The scientist who develops sensitive coronavirus detection method

The highly sensitive SARS-CoV-2 virus detection procedure using the AIMS RT-PCR method, which Tho and his colleagues developed, can be applied on a large scale and overcome drawbacks in terms of chemical equipment. It is of great value to the medical community in Vietnam as well as in the world in the tracking and prevention of COVID-19.

The 41-year-old scientist graduated as a general practitioner from Vietnam Military Medical University. After one year working at the Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Tho went abroad to further his studies in molecular biomedicine and molecular diagnosis at several major research institutions. These include the Australian National University, the University of Tokyo, and the University of Helsinki. He has done much research contributing to the development of molecular diagnosis methods and has successfully developed new technology in amplification of genetic material that can be applied in molecular diagnosis.

Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Ho Huu Tho has been working with the Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy at Vietnam Military Medical University since graduation in 2004. From experience during his education in several countries including Japan, Australia, Finland, Dr. Ho Huu Tho has carried out many projects in application of molecular medical testing method, “decoding” several genetic and fatal illnesses and diseases in Vietnam. Dr. Ho Huu Tho exchanges with interns at the laboratory of the Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy. Dr. Ho Huu Tho works in his laboratory at the Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam Military Medical University. During the SARS-CoV-2 prevention campaign, Dr. Ho Huu Tho and his colleagues has carried out research in ultra-sensitive genetic analysis procedure for screening and early detection of SARS-CoV-2 in specimens with a great mentality of enthusiasm and responsibility to contribute to the country’s fight against the pandemic. Apart from scientific research, Dr. Ho Huu Tho is also a lecturer at Vietnam Military Medical University.

Dr. Ho Huu Tho has used his experience and knowledge from studying for years in Europe to successfully conduct the scientific project that applies molecular medical technology in cancer examination. He acknowledged that from the first test of oncological cancer screening on 152 patients that had a sensitivity of 97% till now, 900 patients have had access to this screening method. The next disease to apply this method to is colorectal cancer with samples from patients at central hospitals.

In 2015, his work, on the establishment of ultra-sensitive DNA-EBV quantification procedure in peripheral blood for screening and early detection of cancer, was published in the Nucleic Acids Research journal. In 2018, it was issued a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the technology to detect genetic mutation with a superior accuracy. This was an important step forward in early diagnosis and strategic orientation for treatment of several cancer and genetic illnesses in Vietnam.

Dr. Ho Huu Tho and international professors, experts during his PhD thesis defense at the University of Helsinki, Finland. Dr. Ho Huu Tho reports on the success of his research on cancer screening using genetic analysis technology in Vietnam at Medlad Asia, an international conference in Singapore. At Medlad Asia conference in Singapore, Dr. Ho Huu Tho reported on his work “Establishment of ultra-sensitive DNA-EBV quantification procedure in peripheral blood for screening and early detection of cancer” in Vietnam, which was highly evaluated by international experts.

With his desire and enthusiasm in research and application of genetic technology in decoding dangerous illnesses, Dr. Ho Huu Tho has achieved new success in his work of applying scientific research in molecular medical testing to reality of diagnosis and treatment in Vietnam hospitals.