National Phenome Centre Bridges Academia and Industry to Drive Commercial Innovation

11 June 2026
15:15

A special seminar addresses research barriers to support commercial application, industry–academic collaboration, and research solutions for business.

The National Phenome Centre of Khon Kaen University hosted a special seminar entitled “Bridging Academia and Industry: Unlocking Barriers, Connecting Research to Commercial Applications”. he event provided a platform for researchers and industry partners to exchange knowledge, develop research into practical use, establish collaborative networks, and identify opportunities for developing research proposals that address business and social demands.

On 10 June 2026, the Business Collaboration and Research Development Division of the National Phenome Centre, Khon Kaen University (KKU), organised the seminar at The Heritage Grand Khon Kaen Hotel and Convention Centre in Khon Kaen Province, held in conjunction with the 3rd Thailand Bioinformatics Research Network Conference 2026 (TBRN 2026).

Assoc. Prof.Chiranut Sa-Ngiamsak, Ph.D., Assistant to the President for Research and Innovation, presided over the opening ceremony. In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of translating research and innovation into national development, particularly through knowledge applied to the industrial, healthcare, and social sectors. She noted that this requires integrated cooperation between universities and industry, to support a sustainable research and innovation environment.

Asst. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Ph.D., Director of the National Phenome Centre, stated that developing research and innovation to meet the needs of industry and the healthcare sector requires strategic collaboration among academic institutions, research bodies, and the private sector. Such cooperation ensures that research questions are aligned with user needs, allowing for tangible socioeconomic benefits.

The Director also noted that the seminar offered a forum in which experts from academia and industry could exchange knowledge, perspectives, and experience, building mutual understanding on research directions, developing competitive research proposals aligned with industrial needs, and strengthening networks for future research collaboration.

The event featured a special keynote lecture on “From Lab to Market: Transforming Research into Business and Industrial Opportunities” by Dr. Thidathip Wongsurawat from the Medical Bioinformatics Unit, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and co-founder of BiKraft Co., Ltd., who shared her experience in transforming laboratory research into commercial value. A panel discussion, ‘From Industrial Needs to Joint Research Proposals: Fostering Collaboration to Elevate Research for Practical Use’, followed, featuring industrial experts including Dr Jakkapop Jitpimonmard from Omics Tech Co., Ltd., Dr Jarika Makkoch from Genfosis Co., Ltd., and Dr Siwarutt Boonyarattanakalin from SMS Corporation Co., Ltd. The panellists discussed research priorities in industry, gaps between academic and business sectors, guidelines for developing fundable proposals, intellectual property management, and collaborative opportunities in technologies such as AI, Omics, and Precision Medicine.

The seminar attracted broad participation from researchers, faculty members, students, and representatives from the private sector, both within and beyond Khon Kaen University. Participants responded positively, noting that the discussions opened new perspectives on aligning research with user needs and provided a clearer understanding of collaborative mechanisms between researchers and businesses — particularly in co-defining research questions, developing viable grant proposals, and commercialising outputs. This knowledge can be applied to plan future research projects that generate tangible impacts on the country’s economy, society, and healthcare systems.

The organisation of the “Bridging Academia and Industry” seminar marks a further step for the National Phenome Centre of Khon Kaen University in strengthening a research and innovation environment that links education, industry, and end-users, accelerating the translation of laboratory knowledge and technology into economic and social value and supporting national competitiveness through innovation-driven growth.