Name: Miss Sopapan Rattanaprapanporn (Atichartpongkul) Office address: Laboratory of Biotechnology 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand Tel: +66 25530 8555 (ext. 3252) E-mail:[email protected] Research Scientist I Research Experience (Specialties) Molecular microbiology Education 1987-1991 B. Sc. (Medical Technology) Chulalongkorn University 1991-1994 M. Sc. (Biochemistry) Mahidol University Publications Loprasert, S.,Atichartpongkun ,S., Whangsuk, W., and Mongkolsuk,S. Isolation and analysis of the Xanthomonas alkyl hydroperoxide reductase gene and the peroxide sensor regulator genes: ahpC and ahpF–oxyR–orfX. J.Bacteriol 1997; 179: 3944-3949. Mongkolsuk, S., Loprasert, S., Whangsuk W., Fuangthong, M. and Atichartpongkun, S. Characterization of transcription organization and analysis of unique expression patterns of an alkyl hydroperoxide reductase C gene (ahpC) and peroxide regulator operon ahpF-oxyR-orfX from Xanthomonas campestris pv.phaseoli. J.Bacteriol 1997; 179: 3950-3955. Loprasert, S., Sallabhan, R., Atichartpongkul, S. and Mongkolsuk S. Charecterization of a ferric uptake regulator (fur) gene from Xanthomonas campestris pv.phaseoli with unusual primary structure, genome organization, and expression patterns. Gene 1999; 239: 251-258. Loprasert, S., Fuangthong, M., Whangsuk, M., Atichartpongkul, S.,and Mongkolsuk, S. Molecular and physiological analysis of an OxyR regulated ahpC promoter in Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli. Mol. Microbio l 2000; 37: 1504-1514. Atichartpongkul, S., Loprasert, S., Vattanaviboon ,P., Whangsuk, W., Helmann, J.D. and Mongkolsuk,S. Bacterial Ohr and OsmC paralogs define two protein families with distinct functions and patterns of expression. Microbiology. Microbiology...

Name: Dr. Nisanart Charoenlap Office address: Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand Tel: +662-5538555 ext. 3256 (office) Positions:Senior Research Scientist 2, Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute E-mail: [email protected] Research Interests Microbioloy Bacterial genetics Biotechnology Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Environmental pollutants on AMR Education and Degrees Mahidol University, Bangkok – Ph.D. in Biotechnology, 2007-2009 (Royal Golden Jubilee Scholarship funded by Thailand Research Fund) – M.Sc. in Biotechnology, 2002-2006 (Graduate studies Scholarship funded by Ministry of University Affair and Faculty of Graduate studies, Mahidol University) – B.Sc. in Biotechnology, 1999-2002 (Sritrangtong Scholarship funded by Faculty of Science, Mahidol University) Working Experiences Visiting Ph.D. student at Department of Food Sciences, University of California, Davis, USA (UC, Davis) (under supervision of Prof. Chester W. PriceS.A., 2004) Post doctoral Fellow at Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), S.A., 2007-2009 (with Prof. David B. Schauer) Project Manager for One Health Drivers of Antibacterial Resistance in Thailand (OH-DART) funded by Medical Research Council (MRC), UK, 2018-2022 Academic Positions Research Scientist, Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, 2009-2015 Research Scientist I, Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, 2016-2022 Research Scientist II, Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, 2022-present Publications Charoenlap, N., Dharmsthiti, S., Sirisansaneeyakul, S., and Lertsiri, S. Optimization of cyclodextrin production from sago starch. Bioresour Technol....

Name:Benya Nontaleerak Office address: Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand Tel: +662-553 8555 (ext. 3261) (office) Positions:Research Scientist, Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute E-mail:[email protected] Research Interests Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology and Microbiology Education 2018-2019 M.Sc. in Biotechnology (Plan A1), Mahidol University 2014-2018 B.Sc. in Biotechnology (Distinction program), Mahidol University (First Class Honor) Publications Nontaleerak B, Tasnawijitwong N, Eurtivong C, Sirikanchana K,Satayavivad J, Sukchawalit R*, Mongkolsuk S. Characterisation of the triclosan efflux pump TriABC and its regulator TriR in Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58. Microbiological Research. 2022; 263:127112. Duang-nkern J, Nontaleerak B, Udomkanarat T, Saninjuk K, Sukchawalit R*, Mongkolsuk S. NieR is the repressor of a NaOCl-inducible efflux system in Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58. Microbiological Research. 2021; 251:126816. Nontaleerak B, Duang-nkern J, Wongsaroj L, Trinachartvanit W, Romsang A*, Mongkolsuk S. Roles of the AhpD-family protein RcsA in reactive chlorine stress resistance and virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2020; 86(20):1–22.

