Academia Sinica Visits Siriraj Hospital to Foster Collaborative Research

, ,

On October 30th, 2024, delegates from Academia Sinica visited the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, to explore the research environment and advanced facilities and to connect with researchers and clinicians. The visit aimed to exchange knowledge, discuss potential student exchange opportunities and explore avenues for collaborative research funding and academic partnerships. This meeting marked a promising step toward establishing a long-term collaborative research network between Academia Sinica and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, with the potential to spark innovative breakthroughs and strengthen ties in shared areas of interest.

The Executive Team Visits SiCORE-Dengue Operations

, ,

On October 16th, 2024, Professor Apichat Asavamongkolkul, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, accompanied by Assistant. Professor Woraphat Ratta-Apha, the Head of the Center of Research Excellence, and Miss Sarinya Ngamtipvatana, the Head of the Research Department, visited the SiCORE-Dengue operations on the 12th floor of the Adulyadejvikrom Building.

During the visit, the SiCORE-Dengue team presented updates on their progress, key achievements, and strategic direction in research on dengue and emerging pathogens. The discussions underscored the team’s aspiration to establish itself as a world-leading center of excellence in this vital field of study.

Hands-on Metabolomics Data Processing and Analysis Using Metabox 2.0 Workshop

On November 6th, 2024, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Metabolomics and Systems Biology (SiCORE-MSB) and Center of Research Excellence (SiCORE-M) co-hosted an onsite workshop at the computer training room (Room 620), 6th Floor, Srisavarindira Building, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital.

The workshop featured Dr. Kwanjeera Wanichthanarak and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sakda Khoomrung, Director of SiCORE-MSB, who provided an in-depth overview of the Metabox 2.0 program. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions focusing on data processing, statistical analysis, and data interpretation, gaining practical skills in metabolomics data analysis with expert guidance from the presenters.

6th Siriraj Research and Innovation Advisory Committee Meeting in 2024

, ,

On October 11th and 17th, 2024, Professor Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, presided over the 6th Research and Innovation Advisory Committee (RIAC) meeting.
This notable gathering brought together distinguished RIAC members, who offered invaluable perspectives and guidance to further the research goals of the Siriraj Center of Research Excellence.

The meeting was graced by the presence of prominent experts from around the world, including;
1. Prof. Alfred Yung, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
2. Prof. Masaomi Nangaku, University of Tokyo, Japan
3. Prof. David Jacoby, Oregon Health & Science University, USA
4. Prof. Kiat Ruxrungtham, Chulalongkorn University, and Chair of Chula Vaccine Research Center, Thailand
5. Prof. Gavin Screaton, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, England
6. Prof. George Baillie, University of Glasgow, Scotland
7. Prof. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong, Community Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand
8. Prof. Nipon Chattipakorn, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
9. Prof. Dr. Ralf F.W. Bartenschlager, University of Heidelberg, Germany and,
10. We were honored to welcome Prof. Aaron Ciechanover, a Distinguished Research Professor from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, to participate in the in-person meeting at Siriraj Hospital.

In support of the discussion, several executive members from Mahidol University joined the meeting, including;

• Assoc. Prof. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Vice President for Research, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital
• Clinical Prof. Artit Ungkanont, Dean, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital
• Prof. Sinee Disthabanchong, Deputy Dean for Research, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital
• Assoc. Prof. Patompon Wongtrakoongate, Faculty of Science
• Prof. Jetsumon Sattabongkot Prachumsri, Deputy Dean for Research, Faculty of Tropical Medicine

Key discussions centered on the progress and strategic direction of six Centers of Research Excellence at Siriraj, covering SiCORE-Allergy and Immunology, SiCORE-Cancer Precision Medicine & Systems Pharmacology, SiCORE-Dengue and Emerging Pathogens, SiCORE-Cardiovascular Disease, SiCORE-Diabetes and Obesity, and SiCORE-Metabolomics and Systems Biology. Each SiCORE presented their research progress, accomplishments, and challenges, with insightful guidance from RIAC members on areas for growth, research management, and strategic planning.

