Annual Report 2015 National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) This report is prepared according to the 2015 fiscal year of the Royal Thai Government, from 1 October 2014 – 30 September 2015. 2 Annual Report 2015 3 National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) International Collaboration Annual Report 2015 CONTENTS National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) Message from the BIOTEC Executive Director 5 Facts and Figures 7 Research and Development 11 ISBN 978-616-12-0431-0 Technology Transfer 35 First Edition January 2016 February 2016 Human Resources Development 41 Number of copies printed 500 Public Awareness 47 International Collaboration 51 Copyright ©2016 by Impact of BIOTEC’s Output 57 National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) Appendices 63 National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) List of Publications 64 List of Intellectual Properties 80 Honors and Awards 86 Executives and Management Team 88 Annual Report 2015 National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology/ National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). -- Pathum Thani : National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 2016. 90 p. : ill. ISBN : 978-616-12-0431-0 F 1. Biotechnology 2. Genetic Engineering I. National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology II. National Science and Technology Development Agency III. Title TP248.2 660.6 Published by National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) Ministry of Science and Technology 113 Thailand Science Park Phahonyothin Road Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang Pathumthani 12120 THAILAND Tel: +66 (0) 2564 6700 Fax: +66 (0) 2564 6701-5 Website: http://www.biotec.or.th International Collaboration 3 CONTENTS Message from the BIOTEC Executive Director 5 Facts and Figures 7 Research and Development 11 Technology Transfer 35 Human Resources Development 41 Public Awareness 47 International Collaboration 51 Impact of BIOTEC’s Output 57 Appendices 63 List of Publications 64 List of Intellectual Properties 80 Honors and Awards 86 Executives and Management Team 88 F 4 Annual Report 2015 National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) Message from the BIOTEC Executive Director 5 MESSAGE FROM THE BIOTEC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BIOTEC has always strived to find a balance between Human capital is the most important asset of any excellence and relevance. In Thailand, science is not organization. This year, a number of our staff have intrinsically perceived as relevant, so it is always brought pride to BIOTEC. Just a few examples gratifying when we can see our research results make illustrating the strength and diversity of our human their ways to actual users. This year, we launched a resources; Dr. Bunpote Siridechadilok was named the collaborative project with the Department of 2014 Young Technologist by the Foundation for the Agricultural Extension to transfer the effective Promotion of Science and Technology under the Beauveria bassiana strain and the cultivation Patronage of His Majesty the King for the development technology to the field stations of the Department, of a quick and efficient method to construct mutations as well as the training of farmers to effectively produce of dengue virus which will enable high throughput the fungal spores from the inoculum distributed by screening of drug targets as well as understanding the Department. The effective strain and cultivation gene functions. Dr. Noppol Kobmoo won the Marie process were the fruit of our research program to find Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship to work with useful applications for the wealth of the country’s Prof. Titiana Giraud at the University of Paris-Sud, to biodiversity. B. bassiana has proven to be a potent use population genomics approach to explain the host biopesticide against insect pest larvae. specificity in insect fungi. In addition, Dr. Chalermpol Kirdmanee and Ms. Phongphan Ek-arwut were BIOTEC is currently undertaking two large-scale recognized for their work in the rural areas. Dr. projects under NSTDA Giga Impact Initiative, a new Chalermpol received the Siam Cement Group Chair Fprogram set up in 2013 providing funds to projects Professor Scholarship for the work on land with high potential to generate a significant impact rehabilitation in northeastern Thailand. The National to the economy. One project aims to use genomic Office of Buddhism honored Ms. Phongphan for her technologies in a sugarcane breeding program to support in education of monastic schools in the rural increase yield and sugar level. The other project aims area. Indeed, we never forget to be relevant. to develop a platform for large-scale production of industrial enzymes, concentrating on three This year, the Ministry of Science and Technology has recombinant enzymes for three distinct industries, been regrouped with the economic ministries, a good namely animal feed, textile and pulp and paper. In indication that our policy makers see the potential of addition to the R&D component, both projects are science and technology. It also comes with engaging industrial partners to expedite the transfer responsibilities to deliver innovations to support our of technology to the private sector once completed. local industry. At BIOTEC, we are looking forward to The sugarcane project is co-funded by and co- making this contribution in the years to come. investigated with an industrial partner, Mitr Phol Group, a key player in sugarcane and sugar business in Thailand and the Asia Pacific; whereas the enzyme team is now in discussion with various enzyme users for field validation and commercial enzyme production in Thailand. Kanyawim Kirtikara, PhD. Executive Director, BIOTEC 6 Annual Report 2015 National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) Facts and Figures 7 FFACTS AND FIGURES BIOTEC was first set up under the Ministry for As a premier research institute in Thailand and Asia, Science, Technology and Energy on 20 September BIOTEC operates research units located at Thailand 1983. After the establishment of the National Science Science Park and specialized laboratories hosted and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) on 30 by various universities, covering a wide spectrum December 1991, BIOTEC became one of the NSTDA of research topics from agricultural science to centers, operating outside the normal framework of biomedical science and environmental science. In civil service and state enterprises. This enabled the addition to research units, development units have Center to operate more effectively to support and been established for activities with high commercial transfer technology for the development of industry, potential. These are full scale business and agriculture, natural resources, environment and production operations designed to demonstrate the consequently the social and economic well-being commercial viability of technologies to prospective of Thai people. Other centers under the NSTDA investors. family include National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Electronics and Apart from research and commercialization, BIOTEC Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), National activities also include policy research, an outreach Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC) and Technology program, human resource development and Management Center (TMC). international relations. 8 Annual Report 2015 National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) Organization BIOTEC Research Units at Thailand Science Park • Bioresources Technology Research Unit • Animal Biotechnology Research Unit • Food Biotechnology Research Unit • Medical Molecular Biology Research Unit • Genome Technology Research Unit • Biosensing Technology Research Unit Collaborative Research Laboratories at universities and government organization • Biochemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Research and Development Laboratory - at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) • Waste Utilization and Management Laboratory - at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) • Cassava and Starch Technology Research Laboratory - at Kasetsart University • Rice Gene Discovery Laboratory - at Kasetsart University • Medical Biotechnology Research Laboratory - at Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and Chiang Mai University • Biomedical Technology Research Laboratory - at Chiang Mai University • Marine Biotechnology Laboratory - at Chulalongkorn University • Molecular Biology and Genomics of Shrimp Laboratory - at Chulalongkorn University • Shrimp Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory - at Mahidol University • Peat Swamp and Hala-Bala Rain Forest Research Laboratory - jointly established with the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department and located in Narathiwat Province Translational Administration Research Facilities and Multi-disciplinary • Policy Study and Biosafety Unit Laboratory • Rural Development Technology Service Unit • Biotechnology Business Development Division • Shrimp Genetic Improvement Center • Human Resources and Platform Technology • Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Pilot Development Division Plant for Insect Pest Control • Strategic Planning and Organization • Thailand Bioresource Research Center Development Division • Food and Feed Innovation Center • Evaluation and Monitoring Division • Integrative Biorefinery Laboratory • Research Unit