Research

Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma

Liver fluke infestation and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remain one of the major health problems of populations in the northeast of Thailand, as well as the neighbouring countries of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. In Thailand alone, over 6 million people harbour the liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini). Infection with this parasite is the major risk factor for developing CCA. Each year 20,000 people develop CCA in Thailand alone, most of whom come from the northeast of the country. As Khon Kaen University was the first university established in the northeast region, and is dedicated to social devotion, we have a commitment to provide health care and reduce the disease burden of this cancer.

Graduate students taking part in community ultrasound screening

The research on cholangiocarcinoma range from investigating molecular details of the diseases using biochemical as well as computational high-throughput multi-omic approaches, testing potential treatments from clinical data and finding new compounds, developing diagnostic platforms, and working with communities. This work is effective and possible thank to collaborations, particularly with the Cholangiocarcinoma Research Institute (CARI), Data Management and Statistical Analysis Center (DAMASAC), Faculty of Science Khon Kaen University, plus multiple national and international networks.

Using multidisciplinary research, we work towards an improved novel prevention, diagnostic platform, and therapeutic measures for CCA. With this research, we aim to aid risk assessment and long-term measures for the prevention and treatment of CCA and opisthorchiasis in endemic communities and to improve their quality of life.

1H‐NMR spectra of the intracellular metabolites of KKU‐100 and KKU‐213 cells. From Promraksa et al. (2021) Biomolecules, DOI: 10.3390/biom11030476
Co-localization of CD44v9 and CK-19 with immunofluorescence staining showing effects of treatment in in vivo model on cancer stem cell makers. From Thanee et al (2021) Cancer & Metabolism, DOI: 10.1186/s40170-021-00249-6

Nutritions for All

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Chronic Kidney Diseases

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Research Facilities

Enabling the future

Technologies

Researchers at our department have access to a wide range of modern and classical technologies thanks to generous support from Khon Kaen University, the Faculty of Medicine, and our collaborations. These platforms are utilised for both research and educational purposes.

Biochemical and Molecular Biology Techniques

Purification, extraction, detection, characterisation of biomolecules and metabolites, DNA, RNA, protein manipulation and production


Computational and Systems Biology techniques

Metabolomics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, microbiome and data integration, high-throughput spectroscopic analysis


Cell Culture and Disease Modelling

2D and 3D cell culture, mammalian cell culture, bacteria cell culture, cell staining, cell imaging, biological disease model, xenograft


Nanotechnology and Biosensor

Nanoparticle-based detection, drug delivery system, diagnostic development

See what we are doing

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