Anaerobic Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology - AMBIO

🌏 Special Symposium: Advances in Biotechnology and Environmental Engineering for Sustainable Societies 🌱

On 12 January 2026, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Nagaoka University of Technology, and BIOTEC proudly host an international hybrid symposium bringing together leading researchers from Thailand, Japan, and South Korea to share perspectives on biotechnology and environmental engineering for sustainable societies.

The symposium opens with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Morakot Tanticharoen (KMUTT, Thailand), followed by invited talks from Prof. Dr. Masao Fukuda (Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan), Dr. Benjaphon Suraraksa (BIOTEC, Thailand), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mamoru Oshiki (Hokkaido University, Japan), and Prof. Dr. Tawan Limpiyakorn (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand).

After the tea break, the afternoon session continues with presentations by Prof. Dr. Chansong Lee (UNIST, South Korea), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Masashi Hatamoto (Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Akira Hafuka (Hokkaido University, Japan), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Songkeart Phattarapattawamong (KMUTT, Thailand).

The symposium concludes with a closing remark by Prof. Dr. Takashi Yamaguchi (Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan), highlighting the importance of international collaboration and scientific innovation in addressing global environmental challenges. Also, the token appreciation ceremony for International and Thailand Professors is led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Bunyaphat Suphanit (Director of Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute, PDTI, KMUTT).

🤝 This symposium serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and inspiration toward building sustainable societies through science and engineering.

📍 Venue: Learning Exchange (LX) Building, KMUTT Bangmod Campus, Bangkok
🕐 Time: 13:00–17:00 | Hybrid Seminar
📸 Photo by Mr. Supoth Meechart (KMUTT)

📢 OPEN FOR REGISTRATION | FREE HYBRID SEMINAR
Special Symposium (KMUTT–Nagaoka University of Technology–BIOTEC)

We are pleased to invite researchers, students, and industry professionals to join our hybrid seminar focusing on cutting-edge biotechnology and environmental engineering, with special emphasis on:

🔬 Key Topics
• Anaerobic Digestion (AD) for wastewater and resource recovery
• Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer (DIET) in AD systems
• Microbial interactions and process optimization for sustainable societies

🤝 Organized by
• King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)
• Nagaoka University of Technology
• National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)

📅 Date: 12 January 2026
⏰ Time: 13:00 – 17:00 (GMT+7)
📍 On-site: Learning Exchange (LX) Building, 14th Floor, KMUTT Bangmod Campus, Bangkok
💻 Online: Zoom (link will be sent after registration)

This seminar provides a valuable platform for knowledge exchange between academia, industry, and international collaborators, particularly in the fields of anaerobic biotechnology, microbial electron transfer, and sustainable wastewater treatment.

👉 Register now:
https://l.muz.kr/BS6

📌 Limited seats for on-site participation.

Please feel free to share this post with colleagues and students who may be interested.

✨ Seminar: Diagnosis of Microbial Health for Effective Monitoring and Control in Wastewater Treatment Systems and Biogas Plants
🗓️ 3 December 2025 | KMUTT

We were honored to have Dr. Kanyawim Kirtikara, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation, KMUTT, deliver the opening remarks for this important seminar.

The morning session featured insightful presentations and knowledge-sharing from experts:
• Prof. Per H. Nielsen – Center for Microbial Communities (CMC), Aalborg University, Denmark
• Dr. Rohan Williams – SCELSE, Singapore
• Prof. Stephano Campanaro – University of Padova, Italy
• Dr. Benjaphon Suraraksa – BIOTEC, NSTDA, Thailand
• Asst. Prof. Kanthida Kusonmano – SBT, KMUTT, Thailand
• Mr. Phannarong Jintachotsiri – Thai Citric Acid Ltd., Thailand

The afternoon session brought together researchers and private-sector representatives to discuss real-world challenges in wastewater treatment across various industries—focusing on problem-solving, practical diagnostics, and pathways toward sustainable and efficient system performance.

The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Prof. Morakot Tanticharoen, Senior Advisor to the President, KMUTT.

A big thank you to all speakers, researchers, industrial partners, and participants for making this knowledge-driven event a success.

