เอกสารหมายเลข 1

Faculty of Science

Department of Biochemistry

Curriculum Title Ph.D. in Biochemistry

Curriculum Description:

The Ph.D. in Biochemistry program curriculum is designed to offer students a solid biochemistry and molecular

biology through coursework and research, with aims to produce Ph.D. who have ability to generate new

knowledge in biochemistry and molecular biology, and contribute the knowledge to Thailand and worldwide

societies. Our students in the program will be intensive trained to produce international quality level of research

output and to have good research ethics and morality.

Type of Program:

Regular Program (Monday- Friday)

Regular Program (Monday- Friday) and International Program

Special Program (Saturday-Sunday)

Dissertation Themes:

Based on expertise of our prospective advisors, the research area for student’s thesis that the program offers in

2017 and a few years onwards will focus on Medical Biochemistry. Accordingly, students in the program are

targeted to create and contribute novel knowledge in biochemistry and molecular biology to solve genetic and

non-genetic diseases, and to generate the effective therapeutic strategies for people in Thailand and worldwide

societies.

Examples of the plausible researches that students could develop as thesis:

Mechanism and biochemical studies on amyloid proteins in neurodegenerative diseases particularly

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases

Therapeutic proteins, phytochemicals and peptides for neurodegenerative diseases

Protein and peptide drug delivery

Molecular biology and biochemistry of natural products

Biotechnology of Hevea latex

Prospective students:

The international student who is interested to enroll to our PhD program should meet these requirements:

1. Hold a master’s degree in biochemistry or related field with GPA 3.5/4.0, or hold a bachelor’s degree in

biochemistry or related field with an overall grade of First Class Honours or GPA 3.0/4.0 (or 4.5/5.0).

2. A score of at least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL (or internet-based TOEFL with equivalent score), or 5.5 on

the IELTS

3. Certain minimum entrance requirements as set by the Prince of Songkla University Graduate School.

-2-

Prospective advisors:

1. Associate Professor Dr. Porntip Prapunpoj (CV attached)

2. Assistant Professor Dr. Decha Sermwittayakul (CV attached)

3. Dr. Thanawat Pitakpornpreecha (CV attached)

4. Dr. Wanisa Salaemae (CV attached)

Contact Information:

Associate Professor Dr. Porntip Prapunpoj

Department of Biochemistry

Faculty of Science

Prince of Songkla University

Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110

Thailand

Email: porntip.p@psu.ac.th

DECHA SERMWITTAYAWONG Decpartment of Biochemistry 81/41 Chonkasem Rd. Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University Mu 6, Tambon Makamtia Hat Yai, Songkhla 90110 Muang, Suratthani 84000 Thailand Thailand decha.s@psu.ac.th EDUCATION:

Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology The Pennsylvania State University, August 2006

Bachelor of Arts in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, The University of Colorado at Boulder, Magna Cum Laude, May 2000

PUBLICATIONS: Bunkrongcheap, R., Inafuku, M., Oku, H., Towatana, N., Wattanapiromsakul, C., Sermwittayawong, D. (2016). Lipid-Lowering Effects of Hexane Fraction of Ivy Gourd (Coccinia grandis L. Voigt) Root in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. Walailak Journal of Science and Technology 13 (10), 815-825

Patninan, K., Sermwittayawong, D., Towatana, N., Noipha, K. Alkaline-soluble Polysaccharide from the Gray Oyster Mushroom stimulates Nitric Oxide Production in RAW 264.7 Macrophages. Proceeding: The 28th Annual Meeting of the Thai Society for Biotechnology and International Conference (TSB 2016). Jantaramanant, P., Sermwittayawong, D., Noipha, K., Hutadilok-Towatana, N., Wititsuwannakul, R. (2014). β-glucan-Containing Polysaccharide Extract from the Grey Oyster Mushroom [Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Sing.] Stimulates Glucose Uptake by the L6 Myotubes. International Food Research Journal 21(2), 779-784.

Sermwittaywong, D., Jakkawanpitak, C., Waji, N., Hutadilok-Towatana, N. (2013). Economical method for midiprep plasmid DNA purification using diatomaceous earth. ScienceAsia. 39, 631-635.

