us to start over. However, it’s those challenges that determined us to go back to the literature and seek solutions to gradually improve and optimize our process.”
Dr. Ho Thanh Tam (first from the left, at the top right) presents at the ASNP 2025
Dr. Ho Thanh Tam participated in the ASNP 2025 and presented his paper entitled: “Enhancing Biomass Production and Bioactive Compounds Accumulation via Tissue and Organ Cultures in Selected Medicinal Plants of Vietnam”. His research focuses on the application of plant tissue and organ culture technologies to optimize biomass production and the content of valuable bioactive compounds. Key species studied by Dr. Ho Thanh Tam include Ngoc Linh ginseng (Panax vietnamensis), red Polygonum (Polygonum multiflorum), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), and Anoectochilus orchid (Anoectochilus lylei). The results showed significant improvements in organ formation, root development, and the accumulation of important bioactive compounds such as saponins, kinsenoside, polysaccharides, flavonoids, and phenolics. This study further highlights the role of in vitro culture technology in the conservation and development of valuable medicinal plants, while also opening opportunities for international collaboration in research and the commercialization of high-value herbal products.
Dr Ho Thanh Tam said: “In training at DTU, theory always goes hand in hand with practice. This way, students not only master foundational knowledge; they’re also able to apply it in research and real-world contexts. The University strongly encourages its students to join research groups with lecturers and participate in projects, to develop independent research skills, creativity, and international integration. By taking part in ASNP 2025, the students not only had the opportunity to present their research findings but also to meet leading scientists in natural products and biotechnology from around the world. I firmly believe that with their passion for learning and research, DTU’s lecturers and students will continue to achieve many successes and make practical contributions to Biotechnology in the future. The research papers by the DTU faculty and students at this year’s ASNP Conference were all part of projects funded by the NAFOSTED.”
Nguyen Tran Kim Long is team leader, who coordinated the entire research process and conducted the experiments, and also represented the group in presenting at the conference. In addition, Kim Long was responsible for connecting the team with the supervising faculty and experts to receive professional feedback. His confident demeanor and proactive approach in research significantly contributed to optimizing the presentation content and achieving an international award.
Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy has strengths in data analysis and information visualization, transforming raw research results into clear, engaging visuals. She took charge of experimental design, proposing process improvements, and finalizing the poster layout. With a high spirit of collaboration and constant creativity, she played a key role in ensuring the clarity and effectiveness of the entire study.
Van Thi Kieu Nga personally conducted the culture experiments and collected and processed the data. She was responsible for monitoring sample growth through each cycle and ensuring the reliability of the output data. Thanks to her perseverance and excellent teamwork, Kieu Nga made significant contributions to producing research results that are both practical and scientifically valuable.
(Media Center)