Plant Biochemistry

Plant Biochemistry Department (PBD) was founded in 1993 on basis of two research groups, Plant Physiology and Plant Biochemistry. The first heads of the Department were Assoc. Prof. Dr Le Thi Lan Oanh (1993-2004). Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tinh (2004-2009), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Thiet (2010-2015)

There are six permanent scientific staff members in PBD. They have been trained overseas and are experienced in their fields of interest. PBD research work is focused on understanding the mechanisms of action of proteins/enzymes and bioactive compounds against infectious bacteria using well - established in vitro and in vivo models. PBD currently is also interested in the exploitation and production of natural and recombinant enzymes/proteins, as well as bioactive products from bacteria, fungi and plants for practical application.

Another emerging research approach is on understanding the assembly principles and the virulence determinants of biofilms, as well as developing novel therapeutic approaches to prevent biofilm-dependent infectious diseases. A new drug-delivery system to target biofilm microenvironments using nanotechnology is being developed in PBD.

To accomplish these goals, a combination of molecular, biochemical, imaging and biophysical techniques, which include enzymatic, confocal fluorescence microscopy, transcriptomic and proteomic approaches have been used in PBD.

PBD has established research collaborations with pioneer international partners in the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Korea, Russia and Thailand. PBD staff members have been coauthors of more than 100 peer-review publications.


PRODUCTS AND READY TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES

Technological processes

  1. Clean and environmentally - friendly technology process for the production of chitin from shrimp and crab shells
  2. Technological process for recovering protein from shrimp shells
  3. Enzyme technological process for the production of glucosamine from shrimp shells
  4. Enzyme technological process for the production of nanochitin / nanochitosan
  5. Technological production of pancreatic ribonuclease from cattle for virus treatment of bees and silkworms
  6. Enzyme technological process for the production of chondroitin sulfate from cartilaginous sharks and rays
  7. Simple and rapid method for determining deacetylation degree of chitosan

Products

  1. High quality chitosan, nanochitosan and nanochitin
  2. Recombinant pectate lyase
  3. New functional food synbiotic P&P containing prebiotic xylooligosaccharide (XOS) and probiotic Bacillus subtilis spores

Contact
Room 703, B4 Building
Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST)
18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Contact:
Tel: 84-4-38360853; Fax: 84-4-38363144