Waji, N., Sermwittayawong, D., Hutadilok-Towatana, N. (2012). Characterization of the interaction between Fas-associated death domain (Fadd) and Tripartite motif-containing 21 (Trim21) proteins. Proceeding: The 38th Congress on Science and Technology of Thailand (STT38)

Young, J.A., Sermwittayawong, D., Kim, H.J., Nandu, S., An, N., Erdjument-Bromage, H., Tempst, P., Coscoy, L., and Winoto, A. (2011). Fas-associated Death Domain (FADD) and the E3 Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase TRIM21 Interact to Negatively Regulate Virus-induced Interferon Production. The Journal of biological chemistry 286, 6521-6531.

Barrios A, Selleck W, Hnatkovich B, Kramer R, Sermwittayawong D, Tan S. (2007). Expression and purification of recombinant yeast Ada2/Ada3/Gcn5 and Piccolo NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complexes, Methods. (41), 271-277.

Sermwittayawong, D and Tan, S. (2006). SAGA binds TBP via its Spt8 subunit in

competition with DNA: a handoff model for SAGA recruitment of TBP to the core promoter, Embo J. 25, 3791-3800. Selleck, W., Fortin, I., Sermwittayawong, D., Cote, J., and Tan, S. (2005). The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Piccolo NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex requires the Enhancer of Polycomb A domain and chromodomain to acetylate nucleosomes. Mol Cell Biol 25, 5535-5542.

PRESENTATIONS:

Sermwittayawong, D., Sermwittayawong, N., Patninan, K., Towatana, N. β-glucan-containing polysaccharides from the gray oyster mushroom [Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.). Sing.] enhance neutrophil's killing activity on Candida albicans. (Poster Presentation). The 19th Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 51st Conference on Cholera and Other Bacterial Enteric Infections, Seoul, Korea, Feburary 7th-10th, 2017. Patninan, K., Sermwittayawong, D., Towatana, N., Noipha, K. Alkaline-soluble Polysaccharide from the Gray Oyster Mushroom stimulates Nitric Oxide Production in RAW 264.7 Macrophages. (Oral Presentation). The 28th Annual Meeting of the Thai Society for Biotechnology and International Conference (TSB 2016). Chiang Mai, Thailand, November 28th-30th, 2016.

Sermwittayawong, D., Patninan, K., Towatana, N., Noipha, K. Purification of Polysaccharides from the Gray Oyster Mushroom [Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Sing.]. (Poster). The 5th International Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Converence, Songkhla, Thailand, May 26th-27th, 2016. Jantaramanant, P., Sermwittayawong, D., Noipha, K., Hutadilok-Towatana, N., Wititsuwannakul, R. β-glucan-Containing Polysaccharide Extract from the Grey Oyster Mushroom [Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Sing.] Stimulates Glucose Uptake by the L6 Myotubes. (Oral Presentation). The 5th International Conference on Natural Products for Health and Beauty, Thailand, May 2014

Jakkawanpitak, C., Sermwittaywong, D., Waji, N., Hutadilok-Towatana, N. Economical method for midiprep plasmid DNA purification using diatomaceous earth. (Oral Presentation). The 39th Congress on Science and Technology of Thailand (STT39): Innovative Science for a Better Life, Thailand, October, 2010

Waji, N and Sermwittayawong, D. Characterization of the In Vitro Interaction Between Human Fas-associated Death Domain (FADD) and Tripartite Motif-Containing 21 (Trim21). (Poster). The 3rd Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Conference: From Basic to Translational Research for a Better Life, Thailand, April 6th-8th, 2010

Sermwittayawong, D and Tan, S. Identification of TBP interacting subunits in the yeast SAGA coactivator HAT complex. (Poster). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Mechanisms of Eukaryotic Transcription, USA, August 31st-September 4th, 2005

Sermwittayawong, D and Tan, S. Transcriptional regulation in yeast: How SAGA coactivator complex recruits TATA-binding protein (TBP). (Poster). 20th Graduate Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, USA, March 20th, 2005

AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS and HONORS:

SCHOLAR of the Development and Promotion of Science and Technology Talents Project (DPST), 1996-present. Thailand