🌟Special Talk at KMUTT Bangkhuntian Campus 🌟

Today, we were honored to host Prof. Per H. Nielsen from Aalborg University, Denmark, who delivered an inspiring talk on “Engineering Microbiome Structure and Function in Global Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Systems.”

The session was officially opened by Dr. Annop Nopharattana, representing KMUTT.

We were delighted to have distinguished attendees including:
✨ Prof. Morakot Tanticharoen – Senior Advisor to the President, KMUTT
✨ Asst. Prof. Dr. Bunyaphat Suphanit – Director of PDTI
✨ Dr. Benjaphon Suraraksa – Director of the EcoWaste Research Group
Along with our dedicated lecturers, researchers, and students.

After the talk, the program continued with an EcoWaste laboratory visit, research discussions, and a tour around the Bangkhuntian campus, including the algae pilot-scale research facilities.

A big thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to the great atmosphere and meaningful scientific exchange.

✨ ขอเชิญเข้าร่วมงานสัมมนา (Seminar) ✨
“Diagnosis of microbial health for effective monitoring and control in wastewater treatment system and biogas plants”

📆 วันที่: 3 ธันวาคม 2025
⏰ เวลา: 08.30–15.00 น.
🏙️ สถานที่: ห้องประชุมพินิจวิทัศน์ (V Space) ชั้น 14 อาคาร LX
มหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีพระจอมเกล้าธนบุรี (วิทยาเขตบางมด กรุงเทพฯ)

🖥️ พิเศษ! ช่วงบรรยายภาคเช้า (08.30–12.00 น.) มีรูปแบบออนไลน์
ไม่ว่าคุณจะอยู่ที่ไหนก็สามารถเข้าร่วมได้

📌 ลงทะเบียนได้ตามโปสเตอร์ประชาสัมพันธ์
อย่าพลาดโอกาสดี ๆ ในการอัปเดตองค์ความรู้ด้านจุลินทรีย์และระบบบำบัดน้ำเสีย

แล้วพบกันในงานค่ะ/ครับ! 🎉

📢 New Research Paper Published! 🎉

Our research group has demonstrated and published an exciting study on improving the stability and performance of an anaerobic hybrid reactor (AHR) treating challenging citric acid wastewater! 🍋🌿

We demonstrated that we successfully enriched the syntrophic microbial community—the key microbial groups in anaerobic digestion—and significantly enhanced their activity. However, at higher organic loading rates (OLR), the reactor faced stress and instability. To rapidly recover reactor performance, we successfully employed bioaugmentation with syntrophic methanogenic consortia (SMC), restoring high efficiency and stability of reactor in short period.

✅ Research Highlights:
• 90% COD removal at OLR 7.6 kg COD/m³/d
• Methane yield: 0.25 Nm³ CH₄/kg COD removed
• Increased activity of methanogens (up to 108%)
• Rapid recovery from overload conditions

This study emphasizes the importance of syntrophic microbial communities for robust and stable anaerobic digestion processes. 📖🌱

🚀 Exciting News! Our Latest Paper is Published in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (IF 7.4, Q1)!

We successfully established syntrophic methanogenic consortia (SMC) from various full-scale biogas plants using sodium propionate as the sole substrate. Our findings revealed impressive methane production (65–80% CH₄) with distinct microbial communities.

🔍 Key Highlights:
✅ Efficient propionate utilization without inhibition
✅ Thermovirga spp. dominated SMCs from seafood factory sludge
✅ Smithella spp. dominated SMCs from other sources
✅ Hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens (Methanomicrobiales & Methanosaeta spp.) played key roles in methane generation

💡 This study offers insights into tailoring microbial consortia for enhanced methane production from propionate-rich waste, paving the way for more sustainable biogas technologies. 🌏⚡

🔗 Read the full paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213343725005585?via%3Dihub

🌟✨ Celebrating a Year – AMBIO 2024 Highlights! ✨🌟

This year has been truly remarkable for AMBIO group, filled with many achievements and impactful activities. Here are some of our moments:

🏆 Research & Innovation Excellence
In May 2024, we showcased our biofilm formation technology at INTARG 2024 in Katowice, Poland, earning several awards including Diamond and Gold Awards at the prestigious 17th International Invention and Innovation Show! This success was further recognized in September 2024 with awards from the Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation of Thailand and the Director of the National Research Council of Thailand.

