My research work focuses on autophagy role in intracellular pathogen elimination from the liver. More specifically, my goal is to assess the importance of host autophagy downstream of IFN-γ in the elimination of the human malarial parasite, Plasmodium vivax. I was able to partially characterize some of the autophagy-related proteins that are involved in the killing of this pathogen and ruling out a well-known mechanism for liver stage Plasmodium elimination in rodent malaria, the nitric oxide pathway. Altogether, we have discovered a new innate immune mechanism called LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP)-like process (Boobhok et al., PNAS, 2016). This process serves as a previously unidentified downstream effector of IFN-γ in elimination of the liver-stage human malarial parasite, P. vivax.

Rachasak Boonhok, Ph.D. student

My project is to characterize cellular pathways involved in the liver-stage human malarial parasite P. vivax infection. Particullarly, I am interested in pathways that the liver cells utilize in response to P. vivax infection and factors that the parasite needs from the host to establish successful infection. I am using high-content analysis technology in the context of liver-stage Plasmodium infection to help identify these pathways and further characterize these pathways through functional genetic and phenotypic studies.

Wiwatchai Chanbanchong, Adjunct Ph.D. student

 

My research interest is on autophagy and its role in the control of intracellular pathogens using Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a model. Currently, I am screening for compounds that can truly activate autophagy/autophagic flux which may be useful for the control of infection and inflammation.

Jiraporn Paha, M.Sc. student

 

 

My project is to develop the most optimal procedure to produce M. tuberculosis Ag85B protein in large quantity with the minimum cost. Ag85B is highly immunogenic and is currently being incorporated as one of M. tuberculosis vaccine antigens in subunit vaccines currently being tested in tuberculosis vaccine trials.

Napassorn Chamchoi, Adjunct M.Sc. student

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University

 

My project is to identify host and mycobacterial factors that are responsible for the evasion of autophagic killing by the M. tuberculosis Beijing strains in host macrophages. We are currently employing RNA-seq technology for determining the changes in gene expression, in both host and mycobacterial cells to help identifying potential candidate genes.

Ellie Mueller, Visiting B.Sc. student

University of Wisconsin–Madison

 

My project is to determine the immunogenicity of synthesized antigens mimicking the molecules present on the surface of M. tuberculosis. We are currently testing these molecules in mice and examining their ability to elicit both the humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. We are doing this by measuring antibody production in mouse serum and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation and cytokine production after ex vivo restimulation of the splenocytes with the antigens.

Varittha Sritalaharauthai, Research assistant

 

Md Fazlul Haque, Ph.D. student, 2011-2015

Current position : Assistant Professor at Rajshahi University

 

Project : Characterization of autophagic control variation to different Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotypes in host macrophages.

 

Krittika Rudeejaroonrung, Adjunct B.Sc. student, 2015-2016

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT),Thammasat University

 

Project : Gene expression and protein purification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine antigens.

 

Ponchanok Suwan, Adjunct B.Sc. student, 2015-2016

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT),Thammasat University

 

Project : Gene expression and protein purification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine antigens.

 

 

Suparwadee Lormlek, Adjunct B.Sc. student, 2015-2016

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University

 

Project : Gene expression and protein purification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine antigens.

 

 

Thanchanok Nantamas, Adjunct B.Sc. student, 2015-2016

Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University

 

Project : Gene expression and protein purification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine antigens.