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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARDS
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| ACHIEVEMENT OF PROFESSOR DR. MONTRI CHULAVATNATOL ABSTRACT To provide basic understanding that contributes to the lasting peace of mankind, Professor Dr. Montri Chulavatnatol has made the following achievements in both research and management in science and technology in the past 25 years. |
| 1. Research
on male productive system uncovered: the effect of caffeine
on the sperm motility; the role of secretory proteins from the
epididymal on sperm maturation. An acidic protease in seminal
plasma was discovered; so were new sialoglycoproteins with steroid-binding
activity and with coagulum inducing activity. The discovery pointed
to new approach in contraception and reproductive biotechnology. |
| 2.Research
on lectins led to the discovery of 4 new lectins from
jackfruit, taro, black tiger prawn and mulberry. These lectins
showed potential usage in medicine and agriculture. |
| 3.Research
on cassava revealed the properties of linamarase and
hydroxynitrile lyase, the enzymes essential for the degradative
release of cyanide from linamarin in cassava. Discovery of inhibitors
to the linamarin synthesis opened up a possible control of the
cyanogenic compounds in cassava and hence a safer food in the
future. |
4. Management
and support of science and technology contributed to
the performance of several institutions both within and without
Thailand, namely Mahidol University, the Science Society of Thailand,
National Science and Technology Development Board, Thai Tapioca
Development Institute, World Health Organization, Cassava Biotechnology
Network, ASEAN and Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists. |
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INTRODUCTION |
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The main
objective of research and management achievements of Professor Dr. Montri
Chulavatnatol is to help create a lasting peace for mankind through
science and technology. The objective has guided the choice of research
topics which will enhance the quality of life. The academic soundness and
fairness form the working principles while the international standard is
upheld. The driving force through out the professional career in the past
25 years is the joy of discovery. In addition to the scientific
achievements, a total of 31 graduates have been trained, 21 M.Sc. and 10
Ph.D. graduates. These graduates have gone on to pursue their successful
professions in both public and private sectors nation-wide. This article
consists of 4 parts: 3 scientific research achievements and 1 management
achievement. |
| 1. Achievements in Research on Male Reproductive System |
a. Sperm Mechanism of sperm motility was identified
as the focus of the research in order to seek intervention
of sperm motility as a mean towards male contraception.
The research group was the first to discover the activation
of sperm motility by caffeine. Also studied were the energy
(ATP) requirement, mechanisms of tail movement, the role
of cAMP and the importance of phosphorylation of microtubules
in sperm motility. The understanding led to clinical test
of caffeine stimulation of sperm motility to improve on
the success of in vitro fertilization. |
b. Epididymis Sperm leaving the testis are immature and incapale
of fertilization. The fertilizing capability is imparted when
the sperm undergo maturation during passage through the epididymal
tubule. The research mapped out changes on the surface of the
sperm during epididymal maturation as detected by quantitation
of sialic content, anion sites, sialoglcoproteins and lectin-binding
characteristics. Under the testosterone control, the epididymis
also secreted proteins that can bind and modify the sperm surface.
An epididymal sialoglycoprotein was discovered to possess an
alpha-lactalbumin activity which blocked and protected the egg-binding
sites of the sperm during maturation. In addition, an immobulin
from the epididymal secretion was found to be responsible to
a marked increase in the viscosity of the epididymal fluid.
