Immuno-Oncology and Precision Medicine

3D hiPSC-Derived Cardiac Tissue Models for Cardiovascular Disease 

Nguyen Xuan Hung (PI), Le Thien Thanh (Co-PI) 

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell technology offers a groundbreaking approach to treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world’s leading cause of death. Existing models, primarily based on Caucasian cells, lack the genetic diversity needed for global precision medicine. This project incorporates Vietnamese-specific mutations to create advanced three-dimensional heart tissue models, enabling deeper understanding of disease mechanisms, efficient drug testing, and the development of novel therapies, including exosome-based treatments for heart damage. By minimizing reliance on animal testing and addressing diverse populations, this research advances healthcare innovation and paves the way for tailored, effective CVD treatments.

Toward Healthy Longevity: Defining and Predicting Immune Biological Age in the Vietnamese Population

Nguyen Xuan Hung (PI), Nguyen Van Dinh (Co-PI) 

This project aims to advance healthy aging by defining and predicting immune biological age in the Vietnamese population. By developing an integrated blood-based assay, the study will deeply profile immune cell functional characteristics and telomere length to quantitatively assess immunosenescence. A national, age- and sex-stratified immune reference atlas (ages 0-99) of healthy Vietnamese individuals will be established. Leveraging AI and machine learning, the project seeks to predict immune biological age, identify deviations from healthy aging trajectories, and validate predictions through longitudinal follow-up.  

Gut Microbiome Markers for the Detection and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in Vietnam 

Le Thien Thanh (PI) 

This project investigates the role of the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer to improve early detection and treatment outcomes in Vietnam. The study will establish a Vietnamese reference gut microbiome and identify microbial signatures that distinguish colorectal cancer patients from healthy controls. In addition, it aims to characterize microbiome profiles associated with differential responses to chemotherapy. These findings are expected to support the development of microbiome-based biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment stratification, and personalized therapeutic strategies in colorectal cancer.

Off-the-Shelf CAR-iNK Cell Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 

Vu Hai Son (PI) 

This project aims to develop off-the-shelf chimeric antigen receptor–engineered induced natural killer (CAR-iNK) cells for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. By developing and integrating CAR technology with stem cell–based platforms, the project contributes to building local biomedical research capacity while addressing unmet medical needs for low-and-middle income countries.