Chulalongkorn University Signs MOU with Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, to Develop Research on Sericulture for Medical Use

Chulalongkorn University and the Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, signed an MOU to support, foster, and develop the rearing process of silkworms and the production of organic silk cocoons in model silkworm nurseries to meet the standards of medical equipment and other related industries.  

The press conference for the signing of this MOU took place on July 20, 2023, at Room 202, Chamchuri 4 Building, presided over by Prof. Dr. Bundhit Eua-arporn, President of Chulalongkorn University, and Mr. Prakorb Phaopong, Director-General of Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture. Also present were Prof. Dr. Tawatchai Charinpanitkul, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juthamas Ratanavaraporn, Director of the Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, Ms. Nucharee Watcharawongpaiboon, Director of the Office of Sericulture Research and Development, and Acting Sub.Lt. Theeranan Picharnchote, Director of the Office of Sericulture Development and Technology Transfer.  

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juthamas Ratanavaraporn, Director of the Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, explained that the cooperation between Chulalongkorn University and The Queen Sirikit Department of Sericulture has been in existence for more than 17 years. This MOU will result in continuous collaboration, allowing the body of knowledge that QSDS has continuously supplied to Chulalongkorn University to be further developed for commercial use. Future development plans are under way, whether to develop the rearing process of silkworms to get cocoons that are suitable for medical use with the help of Chulalongkorn’s knowledge and QSDS’s expertise in registering for various standards and to achieve a project to enhance the sustainability of sericulture by developing a feed formula for silkworms. 

Regarding the readiness of Chulalongkorn University in this collaboration, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juthamas said Chulalongkorn has been able to successfully transform research into income for the university through a spin-off company under CU Innovation Hub and Engine Life under CU Engineering Enterprise in the Faculty of Engineering. This allows for more flexible and swift research. In terms of research on Thai silk, Chulalongkorn University has studied silk proteins that can be effectively and safely used in the treatment of various diseases. This cooperation between Chulalongkorn University and QSDS will expand on the research on silk proteins, focusing on medical benefits. 

“Enhancing Thai silk by adapting products from sericulture farmers into medical equipment will increase the value of Thai silk, which is a national heritage, as well as help reduce the need to import medical products from abroad,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juthamas.  

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