The high viscosity kept the mature sperm quiescent in the epididymis
and preserving the sperm energy. |
c. Proteins in seminal plasma The research uncovered several
new proteins and enzyme in semen. An acidic protease and its proenzyme
were discovered and the proenzyme activation into the active enzyme
was described. Also discovered was a new sialoglycoprotein from
ventral prostate that possesses steroid-binding activity. Another
new sialoglycoprotein from seminal vesicle was discovered to be
responsible for semen coagulation following ejaculation. The knowledge
pointed to a novel approach to male fertility control by enhancing
the viscosity of semen with the addition of lectins to aggregate
glycoproteins in the semen. |
| 2. Achievements in Research on Lectins |
Experience derived from the studies of glycoproteins on sperm
surface and in seminal plasma and their interaction with sugar-specific
lectins initiated the search for rare and expensive lectins from
plant and animal sources in Thailand. The research achievements
included the discovery and the characterization of 4 new lectins. |
| a. JFL Jackfruit lectin (JFL) was found to be a galactose-specific lectin from Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus). Among the wide range of usage, JFL was applied to characterize changes on the surface of cancer cells and to detect of viruses including HIV. |
| b. Taro lectin A new lectin was discovered in taro (Colocasia esculenta) and it specifically agglutinated immature sperm. |
c. Monodin Monodin was a new sialic acid-specific lectin
isolated from hemolymph of black tiger prawn (Peneus
monodon). The lectin was abundent in prawns infected
with a specific bacterium Vibrio vulnificus. Monodin was
found to specifically agglutinate the bacterium. |
d. A new lectin
from mulberry leaf (MLL) was discovered to specifically
bind sialic acid. MLL was found to activate certain proteolytic
enzyme in the gut of silkworm (Bombyx mori) and
can cause agglutination of infective bacteria of mulberry
leaf. MLL was hence potential useful to silkworm rearing
and Thai silk industry. |
| 3. Achievement in Research on Cassava |
Cassava is an important economic crop of Thailand,
pertinent to the livelihood of millions of poor farmers as well
as important to food industry and novel industrial production. However,
cassava possesses cyanogenic compounds responsible for chronic cyanide
toxicity in man and animals fed with cassava-based products. To
enhance food safety, research was initiated on the biochemical synthesis
and degradation of two cyanogenic glucosides in cassava, namely
linamarin and loaustralin. Professor Dr. Montri Chulavatnatol collaborated
with Assoc. Professor Dr. Somsak Ruchirawat of the Department of
Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University on the project
which was funded by USAID. Later the collaboration was established
with Professor B.L. Moller of Royal Agricultural and Veterinary
University in Copenhagen and Professor Dr. M.A. Hughes of University
of Newcastle in United Kingdom under a grant support from the European
Union. The characterization of linamarase and hydroxynitrile lyase
involved in the degradation of linamarin was conducted. Professor
Dr. M.R. Jisnuson Svasti also asssisted in the linamarase study.
Linamarin synthesis study was performed using plant tissue culture
which was kindly provided by Mrs. Yupa Mongkolsook of Kasetsart
University. Several inhibitors of the synthesis were identified
and they could be useful in controlling the cyanogenic compounds
in cassava crop in the field. |
| 4. Achievement in management and support of science and technology |
Due to manpower shortage
in Thailand, some scientists have to assume certain management
responsibilities to develop science and technology systematically and
efficiently. Professor Dr. Montri Chulavatnatol has made several
contributions in supporting the development of science and technology as
follows. |
a. Within Mahidol University As the Chairman of the Department of Biochemistry,
Professor Dr. Montri Chulavatnatol implemented an operational system to
allow staff members to engage in research and stimulated the formation of
research groups on malaria, genetic engineering and biotechnology. As the
Director of the Center for Applied Academic Services, he applied academic
capabilities to solve problems in both public and private sectors. In the
position of Vice President, he implemented academic programs of the
President, Professor Dr. Pradit
Chareonthaitawee. |
b. At the national level In the position of Deputy Director, he supervised the R&D
granting programs of the Thai-U.S. cooperation of Science and
Technology Development Board. He also participated in the formation
of National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
and served as its Deputy Director. He also served in several positions
in the Science Society of Thailand, namely Chairman of Biochemistry
Section, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Science and
Technology Conference of Thailand and currently the President
of the Society. He stimulated Thai scientists to collaborate with
government departments and private corporations to promote science
and technology at all levels, from students, professionals and
general public. Professor Dr. Montri Chulavatnatol headed a study
team to formulate a management system for government science and
technology and made recommendations to the Civil Service Commission.
In addition, he assisted Thai Tapioca Development Institute in
technology development and transfer to Thai tapioca industry. |
| c. At international level Professor Dr. Montri Chulavatnatol participated in the steering of international research projects of Human Reproduction Programme of World Health Organization. He currently served on the Steering Committee of Cassava Biotechnology Network. He was a consult developimg strategies for implementation of 5-year plan of Committee on Science and Technology of ASEAN. With the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists, he was the Chairman organizing a congress and Chairman of the Fellowship Committee. |
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS |
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Thanks
are expressed to collaborators and students mentioned in this article and
listed in the publications. Also thanked are supporting staff of the
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, staff
of the Science Society of Thailand and staff at the offices associated in
the past. Supports from various sources mentioned were appreciated. I
thank Valda (wife) and Varamon (daughter) for their moral support. Lastly,
I deeply thank Thailand Torey Science Foundation for the 1996 Science and
Technology Award |
| Further details on my
interest and responsibilities; Please contact: Thitika Vajrodaya TeL: 662-2015600, mobile: 09-8853092 email: [email protected] |