PAUL BERG GRADUATE TRAVEL AWARD, 2005. The Pennsylvania State University

HONORABLE MENTION for the Althouse Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, 2001. The Pennsylvania State University

BRADDOCK GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP, 2000. The Pennsylvania State University

Curriculum Vitae

Name: Associate Prof. Dr. Porntip Prapunpoj

Contact address: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science

Prince of Songkla University

Fax: +66 74 446656

Email: porntip.p@psu.ac.th

Position: Deputy Head of department

Education:

1995-1999 PhD. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

The University of Melbourne, Australia

1984-1986 M.Sc. Department of Biochemistry

Mahidol University, Thailand

1980-1984 B.Sc. Department of Biochemistry

Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Working experiences:

2005-present Associate Professor

2000-2004 Assistant Professor

1987-1999 Lecturer

Research interests:

1. Structure and function relationship of thyroid hormone and its binding plasma

proteins

2. Transthyretin and its variants particular in Thai people

3. Alzheimer’s disease and amyloidosis, focusing on that related to amyloid and

transthyretin

4. Protein markers particular for Down syndrome and Major depression in Thai people

Ongoing researches:

1. Interaction between chimeric TTR and protein(s) in CSF, and its effect on abilities of

chimeric TTR to inhibit and disrupt amyloid

2. The mechanism of amyloid cleavage via the chimeric TTR producing human cell

line, and the production of human pluripotent stem cell expressing the chimeric TTR

3. Study and compare the inhibitory mechanism of chimeric TTR on the fibrillation and

toxicity to neurons of amyloid and -synuclein

4. Study of transthyretin-derived peptide and compare their inhibition effects on

fibrillation and toxicity of -amyloid

Selected Publications:

1. Leelawatwattana, L., Praphanphoj, V. and Prapunpoj, P. (2016) Proteolytic activity

of Crocodylus porosus transthyretin protease and role of the terminal polypeptide.

ScienceAsia 42, 190-200.

2. Khwanmunee J., Leelawatwattana L., Prapunpoj P. (2016) Gene structure and

evolution of transthyretin in the order Chiroptera. Genetica 71-83, doi:

10.1007/s10709-015-9879-5

3. Khwanmunee J., Leelawatwattana L., Prapunpoj P. (2016) Transthyretin intron 1

based interordinal relationships of Laurasiatheria. KKU Sci. J. 44, 475-492.

4. Supuntee S, Leelawatwattana L, Praphanphoj V, Prapunpoj P. (2012) Dynamic

protein expression profiles in Thai major depressive disorder with different responses

to Fluoxetine. Isan J. Pharm. Sci. 8, 47-54.

5. Leelawatwattana, L., Praphanphoj, V. and Prapunpoj, P. (2011) Effect of the N-

terminal sequence on the binding affinity of transthyretin for human retinol-binding

protein. FEBS J. 278, 3337-3347.

6. Ishihara, A., Rahman, F.B., Leelawatwattana, L., Prapunpoj, P. and Yamauchi, K.

(2009) In vitro thyroid hormone-disrupting activity in effluents and surface waters in

Thailand. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 28, 586-594.

7. Prapunpoj, P., Leelawatwatana, L, Schreiber, G. and Richardson, S.J. (2006) Change

in structure of the N-terminal region of transthyretin produces change in affinity of

transthyretin to T4 and T3. FEBS J. 273, 4013-4023.

8. Prapunpoj, P., Richardson, S.J. and Schreiber, G. (2002) Crocodile transthyretin:

structure, function and evolution. Am. J. Physiol. 283, R885-R896.

9. Schreiber, G., Richardson, S.J. and Prapunpoj, P. (2001) Structure and expression of

the transthyretin gene in the choroid plexus : a model for the study of the mechanism

of evolution. Micros. Res. Tech. 52, 21-30.

10. Prapunpoj, P., Richardson, S.J., Fumagalli, L. and Schreiber, G. (2000) The

evolution of the thyroid hormone distributor protein transthyretin in insectivore

mammals. Mol. Biol. Evol. 17, 1199-2109.