Name: Prof. Dr. Pattana Srifah Office address: Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand Tel: +662-5538555 ext. 3265 (office) Positions: Research Scientist III, Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute E-mail: [email protected] Research Experience (Specialties) Plant genetic engineering and Molecular genetic in plant Education and Degrees 1975-1978 B.Sc. (Plant Pathology) Kasetsart University Thailand 1978-1981 M.Sc. (Microbiology) Kasetsart University Thailand 1988-1991 Ph D. (Virology) Australian NationalUniversity Australia Awards 2009 Innovative Awards, Kasetsart University 2010 Research Invention Awards, National Research Council of Thailand 2014 Thailand Toray Science Foundation (TTSF) 2023 Outstanding Kasetsart University Alumni Training Workshop 1983 Training at Asian Vegetable Development Center, Tainan, Taiwan, on Vegetable diseases for 2 months 1985 Training at Akita Prefectural College of Agriculture, Akita Prefecture, Japan on Monoclonal antibody technics for plant virus research for 2 months 1992 Training at Department of Molecular Genetics, National Institute of Agrobiological Resources, Tsukuba, Japan on Genomoic study of floricaula gene, FLO (flower tissue specific) of rice and gene transformation of rice using electroporation for 4 months 2010 Proteomic analysis, Max Planck Institue fro Biology of Ageing, Germany for 5 days Publications Bhinija, K., Huehne, P. S., Mongkolsuk, S., Sitthimonchai, S., Satayavivad, J.. A short-chain dehydrogenese/reductase (SDR) detection for the isoflavone reductase gene in Bulbophyllum and other orchids....

Name: Professor Emeritus Dr. Skorn Mongkolsuk Office address: Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 54 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand Tel: +662-5538555 ext. 8557 (office) Positions: Director, Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute E-mail: [email protected] Research Interests Bacterial genetics physiology Molecular biology of gene expression Identification of novel genes involve in oxidative stress response in plant and human bacterial pathogens Education and Degrees University of Maryland, U.S.A., 1981-1985 – Ph.D. in Biological Science University of London, UK., 1977-1981 – M.Sc. in Biochemistry, 1980-1981 – B.Sc. (Honors) in Pharmacology, 1977-1980 Postdoctoral Experience Visiting Fellow at the Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, U.S.A., 1985-1987 (with Maxine F. Singer) Visiting Scientist at Osaka University, Japan., 1988 (With A. Shinmyo) Academic Positions Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Mahidol University, 1987-1991 Head, Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, 1990-2016 Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Mahidol University, 1991-1998 Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Mahidol University, 1998-2002 Associate Faculty Member, Asian Institute of Technology, 1998-2002 Adjunct Professor, Asian Institute of Technology, 2002-2010 Professor of Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Mahidol University, 2002-2018 Deputy Dean for Multidisciplinary Coordinating Center, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 2007 Member, Mahidol University Council, 2007-2010 Dean, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 2007-2015 Member, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute Council, 2010-2017 Director, Laboratory of Biotechnology,...

