Faculty & Adjunct Professors (BSE): Pimchai Chaiyen


Chaiyen Research Group


Dr.Chaiyen's lab team focuses on developing deep insights into enzymatic mechanisms, discovering new enzymatic functions, and re-routing metabolic networks. The team also includes technology and engineering specialists focusing on prototype development, scaling up, and implementation for real-life usage.


About us


Dr. Chaiyen’s research interests are in the broad areas of enzyme catalysis, enzyme engineering, systems biocatalysis, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology. Her group studies flavin-dependent, PLP-dependent, redox, and aldolase enzymes. They have contributed significantly to understanding many fundamental aspects of these systems, including mechanisms of oxygen activation by flavoenzymes, reduced flavin transfer between proteins, oxygenation, and oxidation by flavin-dependent enzymes. In addition to developing deep insights into enzymatic mechanisms, they also focus on discovering new enzymatic functions and re-routing metabolic networks.


A recent signature success of work in Chaiyen’s group is the use of an approach combining mechanistic enzymology and enzyme engineering. A fundamental understanding of enzymatic reactions can effectively support engineering methodology to improve the properties of biocatalysts or engineered cells. Chaiyen’s lab always exercises their biomolecular engineering via a semi-rational or mechanism-guided approach which has resulted in several examples of successful enzyme and metabolic engineering programs with efficient resource utilization. Chaiyen’s group is also interested in translating their scientific discoveries into real-life applications. They are passionate about contributing to developments in the area of sustainability. Their enzyme engineering, biocatalysis, and synthetic biology work aim to develop technologies to support the circular economy (CO2 utilization), biohydrogen production, green chemistry, food safety, biosensors, and bioimaging. To further this mission, her group has collaborated with several private sector entities and also founded their own startups, Enzmart Biotech in 2016 and BioSynThai Biotech in 2020.


Read more about Pimchai Chaiyen's Biography and work in Chaiyen P. Pimchai Chaiyen’s biography. Biophysical Reviews 2022; Jun;14:613-7.


 


Contact:


Office of the President, Vidyasirimedhi Building and School of Biomolecular Science & Engineering (BSE), 

Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Wangchan Valley, Rayong, THAILAND

Tel: (+66)33 014 060 | Email: pimchai.chaiyen@vistec.ac.th




BiographyEducation:


1997
Ph. D. Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
1992
B.Sc. (First Class Hons) Chemistry, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand


Research and Professional Experience:




2023-present
President of VISTEC (as the 2nd President)
2021-present
Associate Editor, ACS Catalysis
2018-2022
Visiting Professor, Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Japan
2018-2020
Visiting Professor, Biomedical Research Institute, Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
2017-2023
Adjunct Professor, Dept of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
2017-present
Professor, School of Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC)
2009-2017
Professor, Dept of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
2005
Associate Prof, Dept of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
2001
Assistant Prof, Dept of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
1997
Lecturer, Dept of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University
1994
Teaching assistant in Enzyme Kinetics for graduate students, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
1993/1996
Teaching assistant in Biochemistry Laboratory for undergraduate and graduate students, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor




Awards and Distinctions:


2023
Excellent Invention Award from NRCT “Biocatalyst for conversion of phenolic compounds to valuable chemicals and pesticide detection technology” from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
2023
Research Distinction Award for “Mechanistic studies and rational engineering for increasing catalytic capability of a flavin-dependent halogenase” from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
2021
Appointed Associate Editor ACS Catalysis
2020
Research Excellence Award for “Pyranose 2-oxidase as an efficient biocatalyst for sugar conversion” from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
2020
Honorable mention invention from NRCT “BioVis fermentation unit for high efficiency biogas and biofertilizer production” (2020)
2020
Honorable mention invention from NRCT “Smart pesticide detection for food safety”
2019
Outstanding Protein Scientist of Thailand
2019
Distinguished Alumni Lectureship, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
2017
L’oreal-Unesco Woman in Science Crystal Award for the most accomplished woman scientist in Thailand (Life Science)
2017
First Place in Final Pitch Session “Leaders in Innovation Fellowship” hosted by Royal Academy of Engineering and Newton Fund, UK
2017
Innovation Award for “Protein Markers” from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
2017
Research Excellence Award for “Serine hydroxymethyltransferase as a malarial drug target” from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
2016
Received title TRF Senior Research Scholar and Research Team Building Grant from The Thailand Research Fund
2016
Project Bacterial Luciferase as a Gene Reporter invited to participate in Tech Planter Final Grand Prix, Tokyo (A platform promoted by Leave a Nest Co., Japan, to help science professionals develop business skills)
2016
BioTalk Plenary Award from Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering Society of Taiwan
2015
Outstanding Alumni Award from Royal Thai Government Scholarship Alumni Association
2015
Outstanding Scientist of Thailand 2015, Foundation for Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of H. M. the King, Thailand
2015
Speaker at TEDx Bangkok 2015
2014
Chair of the Organizing Committee, IUBMB 18th International Symposium on Flavins and Flavoproteins
2013
Received title TRF Senior Research Scholar and Research Team Building Grant from The Thailand Research Fund
2012
Outstanding Researcher Award (Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy Section) from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
2011
Outstanding Alumni Award from Prince of Songkla University
2010
TRF-CHE-Scopus Researcher Award
2010
Taguchi Prize for Outstanding Research Achievement in Biotechnology
2010
Exemplary Lecturer Award from Mahidol University Faculty Senate
2009
Invited to World Economic Forum, Annual Meeting of the New Champions
2009
Faculty of Science Outstanding Lecturer Award (First-Middle Level)
2009
BMB Award from Section of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, The Science Society of Thailand under the Patronage of H.M. the King, Thailand
2008-2012
Affiliate Fellow of TWAS (Academy of Sciences for the Developing World)
2005
Young Scientist Award, Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of H. M. the King, Thailand
2003
L'oreal-Unesco Fellowship for Woman in Science in Thailand
1998
Murphy Award from Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (for outstanding publication series)
1995
Chrisman Award from Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (for outstanding Ph.D. candidate)
1985-1997
Scholarship from Development and Promotion of Science and Technology Talent Project, Government of Thailand
1989, 1993
Dr. Tap Nilaniti Outstanding Graduate Award
1985
Distinguished Student Award from Princess Sirindhorn



