Our lab welcomes motivated rotation students interested in molecular genetics, host–pathogen interactions, emerging fungal infections, and unconventional fungal biology. Rotation projects are designed to provide hands-on experience in molecular biology, microbiology, data analysis, and scientific thinking. Below are examples of ongoing and available rotation projects.
1. Cryptococcus Genetics & Cell Biology
DNA damage repair, ubiquitin-like proteins, stress adaptation
Cryptococcus neoformans is an important human fungal pathogen with a unique genomic and regulatory landscape. Rotation students may work on:
Cryptococcus neoformans is an important human fungal pathogen with a unique genomic and regulatory landscape. Rotation students may work on:
- Identification and characterization of DNA damage repair pathways essential for survival under host-like stresses.
- Functional studies of ubiquitin-like (UBL) modifiers, including roles in protein quality control, nuclear processes, and virulence regulation.
- Genome engineering using CRISPR-Cas9, gene knockout/knock-in construction, and phenotype assays (growth, stress resistance, capsule and melanin production).
Students will learn fungal genetics, molecular cloning, and microscopy-based phenotyping.
2. Emerging Sporotrichosis: Pathogenesis and Pet-Associated Transmission
Sporothrix schenckii complex infections are rapidly rising in Thailand, particularly those transmitted from infected cats to humans. Available projects include:
- Molecular identification and genotyping of clinical and veterinary Sporothrix isolates.
- Assays to study virulence traits such as thermal tolerance, melanization, and stress response pathways.
- Development of simple detection tools for community or veterinary use.
This project suits students interested in emerging infectious diseases, public health, or one-health fungal epidemiology.
3. Edible Mushrooms, Bioengineering, and Human Health
Food–pathogen interface | Synthetic biology of mushrooms
Although many mushrooms are edible and safe, some species can opportunistically infect humans under certain conditions. Our lab studies both the beneficial and pathogenic potential of edible fungi. Possible rotation directions include:
Although many mushrooms are edible and safe, some species can opportunistically infect humans under certain conditions. Our lab studies both the beneficial and pathogenic potential of edible fungi. Possible rotation directions include:
- Genetic manipulation of edible mushrooms (e.g., Pleurotus, Volvariella) to understand genes involved in morphology, development, and stress resistance.
- Screening for traits associated with opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts.
- Synthetic biology of mushrooms as alternative protein or future food sources.
Students will gain experience in fungal cultivation, DNA/RNA work, and phenotypic assays.
4. Additional Rotation Themes
Depending on your interests, we also offer short projects in:
- Microgravity and space biology of pathogenic fungi
- Fungal stress signaling pathways
- High-content microscopy for morphological profiling
- Bioinformatics for genome mining, gene-family evolution, and RNA-seq analysis
Rotation projects typically last 6–8 weeks, with flexibility based on student interests and program requirements.
How to Join
If you are interested in pursuing a rotation in our lab, please contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sittinan Chanarat via email with a brief introduction and your research interests. We welcome students from SCBC, SCBI, SCBM, BSIP, and allied programs.