Name: Dr. Punyawee Dulyayangkul Office address: Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research Institute,54 Kamphaeng Phet 6 Talat Bang Khen, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, ThailandTel: +66 25530 8555 (ext. 3264)Positions:Researcher, Research Laboratory of Biotechnology, Chulabhorn Research InstituteE-mail:[email protected] Research Interests Antimicrobial resistance mechanisms Gram-negative bacterial pathogens Molecular biology Education and Degrees Chulabhorn Graduate Institute (CGI), Thailand, 2013-2018– Ph.D., Applied Biological Sciences (ABS): Environmental Health Mahidol University International College (MUIC), Thailand, 2008-2011– B.Sc., Biological Science Postdoctoral Experience University of Bristol, UK, 2019-2022– Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine Awards Royal Golden Jubilee (RGJ) Ph.D. Program Scholarship, 2015-2019 His Majesty The King Honour Celebration Scholarships Project for the Scientists Development, 2013-2018 First runner-up for the outstanding academic performance in the MUIC academic excellence scholarships, 2010 First runner-up for the outstanding academic performance in the MUIC academic excellence scholarships, 2009 ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2289-145X Publications Whangsuk W, Dulyayangkul P, Loprasert S, Dubbs JM, Vattanaviboon P, Mongkolsuk S. Re-sensitization of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and restoration of cephalosporins susceptibility in Enterobacteriaceae by recombinant Esterase B. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2024;77(12):ovae118. doi:10.1093/lambio/ovae118 Vanitshavit, V., Charoenlap, N., Sallabhan, R., Whangsuk, W., Bhinija, K., Dulyayangkul, P., Mongkolsuk, S., & Vattanavibooon, P. (2024). Acquired resistance of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to antimicrobials induced by herbicide paraquat dichloride. PloS one, 19(8), e0309525. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309525 Dulyayangkul, P., Sealey, J. E., Lee, W. W. Y.,...

Thailand is facing deteriorating water quality in both freshwater and coastal water. Although water pollution comes from both point and non-point sources, the management of non-point source pollution is more challenging due to the difficulty of pinpointing its sources. The Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI), together with the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), held a one-day workshop, “Thailand 4.0 and the Non-point Source Management Innovation,” on July 25, 2018, at the Century Park Hotel, Bangkok. The opening remarks were delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Chanathip Pharino, the director of the Public Wellbeing Division, TRF, and Professor Dr. Skorn Mongkolsuk, the director of the Laboratory of Biotechnology, CRI. This workshop was part of a TRF-funded research project, “Development of Microbial Source Tracking Methods: A Case Study of Tha Chin River Basin.” Dr. Kwanrawee Sirikanchana, Research Scientist from the Laboratory of Biotechnology, CRI, is the Principal Investigator, and Dr. Pinida Leelapanang Kampangthong, Environmental Specialist from the Freshwater Division, Water Quality Management Bureau, Pollution Control Department, is the Co-Investigator. The one-day workshop facilitated over 50 participants from academia, government agencies, and the private sector. The program began with the presentation, “Non-point Sources: Challenges from Past to Present,” by the research team to raise awareness of the significance and the challenges of non-point sources in Thailand and in other countries. Subsequently, invited experts from government, private,...

Plants have mechanisms to protect themselves from bacterial invasion by sequestering essential metals like iron to create low iron environments. Moreover, plants also generate high levels of reactive oxygen species such as H2O2 and superoxide radicals, which are used as an important initial defense mechanism to inhibit bacterial proliferation during infection. Due to both the necessity of iron for physiological functions and also the toxicity of excess iron resulting from the formation of iron-catalyzed reactive oxygen species, iron homeostasis is tightly regulated in bacteria to ensure survival. The research aims at characterization of the iron-sensing transcriptional regulators, RirA (rhizobial iron regulator) and Irr (iron response regulator) from the phytopathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens, in order to better understand mechanisms used by bacteria to satisfy their iron demand and prevent iron-induced toxicity. It is also of interest to search for novel physiological roles of RirA and Irr beyond iron regulation and study the interplay between RirA, Irr and other transcriptional regulators to mediate the regulation of gene expression in response to diverse stressful conditions. The research will provide insight into functional roles as well as the impact of these regulators on the survival of A. tumefaciens during plant-pathogen interactions. RirA and Irr are found exclusively in members of alphaproteobacteria, including plant, animal and human pathogens. Therefore, information on the specific regulatory functions of...

