Kasetsart University held the first International Natural Products Symposium (KINS 2010) in Thailand.

Kasetsart University held the first International Natural Products Symposium (KINS 2010) in Thailand.

The 1^st Kamphangsaen International Natural Products Symposium (KINS 2010) with the theme “The Relationship between Living Organisms and the Environment” was held on Oct. 23-24 in Swissotel LeConcorde Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.  The overall objectives of the conference were to motivate graduate students and young scientists in Natural Products Science and related fields; to engage in the international collaborative research; to stimulate young scientists to meet with the authorities in the fields; to allow the passing-on of research experiences from generation to generation and to promote Natural Products Science research activities in Thailand. It was hosted by the Research Promotion and Technology Transfer Center of Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Kasersart University-Kamphangsaen Campus, the Japan Korea Thailand China Agricultural Science Research Group (JKTC Group), Academic Service Center, Kasetsart University at Krabi Province, Thailand and the Weed Science Society of Thailand.

 The symposium was attended by approximately 150 participants from various universities, research institutions and industries from 15 different countries. The opening ceremony was highlighted by the introductory remarks from the symposium chairman, Assoc. Prof, Dr. Weerachai Phutdhawong; a welcome remark from Assoc. Prof. Vudtechai Kapilakanchana, the President of Kasetsart University; and an opening remark from Assoc. Prof. Piniti Rattananukul, the Deputy Secretary of the Higher Education Commission in Thailand. It was then followed by interesting and informative lectures from reputable keynote speakers: Prof Dr. Pichaet Wiriyachitra of Asian Phytoceuticals Public Company addressed the potential of natural products from mangosteen in balancing the immune system as well as in trimming figures. Prof. Stephen G. Pyne of University of Wollongong in Australia discussed the medicinal and agricultural applications of stemona alkaloids. Dr. Kimberly Colson of Bruker Company reviewed the current strategies of natural products isolation using NMR spectroscopy. Prof. Dr. T. Randall Lee of the University of Houston talked about the photo-induced delivery of natural products using gold nanoparticles. Lastly, Dr. David Harding, of Wailalak University highlighted the functions of redox coupled spin crossover in biological enzymes.

 

Symposium chairman, Assoc. Prof, Dr. Weerachai Phutdhawong (No. 3 from left); Assoc. Prof. Vudtechai Kapilakanchana, the President of Kasetsart University (No. 6 from left); Assoc. Prof. Piniti Rattananukul, the Deputy Secretary of the Higher Education Commission in Thailand (No. 5 from left); Prof Dr. Pichaet Wiriyachitra (No. 4 from left); Prof. Stephen G. Pyne (No. 9 from left); Dr. Kimberly Colson (No. 2 from left); Prof. Dr. T. Randall Lee (on the right hand); Dr. David Harding (No. 2 from right).

The conference consisted of three parallel sessions: 1) Natural Products Chemistry; 2) Utilization of Natural Products and 3) The JKTC research group presentation. There was also a poster session during the first day. Certificates of recognition were also awarded to the best oral and poster presenter, as well as to the most popular poster chosen by the viewers. All presenters also received certificates of participation.

The major sponsors of this two-day conference were Kasetsart University, Asian Phytoceuticals Public Company Ltd., and Bruker Co.