Project News

Three Thai senior counterparts visited Be-HoBiD researchers in Japan.

• Prof. Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, Project Director, Joint Coordinating Committee Chairperson, President of Kasetsart University (KU) : 31/8/2022 - 06/09/2022
• Assoc Prof. Dr. Apisit Songsasen, Deputy Project Director, Dean of Faculty of Science, KU: 31/8/2022 - 06/09/2022
• Prof. Dr. Arinthip Thamchaipenet, Principal Investigator, Project Manager, Faculty of Science, KU (PI of SATREPS PJT): 31/8/2022 - 10/09/2022

Purpose and expected outcomes of this visit were as follows.

Purpose :

1. To visit the project implementing organizations in Japan and have discussions about;
   a. Deepening cooperation between Japanese institutions and Thai institutions
   b. Catching up project activities delayed by the pandemic
   c. Overall project management
   d. 1st Joint Coordinating Committee Meeting
2. To inspect research facilities and discuss with Japanese researchers;
   a. to know Japanese organizations' research facilities and capacities,
   b. to see ongoing research works related to the project
   c. to exchange view on the project activities / research works
   (for Dr. Arinthip)
3. to have detailed discussion about the project activities in terms of;
   a. Application of equipment and methods for research works
   b. Planning activities such as counterpart training
   c. Others

Expected outcomes:

1. Fill the gap in coordination caused by the pandemic.
2. Strengthen ties between Thai and Japanese institutions for the project implementation.

During the visit, they had series of discussions, meetings, and research facility inspections etc. Summary is as follows.

• At Kyoto University: Courtesy call to Prof. Nagahiro MINATO, President of Kyoto U, discussion with Assoc. Prof. Tokitaka OYAMA (Group2*) and facilities tour.
• At Osaka University: Courtesy visit to Prof. Shojiro NISHIO, President of OU, visit to laboratories of Prof. Michihiko IKE and Assoc. Prof. Daisuke INOUE (Group3*)
• At Hokkaido University: Paid a courtesy call on Prof. Kiyohiro HOUKIN, President of HU, discussion with Prof. Masaaki MORIKAWA (Chief Researcher,) and Prof. Ken'ichiro MATSUMOTO (, Group 4-2*)

It is most thoughtful of all the Universities and you all to accept and help the visit program.

*The project consists of six groups namely:
G1: Duckweed Holobiont Resource & Research Center (DHbRC).
G2: Duckweed holobiont collection.
G3.: Duckweed holobiont analysis and biotechnology.
G4.: Duckweed biomass utilization.
G5.: Duckweed wastewater treatment technology.
G6: Social implementation activities toward BCG economy.

Meeting with Professor Shojiro Nishio, President of Osaka University

Visit to the International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University

Observation training of Metabolome Analysis at Fukusaki Laboratory, Osaka University

Meeting with Professor Nagahiro Minato, President of Kyoto University

Meeting with Professor Nagahiro Minato, President of Kyoto University

Observation training of the Duckweed Culture Collection at Oyama Laboratory, Kyoto University

Meeting with Professor Kiyohiro Hokin, President of Hokkaido University

Meeting with Professor Kiyohiro Hokin, President of Hokkaido University

Observation training of Duckweed Horobiont Observation Technique at Morikawa Laboratory, Hokkaido University

Observation training of Bioplastic production technology at Matsumoto Laboratory, Hokkaido University

Observation training of Wolffia Vertical Farming Technology at floatmeal, Hokkaido University