 



Publications:


Journal, Note

Expanding beyond the capability of nature

Prakinee K.

Nature Chemical Biology ,2025, 211 



Journal, Review

Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction for Designing Biocatalysts and Investigating their Functional Mechanisms

Prakinee K.

JACS Au ,2024, 412 



Journal, Article

Mechanistic insights into allosteric regulation of the reductase component of p-hydroxyphenylacetate 3-hydroxylase by p-hydroxyphenylacetate: a model for effector-controlled activity of redox enzymes

Visitsatthawong S.

RSC Chemical Biology ,2024, 61 



Journal, Article

One-Pot Enzymatic Cascade for Toxicant Degradation and Sugar Acid Production

Pongsupasa V.

ChemBioChem ,2024, 2523 e202400281



Journal, Note

The STRENDA Biocatalysis Guidelines for cataloguing metadata

Malzacher S.

Nature Catalysis ,2024, 712 160018



Journal, Article

An Enzymatic Oxidation Cascade Converts δ-Thiolactone Anthracene to Anthraquinone in the Biosynthesis of Anthraquinone-Fused Enediynes

Ma G.L.

JACS Au ,2024, 48 



Journal, Note

Enzyme evolution, engineering and design: mechanism and dynamics: general discussion

Acevedo-Rocha C.

Faraday Discussions ,2024, 252 



Journal, Note

Biocatalytic pathways, cascades, cells and systems: general discussion

Abramiuk M.

Faraday Discussions ,2024, 252 



Journal, Article

Enhancement of tryptophan 2-monooxygenase thermostability by semi-rational enzyme engineering: a strategic design to minimize experimental investigation

Kongjaroon S.

RSC Chemical Biology ,2024, 510 



Journal, Article

On the Mechanisms of Hypohalous Acid Formation and Electrophilic Halogenation by Non-Native Halogenases

Prakinee K.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition ,2024, 6324 e202403858



Journal, Note

Transforming to a sustainable and circular chemical sector

Maertens A.

One Earth ,2024, 75 



Journal, Article

Integrated Continuous-Flow Production of Wax Esters Combining Whole-Cell and In Vitro Biocatalysis

Buttranon S.

Organic Process Research and Development ,2024, 285 



Journal, Article

Enhancement of essential cofactors for in vivo biocatalysis

Intasian P.

Faraday Discussions ,2024, 252 



Journal, Conference Paper

A versatile in situ cofactor enhancing system for meeting cellular demands for engineered metabolic pathways

Jaroensuk J.

Journal of Biological Chemistry ,2024, 3002 105598



Journal, Article

Isolation and characterization of Enterococcus faecalis isolate VT-H1: A highly efficient hydrogen-producing bacterium from palm oil mill effluent (POME)

Woraruthai T.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy ,2024, 49 



Journal, Article

Continuous-flow chemo-enzymatic gram-scale synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid

Mapinta S.

Green Chemistry ,2024, undefined 



Journal, Article

A high catalytic efficiency and chemotolerant formate dehydrogenase from Bacillus simplex

Boonkumkrong R.

Biotechnology Journal ,2024, 191 2300330



Journal, Review

Unifying and versatile features of flavin-dependent monooxygenases: Diverse catalysis by a common C4a-(hydro)peroxyflavin

Phintha A.

Journal of Biological Chemistry ,2023, 29912 105413



Journal, Article

Efficient Enzymatic Cascade Synthesis of α-Olefins via Colocalization onto Graphene Oxides and Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Worrarat N.

Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research ,2023, 6247 



Journal, Article

Reaction mechanism and kinetics of the two-component flavoprotein dimethyl sulfone monooxygenase system: Using hydrogen peroxide for monooxygenation and substrate cleavage

Mangkalee M.

FEBS Journal ,2023, 29021 



Journal, Review

Enzymes in riboflavin biosynthesis: Potential antibiotic drug targets

Jaroensuk J.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics ,2023, 748 109762



Journal, Article

Structure and biochemical characterization of an extradiol 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase from Acinetobacter baumannii

Pimviriyakul P.

Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics ,2023, 747 109768



Journal, Article

Continuous monooxygenase-mediated biodegradation of phenol derivatives in wastewater: Optimization of flow conditions

Naramittanakul A.

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering ,2023, 115 111010



Journal, Article

Metal additives for boosting hydrogen production in anaerobic fermentation: Focus on the change of gene expression and cost analysis

Tirapanampai C.

Journal of Cleaner Production ,2023, 414 137609



Journal, Article

A Copper Disk Electrode Biosensor Assay for Urinary 4-Hydroxyphenyl Acetate Testing

Teanphonkrang S.

IEEE Sensors Journal ,2023, 2315 



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