11. Prapunpoj, P., Yamauchi, K., Nishiyama, N., Richardson, S.J. and Schreiber, G.

(2000) Evolution of the structure, ontogeny of gene expression and function of

Xenopus transthyretin, and its synthesis in yeast. Am. J. Physiol. 279, R2026-R2041.

12. Yamauchi, K., Prapunpoj, P. and Richardson, S.J. (2000) Effect of diethylstilbestrol

on thyroid-hormone-binding to amphibian transthyretins. Gen. Comp. Endocrin. 119,

329-339.

Invited Reviews & Book Chapters:

1. Prapunpoj P. (2009) Evolution of Transthyretin Gene Structure. In: “Recent

Advances in Transthyretin Evolution, Structure and Biological Functions”.

Richardson S.J. and Cody V. eds. Springer Verlag. Berlin. pp. 45-58.

2. Prapunpoj, P. and Leelawatwattana, L. (2009) Evolutionary changes to transthyretin:

structure-function relationships. FEBS J. 276, 5330-5341.

WANISA SALAEMAE PR413 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University

Email: wanisa.sa@psu.ac.th, Tel. +66 74 288 258

EDUCATION 2010 - 2015 PhD in Biochemistry School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia 2004 - 2006 MSc in Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Thailand 2000 - 2004 BSc in Genetics Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

PUBLICATIONS

1. Salaemae, W., Booker, G.W., Polyak, S.W. (2016). The role of biotin in bacterial physiology and virulence: a novel antibiotic target for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Microbiology Spectrum 4(2); VMBF-0008-2015. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.

2. Salaemae, W., Yap, M.Y., Wegener, K.L., Booker, G.W., Wilce, M.C.J., Polyak, S.W. (2015). Nucleotide triphosphate promiscuity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Dethiobiotin Synthetase. Tuberculosis 95, 259-266.

3. Salaemae, W., Azhar, A., Booker, G.W., Polyak, S.W. (2011). Biotin biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: physiology, biochemistry and molecular intervention. Protein&Cell 2(9), 691-695.

4. Jungtrakoon, P., Plengvidhya, N., Tangjittipokin, W., Chimnaronk, S., Salaemae, W., Chongjaroen, N., Chanprasert, K., Sujjitjoon, J., Srisawat, C., Yenchitsomanus, P.T. (2011). Novel adiponectin variants identified in type 2 diabetic patients reveal multimerization and secretion defects. PLoS One 6(10):e26792.

5. Salaemae, W., Junaid, M., Angsuthanasombat, C., Katzenmeier, G. (2010). Structure-guided mutagenesis of active site residues in the dengue virus two-component protease NS2B-NS3. J Biomed Sci 17(68), 1-8.

PRESENTATIONS

1. Salaemae, W., Yap, M.Y., Polyak, S.W., Wilce, M.C.J., Booker, G.W. (2013). CTP analogs as novel inhibitors of Dethiobiotin synthetase: Implication for tuberculosis research. Drug Discovery and Therapy World Congress, Boston, USA. Poster Presentation.

2. Salaemae, W., Polyak, S.W., Booker, G.W. (2012). Novel inhibitors of Dethiobiotin synthetase from

Mycobacterium tuberculosis represent an avenue to the discovery of new anti-TB agents. Australian

Society for Medical Research Meeting SA Division Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia. Oral

Presentation.

3. Salaemae, W., Yap, M.Y., Polyak, S.W., Wilce, M.C.J., Booker, G.W. (2012). A new approach to

combat drug resistant tuberculosis via inhibiting the dethiobiotin synthetase. Adelaide Protein Group

Meeting, Adelaide, Australia. Poster Presentation.

4. Salaemae, W., Polyak, S.W., Booker, G.W. (2012). Dethiobiotin synthetase in Mycobacterium

tuberculosis: A novel drug target. 37th Lorne Proteins Conference, Lorne, Australia. Poster

Presentation.

5. Salaemae, W., Polyak, S.W., Booker, G.W. (2011). Novel inhibitors for the biotin biosynthesis

pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Australian Society for Medical Research Meeting SA

Division Scientific Meeting, Adelaide, Australia. Poster presentation.

