Launching the First Public Stem Cell Bank

On November 25, the Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital officially inaugurated and commenced operations for its Stem Cell Center – Tissue Bank. This is the first public medical facility licensed by the Ministry of Health to store a diverse array of cell lines, including umbilical cord blood stem cells, umbilical cord tissue, placental membrane, along with mesenchymal and epithelial stem cells.

The hospital is also the first public unit to fully satisfy the four comprehensively approved operational criteria: receipt and preservation, domestic supply, sample exchange with other banks, and international cooperation.

According to Dr. Mai Trong Hung, the Hospital’s Director, the center will begin applying stem cell lines derived from cord blood and tissue to treat various intractable illnesses. A critical objective is to create a breakthrough in treating premature ovarian failure, thereby supporting women’s chances of motherhood. This method also offers significant potential for patients suffering from conditions such as liver cirrhosis, diabetes, stroke, neurological injuries, respiratory and musculoskeletal system diseases, and certain types of blood cancer.

Technically, the center utilizes fully automated extraction technology within an internationally standard clean room system to maximize collection efficiency and minimize errors. The equipment includes an incubator with micro-environment control, an automated stem cell separator, and Flow Cytometry quality analysis technology capable of reading 10 fluorescence channels. The large-scale liquid nitrogen storage area has the capacity to simultaneously preserve over 5,000 units of hematopoietic stem cells.

Stem cells are highly valued in medicine for their inherent ability to self-renew and differentiate into various types of cells, tissues, or organs. When administered into the body, they function by replacing damaged cells or secreting biologically active substances that stimulate self-repair, aiding in the restoration of impaired organ function.

Source: https://vnexpress.net/co-hoi-tri-benh-kho-tu-ngan-hang-te-bao-goc-cong-lap-dau-tien-4986092.html