Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Pham Quoc Long on the publication in the top-tier journal.

The Institute for Advanced Study in Technology (IAST) is proud to congratulate Prof. Dr. Pham Quoc Long on his recent publication in the prestigious international journal International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

The work, titled " The Effects of Several Natural Protoberberine Alkaloids and Cinnamic Acid Derivatives Used for Traditional Medicine on the Membrane Boundary Potential and Lipid Packing Stress," was carried out by Dr. Giang and his colleagues.

The study focuses on elucidating the effects of natural protoberberine alkaloids (rotundine, berberine, and nitidine) and cinnamic acid derivatives (ethyl‑4‑methoxycinnamate and osthole) found in Vietnamese medicinal plants on the boundary potential of lipid bilayers and on the phase behavior of membrane lipids.

The research team constructed model lipid membranes composed of neutral phosphatidylcholine (PC) and negatively charged phosphatidylserine (PS), and then thoroughly examined changes in membrane boundary potential and lipid phase-transition characteristics upon exposure to these compounds. On this basis, the authors demonstrated that the compounds generally do not alter the boundary potential, except for osthole, which reduces it by about 30 mV; protoberberine alkaloids have little effect on the phase transition of PC but cause pronounced perturbations in the phase behavior of PS. In addition, ethyl‑4‑methoxycinnamate and osthole decrease the temperature and cooperativity of the phase transition of both PC and PS (with a stronger effect on PS). This membrane activity may be directly related to the physiological and pharmacological actions of these compounds.

This significant research outcome contributes to affirming the scientific prestige of the Institute for Advanced Study in Technology in particular, and Ton Duc Thang University in general, on the international research map.

The Institute for Advanced Study in Technology extends its heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Dr. Pham Quoc Long and the research team. We wish him and his team continued success and many more excellent scientific achievements.

Once again, our sincere congratulations!