🧪 International Workshops
1️⃣ In June 2024, we (KMUTT and NSTDA) organized the Application of Molecular Techniques and Bioinformatics Approaches for Wastewater Treatment Workshop. Esteemed speakers and researchers from Thailand and abroad, including Prof. Dr. Akihiko Terada (TUAT, Japan), Prof. Ir. Dr. Adeline Chua Seak May (University Malaya, Malaysia), Dr. Benjaphon Suraraksa and Dr. Peerada Prommenate from BIOTEC, NSTDA. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Songkeart Phattarapatmawong, Asst. Dr. Kantida Kusonmano and Dr. Nasrul Hudayah from KMUTT, and others, joined us to share their expertise.
2️⃣ In August 2024, we also hosted the Hands-on Workshop on Cultivation, Characterization, and Preservation of Anaerobic Microorganisms, featuring experts Dr. Takashi Itoh and Dr. Shingo Kato from RIKEN BRC, Japan.

Our team also embarked on international internships and potential collaborations with leading research centers such as RIKEN BRC (Japan) and SCELSE (Singapore).

🙏 Gratitude
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our advisors, supervisors, colleagues, and all collaborators for their unwavering support. Your contributions have made 2024 an unforgettable year of progress and innovation.

💫 Looking Ahead to 2025
As we close this chapter, we are filled with hope and excitement for what lies ahead in 2025. We aim to continue pushing boundaries in research and innovation, fostering impactful collaborations, and making meaningful contributions to science and society. Together, we believe that even greater achievements are within our reach.

Here’s to achieving even more milestones and making 2025 another year to remember! 🚀💡

On Thursday, 19 December 2024,
We had the honor of hosting Dr. Rohan Williams from SCELSE, Singapore – an expert in computational biology, microbiome bioinformatics, and multi-omics analysis of complex microbial communities.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Morakot Tanticharoen, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supapon Cheevadhanarak, Dr. Benjaphon Suraraksa, Dr. Peerada Prommeenate, Dr. Nasrul Hudayah, and Dr. Wantanasak. During the session, Mr. Saeree Engsatittanawan (PhD candidate) presented his research on the microbial correlation network response during the start-up of anaerobic reactors, with and without augmentation of syntrophic microorganisms.

We also explored for more collaborative research and potential hands-on workshops focusing on metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis of anaerobic microorganisms in engineered systems. This collaboration aims to deepen our understanding of microbial interactions and enhance the efficiency of anaerobic reactors.

Looking forward to advancing research together! 🤝✨

🌏✨ Highlights from SEAWE-14: Shaping the Future of Water Environment Research! ✨🌊

From 3-5 December 2024, our team at AMBIO (Anaerobic Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology), ECOWASTE, participated in the 14th International Symposium on Southeast Asian Water Environment (SEAWE-14) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

🌟 This prestigious event was co-organized by The University of Tokyo, Japan, and Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, with leadership from Prof. Futoshi Kurisu (The University of Tokyo) and Prof. Adeline Seak Chua May (Universiti Malaya).

📢 Our Contributions:
🌱 Dr. Benjaphon Suraraksa served as the chair for the panel on “Anaerobic Treatment and Microbial Dynamics”, facilitating critical discussions on microbial applications in wastewater treatment.
🔬 Dr. Nasrul Hudayah captivated the audience with his research on “Enhancing Microbial Detection in Engineered Anaerobic Systems Using Improved HCR-FISH”, showcasing enhanced methodologies in microbial visualization and monitoring.
🌊 Dr. Wantanasak presented groundbreaking work on “Developing High Salinity Resistant Biofilm for Pilot-Scale Anaerobic Hybrid Reactors (AHR)”, for innovative solutions in saline wastewater treatment.

👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 SEAWE-14 brought together researchers from across the globe, including Japan, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, India, Taiwan, Nepal, the Philippines, Belgium, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and many more. 🌍 This gathering fostered rich discussions, collaborations, and shared visions for sustainable water environment solutions.

A heartfelt thank you to the organizers for curating this invaluable platform for researchers to connect, collaborate, and innovate. 🙌 Let’s continue working together to advance the science and technology behind water and wastewater systems for a more sustainable future! 🌿💧