Research

Our lab is interested in various research topics as listed below:

Mechanism of Ciliary/Flagellar Transport

Cilia are cellular projection functioning not only in cellular motility but also cell-cell communication. However, the question of how do cilia form remains largely obscure as the transport mechanism into/out of cilia are still unclear. Working with Ken Downing in Berkeley, we reveal a possible physical barrier of cilia called ciliary partitioning system from ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis using different electron microscopic techniques. In Thailand, we continue to be interested in elucidating molecular mechanism of ciliary and flagellar transport. PO under collaboration with Ken Downing, Berkeley lab.

 
Projection structure of Tetrahymena CPC revealed by EM (Ounjai et al 2013)

Host-Microbe Interactions

Virus-Host: We are interested in using structural biological techniques in particular advance electron microscopy to elucidate the mechanism of virus entry, replication and egress from their hosts.  PO & KB under collaboration with Profs. Jinlu Wu & Choy L Hew (NUS), Sakol Panyim (MU), Chalermporn Ongvorasophone (MU), Duncan R Smith (MU), Wattana Weerachatyanukul (MU)

Proposed mechanism of SGIV infection in grouper cells (Liu et al. 2016)

Phage-Bacteria: One of the research topic  we are superbly interested in is to identify and characterize new phage species that target bacterial pathogens.  PO & TP under collaboration with Surang Chankamhangdecha (MU) & Tavan Janvilaisri (MU)

Potential phage receptors on the cell surface (Chaturongakul & Ounjai 2014)

Algal Biofilm Formation and Microbial Community

The mechanism of biofilm formation in eukaryotic microbes is still poorly described, using cryo-electron microscopy and tomography, we aim to characterize structures of cellular complexes that involved in substrate adhesion and biofilm initiation in green algae; PO under collaboration with Ken Downing, Berkeley lab.

Low-Cost Scientific Instrumentation for the Development of Sustainable Knowledge Based Society

The IseeU project – We are developing and popularizing low-cost microscopic attachment for smartphone and application for collecting, sharing and managing scientific information in social media; KB & PO under collaboration with Suthat Ronglong, Do in Thai.

Our DIY-Microscope; รายการฉายแวว, Mahidol Channel

Development of Novel Curriculum for Teaching Science

Developing an innovative curriculum for teaching science in school. KB & PO under collaboration with Thitinun Sumranwanich, Nuttaphon Onparn, MUSC, Tumnoon Charaslertrangsri, MUIC, Pat Pataranutaporn, MIT, Pakpoom Subsoontorn (Naresuan) & Werasak Surareungchai (KMUTT/Freaklab).

Our time-restricted inquiry scheme for zoology class (Sumranwanich et al 2019)

Tropical and Neglected Diseases

Disease Model: Our research is aimed at establishing a new disease model for study the mechanism of drug resistance for pathogen causing tropical and neglected diseases. We are also interested in developing assays for drug discovery. ES, CW & PO under collaboration with Arthit Chairongdua, MUSC and Sangdeun Moonsom, Trop Med. MU

X-section of a drug-treated freshwater planarian

Effect of Asiatic acid against pathogenic bacteria Clostridium difficile (Harnworawongchai et al 2018)

Pathogen Detection: We are developing an on site rapid detection of food borne pathogens for the application in agricultural and food industry. ND & PO under collaboration with Wansika Kiatpathomchai, BIOTEC,  Surang Chankamhangdecha, MUSC

The design of our POC device for rapid detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in seafood (Kampera et al 2019)

Spore of Clostridium difficile: Working with an extraordinary group of bacteriologists and biochemists who share very similar interests, we are utilizing electron microscopy to gather information that may lead us to a better understanding of Clostridium spore biology.  Under collaboration with Surang Chankamhangdecha & Tavan Janvilaisri (MUSC).

Structural change of Clostridium spore under microwave irradiation (Ojha et al 2016)

Mechanism of Disease Transmission: Vegetables and fruits are usually consumed uncooked. Our research is aimed at understanding how food borne bacterial pathogens are transmitted during the postharvesting process of freshly consumed fruits and vegetables.  Under collaboration with Thitinun Samranwanich, MUSC & Kitipong Assatarakul, Chulalongkorn Univ.

Plankton & Aquatic Biotechnology

Plankton Ecology: We are working with an active group of ecologist and environmentalist to understand the impact of toxic contaminants in plankton and aquatic animals.  Under collaboration with Weeradej Meeinkuirt, MUNA & Theerawut Phusantisampan, KMUTNB

Bio-Energy: We are interested in developing duckweed & algae as new potential sources for biofuel and other possible application in biotechnological industry. JT, SR under collaboration with Kittisak Yokthongwattana, Prayad Pokethitiyook & Patompong John Saengwilai, MUSC

Structural biology of neglected and emerging diseases

Molecular Simulations: One of the area of the interest in our lab is to develop a computational model for different biological system particularly those implicated in causing diseases in human and animals as well as those that might have nanotechnological application eg. phage or virus proteins and cytoskeleton systems. SR, KB & CH under collaboration with Chalermpon Kanchanawarin (KU) and Thanyada Rungrotmongkol (CU)

Computational approach allowed better understanding of complex interaction between b-cyclodextrin and genistein (Hanpaiboon et al. 2018)