On 20/11/2018, Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology (VRISG) organized the workshop on “Cerebral palsy diagnosis and treatment: The Implication of genetic diagnosis and stem cell therapy” with the attendance of many specialists from the University of Sydney and the Monash Medical Centre, the two leading centers in stem cell research in Australia. This is the first stem cell workshop held between Vinmec and Australian universities.
Prof. Nguyen Thanh Liem – Director of Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology – was introducing the research directions at Vinmec
“In Vietnam and Australia, families of individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) encounter many depressions. Hypoxia due to asphyxia, hemorrhage, prematurity, jaundice, genetic errors are the main causes of cerebral palsy” – Prof. Iona Novak – Head of Research, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, and the University of Sydney had shared the whole picture of CP in Australia.
Prof. Iona Novak said that the University of Sydney’s cerebral palsy research center is currently studying combined diagnostic tests for early detection of CP in newborns and babies. By combining tests for their nervous system, motor function, cognitive ability, and PET imaging the scientists were able to diagnose CP optimally and accurately. Prof. Novak also shared the patient data management system in Australia that allows securely sharing the data globally. This advanced system can support the physicians in clinical diagnosis of CP, especially in newborns.
Prof. Novak – Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, The University of Sydney said that they have developed early detection tools of CP in newborns and babies by combining the tests for their nervous system, motor function, cognitive ability and PET imaging
Dr. Megan – Research Fellow, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, the University of Sydney, was sharing opinions about safety and efficiency of stem cell therapies worldwide. Currently, Dr. Megan and Prof. Novak have been coordinating three projects on stem cell applications for CP treatment.
As a follower of Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology for many years, Dr. Megan said: “Research in Vinmec is opening up new therapeutic approaches and many potential applications in CP treatment. Researches in Vinmec also supports worldwide studies in diagnosis and treatment of CP. Meantime, these researches contribute to the world an additional evidence about the safety and effectiveness of stem cell transplantation in CP patients”.
Dr. Michael Fahey, Monash Medical Centre said that there have been many genetic studies on CP.
Dr. Michael Fahey – Neurogenetics Clinic Director, Neurogengetics Monash Health, is a specialist who has studied on CP patient’s genetics for many years. He also shared in the workshop the updated information about genetic research on CP in the world:
- As many as 1/3 of children lack traditional risk factors for CP. Therefore, giving the accurate diagnosis is difficult.
- There have been already genetic tests on 1.100 genes for CP over the world.
- Increasing numbers of CP-related genes have been identified. Therefore, collaboration among research centers is necessary to share data and update information.
- Genetic tests is needed to determine whether genetics is the causal factor for the CP development in patients.
- There are more and more evidences showing that genetic mutations can cause CP.
- Identifying the mutations by microarray or whole exome sequencing opens up opportunities for detecting CP associated abnormalities.
The workshop has opened up many opportunities for cooperation between Vinmec and the University of Sydney as well as the Monash Medical Centre on stem cell therapy for CP.
The first stem cell workshop between Vinmec and the Australian universities has opened up new opportunities for the cooperation between Vinmec and the University of Sydney as well as the Monash Medical Centre, especially in early diagnosis of CP and in training high-qualified human resources for the application of stem cell therapy in CP treatmentVinmec Healthcare System and the University of Sydney as well as the Monash Medical Centre agreed to collaborate on CP research in the following directions:
- Randomized clinical trials using umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat CP (focusing on clinical diagnosis and early treatment for children younger than 2 years old)
- Studies on the mechanisms of stem cell in CP treatment (focusing on neural differentiation from MSC or iPSC)
- Training Vinmec technicians on evaluating and diagnosing CP in children, focusing on neurological assessment
- Vinmec will be given access right into the evaluation system of the University of Sydney’s CP research center. The system provides the smart phone application that assists in assessment/diagnosis of CP patients based on their motor function.
- Ph.D. training on the application of stem cell in CP treatment for Vinmec
- Prof. Iona Novak is the leader in the field of CP research and treatment in Australia and worldwide. She currently play many important roles such as: Head of Research, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, The University of Sydney; Professor at the Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney; Chair of international cerebral palsy conference; member of the administrative Council, McGill university. She is also the founder of many research centers and intervention programs to reduce morbidity and improve the quality of life for children with CP and their families such as The Australia Cerebral Palsy Register, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
- Prof. Micheal Fahey is a neurologist, has many experiences in clinical trial and teaching. He is currently a neurological Geneticist, Pediatric Professor at Monash Medical Centre, Australia.
- Dr. Megan is a research fellow at Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, the University of Sydney. Dr. Megan focuses on research and clinical trials about the prevention and cure of CP through protection and regeneration of the nervous system.
