On 8 May, the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at VNUHCM–Â鶹´«Ã½ (HCMUS) hosted an academic seminar entitled ‘Next-Generation PCR – Digital PCR: Principles and Applications’.

As molecular biology research increasingly demands superior sensitivity, precision, and quantification capabilities, traditional PCR methods have begun to demonstrate certain limitations in specific advanced applications. The emergence of Digital PCR (dPCR)—regarded as the third generation of PCR—is facilitating new approaches through the absolute quantification of nucleic acids without the requirement for standard curves, whilst simultaneously enhancing reliability in analysis and diagnostics.

The programme featured a presentation by Dr Bùi Thu Thủy, Application Specialist at the QIAGEN Singapore Representative Office in Vietnam. The seminar focused on the core principles of Digital PCR (dPCR) technology, which enables the absolute quantification of nucleic acids without standard curves, thereby increasing sensitivity and precision within molecular biology analysis.

During the session, the speaker detailed the mechanism of sample partitioning into thousands of independent micro-reactions to detect and accurately quantify target sequences based on Poisson distribution. Alongside the theoretical framework, the programme provided updates on various practical applications of dPCR in research and diagnostics, including the detection of rare variants, copy number variation (CNV) analysis, viral load quantification, cancer research, cell and gene therapy, as well as food and environmental testing.

Notably, the QIAcuity Digital PCR system by QIAGEN was introduced as an integrated dPCR platform that combines sample partitioning, amplification, and signal detection within a single, streamlined workflow. Integrating these stages into one system optimises operational procedures, reduces turnaround times, and enhances application efficiency in modern molecular biology research.

Through this seminar, faculty members and students at HCMUS gained direct access to emerging technological trends widely adopted in global research and diagnostics. This activity further strengthens the connection between education, research, and industrial practice, aligning with the institutional commitment of HCMUS to enhance training quality and research capacity within the fields of biology and biotechnology.

 

 

On 23 April 2026, the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at VNUHCM–Â鶹´«Ã½ (HCMUS) hosted an academic seminar featuring Professor Kirill Alexandrov from Queensland University of Technology, Australia. The event was attended by Faculty leadership, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and researchers across the field.

During the seminar, Professor Kirill Alexandrov delivered a keynote lecture entitled “Machine Learning Meets Cross-Eyed Protein Engineering: Building Artificial Protein Switches�. His presentation focused on the design of artificial allosteric regulatory proteins capable of transducing biochemical signals.

By integrating structure-based protein design with machine learning models, the research group has successfully developed artificial allosteric enzymes boasting high performance and a broad dynamic range. The incorporation of machine learning has significantly enhanced the development of fully synthetic biosensors, aimed at detecting proteins and small molecules within human biological samples.

Furthermore, protein “switches” with electrochemical outputs are utilised to construct sensing bio-electrodes. These allow for the conversion of molecular recognition signals into electrical currents, paving the way for the development of affordable point-of-care diagnostic devices.

The subsequent discussion session saw a range of enquiries regarding the operational principles of protein “switches”, machine learning approaches in protein design, and the broader implications for biological diagnostics. These exchanges clarified specific methodologies, providing attendees with a concrete vision of the field’s trajectory while offering guidance for student research and academic development.

This seminar serves as a vital academic forum to update the community on emerging research directions, whilst strengthening professional exchange and the connection between research and education within the biological and biotechnological sciences.

On 12 December, VNUHCM-Â鶹´«Ã½ (HCMUS) convened the 2025 Student Mathematics Scientific Conference at the Nguyen Van Cu campus, attracting over 270 lecturers, researchers, and students. The programme comprised a plenary session alongside three parallel sub-committees, reflecting the diverse and vibrant research landscape characteristic of the University’s student body.

The assembly was organised to encourage scientific research activities amongst mathematics students whilst elucidating the fundamental role and extensive applicability of mathematics within science, technology, education, and social life—particularly amidst the context of profound digital transformation. Furthermore, this event served as a forum for students to present academic results, exchange research ideas, and engage with contemporary mathematical trends.

In the opening address, Dr Võ �ức Cẩm Hải – Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science – affirmed mathematics as the cognitive foundation enabling learners to adapt to the fluctuations of the digital era. Dr Hải acknowledged the diligent efforts of the student groups and emphasised the function of this gathering in nurturing a passion for research directly from the lecture hall.

During the plenary session chaired by Assoc. Prof. Lý Kim Hà, Prof. Mai Hoàng Biên presented the topic “Invertible elements through a yoga perspective�, introducing a novel approach by linking abstract algebraic concepts with familiar imagery from daily life. This presentation created an intriguing highlight, broadening the perspective of attendees regarding the connectivity between pure mathematics and visual structures.

Three specialised sub-committees, comprising Theoretical Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics & Data Science, recorded in-depth reports from students. Within the Theoretical Mathematics sub-committee, research groups presented core contents of modern mathematics such as nonlinear Schrödinger equations, nonlinear integral equations, functional analysis, and fractional operators.

 

In the Applied Mathematics sub-committee, reports focused on modelling and resolving specific problems directly related to humanity, ranging from breast cancer diagnosis, Vietnamese handwriting recognition, and population dynamics models, to Nash equilibrium and the application of artificial intelligence in supporting education for visually impaired pupils.

 

Research directions in Statistics and Data Science continued to demonstrate rapid adaptation to the new requirements of the digital age, including missing data analysis, machine learning in healthcare and energy, traffic control, sentiment analysis, generative AI models, and multi-modal data mining methods.

 

A common feature of the reports was the spirit of proactive problem-solving, the capacity to transfer ideas from theory to application, and the confidence displayed by students when presenting results before the scientific council. Such attributes demonstrate that the training environment at HCMUS encourages students to possess an open mindset, to question, to experiment, and to pursue research directions of high practical value.

The 2025 Student Mathematics Scientific Conference did not merely conclude with high-quality reports but also heralded the emergence of a generation of young researchers full of potential. These individuals represent important factors contributing to the construction of a dynamic and creative scientific community, ready to shoulder the challenges of the new era.