On the afternoon of 9 September, the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS), held an academic seminar entitled ‘Drug Resistance: Lessons from Parasites and the Search for New Drug Targets’, presented by Assoc. Prof. Kiong Ho from the Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan.

During the seminar, Assoc. Prof. Kiong Ho discussed the evolutionary mechanisms driving drug resistance in pathogenic parasites and introduced approaches to identifying new drug targets based on parasite-specific mechanisms. Among these, the mRNA capping apparatus was highlighted as a promising area of research for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Drawing on research into parasites, the seminar provided students with a molecular biology perspective on drug resistance, as well as insights into target identification in drug research and development. The seminar was designed for third- and fourth-year students and other learners interested in health sciences.

As part of the programme, Dr Vương Cát Khánh – a researcher and lecturer at the University of Tsukuba – introduced the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship and postgraduate study opportunities at the University of Tsukuba. The session provided students with further information about study and research programmes, as well as opportunities for academic development in Japan.

The seminar also provided a forum for direct exchange between students and researchers, contributing to broader academic connections between VNUHCM–University of Science (HCMUS) and the University of Tsukuba.