Vinmec Announced its largest Vietnamese genome research project

A project entitled "Research on the Vietnamese genome" conducted by the scientists at Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology (VRISG) was recently published in Human Mutation (IF 4,5), a prestigious international genetic journal. As the largest and most elaborate research on Vietnamese genome ever, the project opened a reference base for many biomedical studies, thus helping resolve many health problems of Vietnamese people currently.

“Research on the Vietnamese genome" is the first massive database of Vietnamese genomes, comprised of decoding the genomes of 305 healthy Kinh people at Vinmec, in combination with data of 101 previously published genomes.

The research results published more than 24 million points of change, including more than 700 thousand completely new points, which revealed the differences of the Vietnamese genome from the genomes of other populations, which differs tremendously in the frequency of occurrence of many genetic variants. In particular, the project discovered 1.24 millions of variants commonly affected the Kinh people, but rarely affected people in different populations. This is an important contribution, providing a highly reliable source for subsequent genetic-related Vietnamese health biomedical researches and applications.

Published analyzes of the Vietnamese genome revealed the differences between Kinh people and other populations’ genomes. Approximately one third of Kinh People genetic variants do not occur in Han Chinese population and vice versa, in comparison with one thousand people genome database. Especially, analyzing results to find out the ancestral origin of human populations showed that present-day Southeast Asians, including the Kinh Vietnamese people, have their genetic heritage from ancient Southeast Asia. These data also affirm the highly genetic homology as well as close evolutionary relationship between Thai and Kinh people. Meanwhile, the interference and gene transfer from East Asian populations to Vietnamese Kinh population are negligible.

For archaeologists, historians and geneticists, state-of-the-art Vietnamese genome information is the basis for further study of the origins of Vietnamese people compared to other ethnic groups in the region. At the same time, data from the research also contributed to reinforcing the scientific hypothesis that people from Africa settled in Southeast Asia, then inland migrated from the South to the North.

This research has been conducted independently at VRISG within 27 months since December 2016 to March 2019, using the entire genome sequencing technology on the most modern Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencer, USA, with accurate results, deeply and largely covering the genome information.

“Research on the Vietnamese genome" is considered to be the most complete dictionary of the Vietnamese human gene data system so far. Previously, our domestic scientists often had to refer to genomes from foreign populations.

“Genome data" is closely related to people health and pathology, which could help resolve cancer or genetic problems, especially in the recent developing trend of individualized medicine. Therefore, this research has a major significance in developing early detection methods of cancerous, metabolic, medication response, inherited disease, neurological degenerative disorder (Parkinson, Alzheimer..) genes. Vinmec is currently cooperating with Big Data Institute of Vingroup to continue researching genome sequencing for more than 1,000 Vietnamese people. Our goal is to develop the "Biological horoscopes" to early detect and prevent many health problems of Vietnamese people nowadays. " Prof., PhD. Nguyen Thanh Liem- Director of VRISG and Head of the project, said.

“Research on the Vietnamese genome" is one of the first researches of Vietnamese genetic technology scientists published in Human Mutation (IF 4.5) - The world's leading prestigious journal, which presents a great influence in the field of genetics. This research was selected to be one of the most outstanding research by the journal's professional committee, and was widely published as a way to affirm the ability of intensive and independent research as well as catching up with the trend of Vinmec scientists in particular and Vietnam scientists in general.

References:

Vinmec: Vinmec is a non-profit health system developed by Vingroup - the leading private economic group in Vietnam. Since its establishment in 2012, until now, Vinmec healthcare system has been operating seven general hospital and five clinics in seven provinces and cities nationwide. Our target is developing ten hospitals all over Vietnam until 2020. Vinmec has become the international standard healthcare destination with our outstanding facilities, leading experts and doctors, we also apply continuously the latest global treatment methods and comprehensive services in Vietnam, as well as our successful application of many high technologies in health care, which can reach out to developed countries in the region and all over the world. Vinmec has focused on developing two key points stem cells and genetic technology, to contribute to finding breakthrough and effective treatment solutions for incurable diseases that have not had specific medications in Vietnam as well as in the world.

VRISG: Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology, established in October 2016 (formerly known as the Center for Stem Cells and Genetic Technology). VRISG is a strategic biomedical research unit, which is invested and developed by Vingroup. Our orientation to 2030 is developing into the leading research institute in research and application of stem cells in treatment in Vietnam.

Prof. PhD. Nguyen Thanh Liem – Director of VRISG, Head of “Research on Vietnamese genome” is the leading expert in Vietnam and all over the world in pediatric laparoscopic surgery and stem cells. Under the leadership of GS Liem, VRISG has pioneered the research on the application of multiple stem cell- based management for incurable diseases such as cerebral palsy, autism, congenital biliary atrophy, pulmonary fibrosis in premature babies, cirrhosis... He was awarded the Nikkei Asia Prize due to his great contributions to Medicine in June, 2019.