On this occasion, Executive Board members of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and the SiCORE-M team sincerely appreciate all RIAC members’ expertise, valuable time, and recommendations, which will contribute significantly to our research advancement at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital.

Siriraj Faculty Abroad at APCMV 2024 in Singapore

, ,

Miss Kunlakanya Jitobaom, PhD, a researcher from the Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, participated in the “Asia-Pacific Congress of Medical Virology (APCMV) 2024”, held in Singapore from November 19th – 21st, 2024. She presented her research poster titled “Mitochondria Uncouplers as a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agent”.

The Asia-Pacific Congress of Medical Virology (APCMV) is a triennial international meeting that focuses on diagnostic, public health, research and clinical virology, with emphasis on the Asia Pacific region. The aim of this conference is to foster collaboration and information sharing of the latest research in the field of virology pertaining to medically important viruses and treatments against them. Including the most recent COVID-19 pandemic, many emerging virus infections have been centered in the Asia Pacific region, and the breaking down of boundaries between civilization and wildlife only serves to accelerate that. Therefore, it is vital for the countries in the region to develop a strong public health, diagnostic, and research base to address these problems. Hence, the APCMV congress series was started to enable the review, sharing, and discussion in each of these areas for forming a strong foundation against the management of medically important viruses.

Characterization of Airborne Microbial Communities in Northern Thailand: Impacts of Smoke Haze vs. Non-Haze Conditions

, ,

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Chakriya Sansupa and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sakda Khoomrung of the Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Metabolomics and Systems Biology (SiCORE-MSB), Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, for their significant contribution to the field of environmental science and public health with their recent publication in the Journal of Environmental Pollution on November 10, 2024. (You can access the publication via this link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749124020190?casa_token=UcN4CFtF8tsAAAAA:Zc1VGqibF4ozZcSdyYuScBVg1moEMYL4R0Ec40VIYVWKDhTil-xjuOTub3mydYzCZtd7gbM89nof )

This groundbreaking study, unique in its focus on Northern Thailand and its comprehensive examination of microbial diversity on PM2.5 particles, is the first of its kind to be conducted during both smoke haze and non-haze periods in 2020.
Key findings reveal that PM2.5 concentrations, chemical compositions, and air transport patterns massively influence airborne microbial communities. This understanding is crucial in the fields of environmental science and public health as it can help in developing strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with air pollution.

Key Insights:
• Bacterial diversity peaked during the smoke haze period, particularly with airflows from the west.
• Fungal diversity increased during non-haze periods with airflows from the southwest.
• Pathogenic microorganisms like Clostridium and Aspergillus were more prevalent during smoke haze, indicating potential health risks.

While the study has made significant strides, it acknowledges its limitations, such as small sample sizes and focusing on a single urban location. However, it also points towards a hopeful future, where larger, multi-location studies over extended periods can better capture seasonal and interannual variations. This work underscores the critical need to monitor airborne microorganisms in haze-prone regions to understand their impact on air quality and public health. Congratulations again to the research team for this important contribution!

Siriraj Faculty Abroad at the 10th IMCR Symposium on Endocrine and Metabolism in Japan

, ,

Asst. Prof. Prapaporn Thamtarana, PhD, Head of the Cellular and Molecular Biology of Diabetes Research Group at the Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Diabetes and Obesity (SiCORE-DO), Division of Molecular Medicine, Research Department, represented Siriraj at The 10th IMCR Symposium on Endocrine and Metabolism – From Cell to Organism: Interdisciplinary Biological and Metabolic Science held in Gunma, Japan, from October 31st – November 1st, 2024.

In this event, Asst. Prof. Thamtarana delivered a special lecture on the topic “Lessons Learned from Unveiling Causative Genes of Autosomal Dominant Diabetes Using Whole Exome Sequencing.” Her participation in this prestigious symposium not only highlighted Siriraj’s research capabilities but also fostered opportunities to expand the international research network, benefiting Siriraj Hospital’s academic and clinical initiatives.

