On the morning of 15th December 2024, the final round of the 9th Stem Cell Innovation Competition 2024, organised by the Stem Cell Institute at the University of Science, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City, officially commenced at the Student Cultural Centre in the Urban Area of VNUHCM.

This year’s competition concentrated on solutions aimed at promoting healthy living and longevity through the application of stem cells. A total of 317 teams, comprising nearly 850 participants from 46 universities and high schools nationwide, took part. After several rigorous qualifying rounds, the top 10 teams advanced to the finals to showcase their outstanding creative ideas before the Jury panel.

This year ‘s competition consisted of leading experts from various fields, tasked with comprehensively evaluating the contestants’ ideas:

– Assoc. Prof. Phạm Văn Phúc, Director of the Stem Cell Institute – Science and Technology Assessment.
– Assoc. Prof. Nguyễn Hồng Quân, Director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City – Economic Impact Assessment.
– Dr. Nguyễn Tôn Ngọc Huỳnh, Deputy Director of DNA International Hospital – assessed the medical impact.
– Journalist MSc. Phan Kim Sơn, Editor-in-Chief of the “Drugs and Health” Magazine, Viet Nam Pharmacological Association – Social Impact Assessment.
– Mr. Nguyễn Hồ Hoài Nam, Head of the Startup and Innovation Services Department, High-Tech Business Incubator, Management Board of the High-Tech Park – Investment Feasibility Assessment.

The competing teams took turns impressing the Jury panel with their creativity, extensive knowledge, and practical application skills.

The highest accolade was awarded to Team Xcell, comprising three 11th-grade female students:

– Đặng Thiên Hương (Lawrence S. Ting School, Ho Chi Minh City).
– Mai An (North American International School, Dong Nai Province).
– Nguyễn Vũ Hà Anh (Canadian International School, Ho Chi Minh City).

The winning project focused on the application of stem cells to restore vision affected by cataracts. The group’s idea involved utilising stem cells from human embryos to create natural lenses, aiming to restore visual function and support patients experiencing vision degeneration. To address the ethical challenges in medical practice, the team proposed using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), a method that had been awarded the Nobel Prize in 2012.

The second-place project involved a nano-formulation combining curcumin and exosomes derived from induced neural stem cells to support Alzheimer’s treatment, presented by a group of students from the International University, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City.

The third-place project focused on the application of self-modifying scaffolds, smart nanotechnology, and gene editing on mesenchymal stem cells for treating cartilage degeneration, presented by a group of students from the University of Science, Viet Nam National University Ho Chi Minh City.

Encouragement prizes were awarded to other outstanding ideas, including:

– The application of stem cells in treating diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
– Hearing restoration and improving intestinal ageing.

The Stem Cell Innovation Competition 2024 reaffirmed its role as a premier scientific platform, enabling students to access advanced knowledge, foster creativity, and develop research skills. With a total prize fund of up to 200 million VND, the competition not only inspired scientific research but also created opportunities for promising projects to receive developmental support through collaborations with incubators, enterprises, and leading experts.