6. Plengvidhya, N., Salaemae, W., Leejinda, K., Jungtrakoon, P., Chongjaroen, N., Tangjittipokin, W.,

BanChuin, N., Yenchitsomanus, P.T. (2009). A study of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ

(PPARg), Adiponectin, and Calpain-10 (CAPN10) genes in Thai patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

American Diabetes Association-69thScientific sessions, New Orleans, LA. Poster presentation.

7. Salaemae, W., Plengvidhya, N., BanChuin, N., Yenchitsomanus, P.T. (2008). Association analysis of

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARg) polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

in Thai patients. Siriraj Scientific Congress-The 120th Anniversary of Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of

Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand. Poster presentation.

8. Salaemae, W., Katzenmeier, G. (2006). Contribution of active site residues to key enzyme-substrate

interactions of the dengue virus NS3 serine protease. 32nd

congress of Science and Technology of

Thailand, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Thailand. Poster presentation.

Thanawat Pitakpornpreecha, Ph.D. Pr. 429, Tel. 6674-288-265, Fax: 6674-446-656

E-mail: Thanawat.psu@gmail.com, Thanawat.p@psu.ac.th

Education B. Pharm., Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, 2005

Ph.D., Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, 2010

Research of interests - Molecular biology and biochemistry of natural products - Biotechnology of Hevea latex - Protein and peptide drug delivery

Current projects - Molecular study of osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation stimulating activity of

polysaccharide from Hevea brasiliensis latex - Characterization of anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis protein from Hevea brasiliensis latex - Identification and characterization of Hevea latex protein enhancing candidacidal activity

of amphotericin B

Publications 1. Pitakpornpreecha, T., Plubrukarn, A. and Wititsuwannakul, R. 2012. Quantification

of 5’-deoxy-5’-methylthioadenosine in heat treated natural rubber latex serum. Phytochem. Anal. 23: 12-15. (journal impact factor 2011: 2.633) 2. Pangsomboon, K., Kaewnopparat, S., Pitakpornpreecha, T. and Srichana, T. 2006. Antibacterial activity of a bacteriocin from Lactobacillus paracaesi HL32 against Porphyromonas gingivalis. Arch Oral Biol. 51: 784-793. (journal impact factor 2011: 1.603)

Proceeding 1. Pitakpornpreecha, T., Plubrukarn, A. and Wititsuwannakul, R. 5’-Deoxy-5’-

methylthioadenosine (MTA) as a by-product of natural rubber serum. powder (NRSP). The Second International Conference on Natural Products for Health and Beauty (NATPRO), 2008 Dec 17-19th; Naresuan University at Phayao, Phayao Province, Thailand. P. 120. 2. Pitakpornpreecha, T., Plubrukarn, A. and Wititsuwannakul, R. 5’-Deoxy-5’-methylthioadenosine (MTA) as a by-product of natural rubber serum. Powder (NRSP). American Society of Pharmacognosy 50th Annual Meeting, 2009 June 27th-July 1st, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. 3. Pitakpornpreecha, T., Plubrukarn, A. and Wititsuwannakul, R. 5’-Deoxy-5’-methylthioadenosine from natural rubber serum. RGJ Seminar Seriers LXIV: enciec eic

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4. Yodthong, T., Wititsuwannakul, R., Panyayong, K., Pitakpornpreecha, T. Osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation stimulating activity of compounds from Hevea brasiliensis latex. Proceeding of The 3rd Current drug development international conference; 2014 May 1-4; Krabi, Thailand. Songkhla; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla university; 2014. 5. Changsalak, T., Wititsuwannakul, R., Teanpaisan, R., Pitakpornpreecha, T. Anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis compounds from Hevea brasiliensis latex. Proceeding of The 3rd Current drug development international conference; 2014 May 1-4; Krabi, Thailand. Songkhla; Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla university; 2014. 6. Pitakpornpreecha, T., Kanokwiroon, K., Teanpaisan, R., Wititsuwannakul, D., Wititsuwannakul. Identification and characterization of Hevea latex protein enhancing candidacidal activity of amphotericin B. Proceeding of The 5th International biochemistry and molecular biology conference, 2016 May 26-27, Songkhla, Thailand. Prince of Songkla university; 2016.