On October 3, 2025, the Research Center for Talaromycosis (TMRC) at Biomedical Research Center (BRC) honored to welcome experts from Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) at the University of Exeter, UK in the symposium on “Fungal infections: Research opportunities in Southeast Asia”.
The symposium was successfully held and the two sides had discussions to learn about opportunities for cooperation and to establish a Southeast Asian Medical Mycology Research unit in Vietnam.
Figure 1. Assoc.Prof. Tran Cong Toai presents souvenirs to experts from the University of Exeter, UK
From the University of Exeter, we honored to welcome Prof. Gordon Brown – Director of the MRC CMM, Prof. Elaine Bignell – Co-Director, Prof. Adilia Warris – Co-Director, Prof. William Horsnell – Co-Director, Dr. Alberto Munoz – Research Centre Manager.
From the BRC, we had Assoc.Prof. Tran Cong Toai, MD, PhD – Head of Center; Assoc.Prof. Nguyen Thanh Binh, PhD – Head of Tissues and Cells Unit, Head of Research Management Unit; Assoc.Prof. Ngo Thi Hoa, PhD – Head of Microbiology and Parasitology Unit and other members of Biomedical Research Center. The symposium also had Assoc.Prof. Thuy Le, MD, PhD form Duke University, USA participated online.
At the symposium, the TMRC presented its research vision and ongoing research, summarized key clinical aspects, and provided an update on current results and laboratory capabilities. Delegates from the MRC CMM also took the time to introduce the Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) at the University of Exeter, The Centre for Medical Mycology in Latin America (CMM LATAM) Unit and the FAILSAFE network, and the vision to establish a hub for medical mycology in Southeast Asia.
Figure 2. Professor Gordon Brown introduced the MRC Center for Medical Mycology
Figure 3. Professor Alidia introduced the LATAM Unit and the FAILSAFE Network
Figure 4. Professor William Horsnell introduced the CMM Training: building global capacity in medical mycology
Figure 5. TMRC members presented updates on the unit’s research results
The seminar concluded with discussions on the potential for cooperation based on existing capacities and common interests of the two institutions towards joint efforts in scientific development of Medical Mycology.
Figure 6. The experts from University of Exeter visit BRC’s Lab
Figure 7. The TMRC, Biomedical Research Centre takes souvenir photo with experts from University of Exeter, UK