National Biobank of Thailand
National Biobank of Thailand (NBT) supports infrastructure for the conservation of the biological resources of Thailand, and carries out research using advanced technology on the value and potential for development of biological resources from the genetic to the ecosystem level. Biomaterials collected and stored at Biobank are a vital platform for maintaining the current and future bio-economy of the kingdom.
Sissades Tongsima, PhD
Director
Vision
National Biobank of Thailand envisions using modern techmology to help maintain the natural biological resources of the kingdom for future use and enjoyment. These resources are increasingly becoming threatened and reduced by overexploitation, pollution, and anthropogenic climate change. Global warming is certain to have effects on the survival of our crops and on the species in natural forest ecosystems and will reduce the viability of plant and animal species and their interactions. New creative methods are needed to study and preserve genomes, species, and ecosystems before they become degraded or irreparably lost.
Mission
1. To support nation’s long-term conservation program including:
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Plant conservation
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Microbial reference portal
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Animal conservation
What do we store?
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Wild endangered species: these organisms may not yet be proven to be valuable, but they could play key role, interacting with other organisms to balance the ecological system
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Research species: these organisms may come from local wisdom/R&D or even those germplasms used in breeding programs that people spent significant budget, time, and effort to maintain and derive them.
2. To support and maintain bio-based digital platforms for sustainable use of nation’s bioresources including:
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Biological databases and knowledge management
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Computational infrastructures and bioinformatic tools
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Specimen management systems
Benefits for utilizing biodata
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Value-added service: using reference data to verify identities of valuable bioresources via NBT comprehensive databases
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New findings/business opportunities: harnessing genomic data via our computational platforms
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Standardized biobanking services: maintaining high standard with our specimen management systems, procedures and other key protocols that help achieve the long-term conservation goals
Infrastructure
National Biobank of Thailand is infrastructure to support the long-term conservation of biological resources. Research to produce knowledge from integrating information and creating tools for sustainable use of information. As well as supporting the processing and management of Thai population genetic information
Genome Data Bank (50K GeTH)
Processing and management of 50,000 Thai populations genetic data by establishing a data access system for research, develop standards of data and diagnostic tools. Create system for Security and maintaining data privacy of volunteers
Staff
Sissades Tongsima, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
NBSU (National Biobank Service Unit)
NBSU (National Biobank Service Unit) established to promote the application of research findings in service-oriented endeavors, facilitating communication, providing consultation, and developing service initiatives derived from research to meet the needs of service recipients. The team is prepared to engage in business and research collaborations
Staff
Rujipat Wasitthankasem Ph.D.
Team Leader
Technology supports the Mission
Automated sample deep freezing storage and management systems: Brooks Life Science Systems (Brooks BioStoreTM II -80 Celsius & SampleStoreTM II -20 Celsius)
A high-throughput automated seed viability testing system: LemnaTecTM Scanalyzer
Advanced Plant factory system providing a computerized-control cultivation environment
Plant tissue culture and Cryopreservation systems
Microbial Identification platform: MALDI Biotyper system
Specimen Management System (SMS)
Bioinformatics
High Performance Computing system (HPC) and big data storage and analytical systems