Siriraj Faculty Abroad at University of Parma, Italy

, ,

From October 16th – 31st, 2024, a team from the Division of Medical Bioinformatics, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, led an intensive training workshop titled “Nanopore Sequencing Workshop: Lactic Acid Bacterial Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics” at the University of Parma, Italy. Conducted by Lecturer Thidathip Wongsurawat, Ph.D., Lecturer Piroon Jenjaroenpun, Ph.D., Lecturer Worarat Kruasuwan, Ph.D., and Research Technical Officer Ms. Aunthikarn Sudjai, the workshop paved the way for collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and the University of Parma, culminating in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing.

Building on this collaboration, the Siriraj team was invited as instructors for the MYCOBEANS project workshop, “Exploring (Emerging) Mycotoxins Risk in Beans: A Global Alliance for Climate Change Resilience,” held from October 28th – 29th, 2024. This workshop gathered over 50 participants from various European countries, covering topics such as:

“Introduction to Oxford Nanopore Technologies & Its Applications” by Lecturer Thidathip Wongsurawat, Ph.D.

“Introduction to MinKNOW” by Lecturer Piroon Jenjaroenpun, Ph.D.

“Overview of the Bioinformatics Pipeline for Nanopore Data Analysis” and “EPI2ME – Real-time Data Analysis Q&A with Participants’ Projects” by Lecturer Piroon Jenjaroenpun, Ph.D., and the Siriraj Long-read Lab (Si-LoL) team

“ONT Flow Cell Priming and Loading” and “Library Preparation” by Lecturer Worarat Kruasuwan, Ph.D., and the Si-LoL team

During this event, Lecturer Thidathip Wongsurawat, Ph.D., and the Si-LoL team presented the signed MOU from the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, to the University of Parma. They also engaged with principal investigators across various faculties, exploring future international funding and research collaborations, further strengthening ties between the two institutions.

Siriraj Faculty Abroad at FIMSA 2024 in Taiwan

, ,

From October 23rd – 27th, 2024, Asst. Prof. Mutita Junking, Ph.D., Head of the Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, participated in “The 9th Federation of Immunological Societies of Asia-Oceania Congress (FIMSA2024)” in Taipei, Taiwan. She presented a research poster titled “Enhancing Mucin1-specific CAR T cell Efficacy in Breast Cancer Using PD-1/CD28 Switch Receptor”.

The Federation of Immunological Societies of Asia-Oceania (FIMSA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1992, promotes immunology research across the Asia-Pacific region. Membership is open to immunological societies and associations in the region that are part of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). Current members include Australia & New Zealand, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Societies that don’t qualify for full membership may join as Observers, with current Observers including Bangladesh, CIS, and Russia.

 

Siriraj Faculty Abroad at the University of Parma, Italy

, ,

Ms. Tantip Arigul, a bioinformatician from the Division of Medical Bioinformatics, Department of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, conducted an intensive training workshop titled “Nanopore Workshop: Bioinformatics of Nanopore Technology (EPI2ME CLOUD)” at the University of Parma, Italy.

The workshop focused on the EPI2ME platform, a cloud-based service for analyzing nanopore sequencing data. It provided an in-depth overview of the platform’s functionalities, including the EPI2ME client and MinKNOW software, which convert electrical signals from DNA/RNA reads into basecalled sequences. Participants were introduced to the MinION device, a compact tool for real-time genomic data processing, alongside the EPI2ME portal and agent, which are essential for managing user profiles, generating analysis reports, and securely executing data analyses.

Key workflows such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) detection were demonstrated, emphasizing quality control measures, including read length and quality score filtering. This comprehensive training offered valuable insights for researchers leveraging nanopore sequencing in their studies.

In parallel with the workshop, Lecturer Thidathip Wongsurawat, PhD, and the Siriraj team strengthened academic ties with the University of Parma by presenting the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. This agreement formally establishes Siriraj as a Nanopore Center of Excellence, underscoring its leading role in advancing research and fostering international partnerships.

The expertise shared and insights gained during this engagement are expected to enhance Siriraj Hospital’s capacity for cutting-edge genomic research, further solidifying its global reputation as a leader in nanopore sequencing technology.