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful model organism for the studies of basic molecular cell biological processes. Most of these basic processes are highly conserved, making the findings in yeast applicable to higher eukaryotes. Here, we exploit the powerful genetic system and numerous genomic tools in yeast to investigate the mechanisms of bacterial toxins in eukaryotic host cells. We also use yeast to perform functional analysis of disease-related mutations in human genes and to investigate antifungal mechanisms of natural products. Characterization of cytotoxic mechanisms of a bacterial genotoxin called Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT) from Aggregatibacteractinomycetemcomitans: We use both candidate and genome-wide approaches to investigate the role of host genes in the cytotoxic effect of CdtB, the catalytic subunit with homology to DNase. We conditionally express CdtB from a galactose-inducible plasmid in yeast strains with various gene mutations and in the yeast deletion library. Our findings show that genes involved in homologous recombination repair of DNA double strand breaks are necessary for cell survival upon CdtB intoxication, confirming the role of CdtB as a genotoxin. The genome-wide screens in the yeast deletion library allow us to gain further insights into the mechanisms of CdtB. Identification of novel toxins from an anaerobic pathogenic bacteria: Several pathogenic bacteria translocate effector proteins into host cells as virulence factors, however the genes encoding...

Microbial Source Tracking (MST) methods for the detection of fecal pollution in water:Fecal contamination in water resources has become a problem of i ncreasing concern worldwide. Human pathogens and antibiotic resistant bacteria that are present in fecal material and wastewater can contaminate water and pose a risk to public health. However, current fecal pollution detection methods test for the presence of fecal contamination, but cannot distinguish what type of animal was the ultimate source. MST is an approach to identify fecal sources that contaminate bodies of water through the detection of enteric microorganisms that are specific to a particular host, such as humans, pigs, cows, goats, horses, or groups of similar animals, like ruminants and birds. By identifying the sources of fecal pollution, MST can greatly facilitate the management of polluted bodies of water, thus reducing public health risks and promoting environmental sustainability (Figure 1). The laboratory conducts research involving: the development of methods for measuring MST markers in laboratories and the characterization of different types of MST markers that can be used to identify specific sources of contaminants. These novel methods are then field tested in problem areas around Thailand. This involves the optimization of sampling techniques in the field and assessing the health risks of exposure to contaminated water. Ultimately, the research goals are to expand disciplinary knowledge...

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat to human health and is recognized as a silent pandemic. A recent report in 2019 revealed that deaths associated with bacterial AMR number 4.95 million per year worldwide, including 1.27 million directly attributable to AMR. Since penicillin was discovered, many types of antibiotics have been used to successfully treat infectious diseases. However, these achievements are now at risk mainly because of the overuse or misuse of antimicrobials, leading to the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. AMR bacteria are not only confined to health care settings. They have spread to the environment and have been isolated from human-associated animals, including companion pets, livestock, and farmed fish. Given the increased risks to human health that this spread presents, a multidisciplinary “One-Health approach” is required to solve the problem. In accordance with the mission of the CRI to improve the quality of life through the use of Science and Technology, AMR is one of the primary research focuses of the Laboratory of Biotechnology. To better understand the extent and causes of AMR, the levels of AMR bacteria and their potential drivers are monitored in the environment and food supply. A CRI research team along with collaborators in the United Kingdom (UK) led by the University of Bristol has received a Global Challenge Research Fund...

Nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections are an important problem worldwide that affects both developed and developing countries. Nosocomial infections are a major cause of mortality in patients admitted to the hospital and have become a public health problem. Multidrug resistant bacteria are commonly the causative agents of nosocomial infections. These infections are difficult to treat and often require the use of new generation antibiotics, which are highly expensive. The research that is being conducted in the Laboratory of Biotechnology is performed using the bacterial species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. These pathogens, which are often multidrug resistant, are among the most common causal agents of nosocomial infections in Thailand. Research is being conducted to characterize the novel mechanisms underlying multidrug resistance in these bacteria using genetic engineering techniques to isolate genes that are involved in antibiotic resistance. The results of the research can aid in the identification of new drug targets. The Laboratory of Biotechnology has discovered the novel multidrug efflux transporters, MfsA and MfsQ, from S. maltophilia. MfsA contributes to the transport of several groups of antibiotics, especially those belonging to the fluoroquinolones, out of the bacterial cells, thereby rendering S. maltophilia resistant to multiple antibiotics (Fig. B). MfsQ also functions as an efflux transporter and is involved in bacterial resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds, which are widely used...