Workshop on Mycotoxigenic Fungi & Food/
Feed-Borne Hazards — From Isolation to Microbiome & Genomics
21 November 2025, SD-601, Building No. 12,
Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani, Thailand
Organized by:
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC),
National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA),
Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), Thailand
In collaboration with:
• Mahidol University
• Thammasat University
Rationale:
Mycotoxigenic fungi (e.g., Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium) pose persistent risks across food and feed value chains, undermining public health, trade, and farmer livelihoods. Rapid, reliable detection and identification—from culture-based isolation to DNA barcoding, long-read microbiome profiling, and genome-enabled mycotoxin biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) analysis—are now essential capabilities for laboratories in Thailand and the ASEAN region. This workshop convenes experts from BIOTEC-NSTDA and partner universities to 1) harmonize practical, field-to-lab workflows; 2) strengthen technical capacity for polyphasic fungal identification; and 3) connect classical mycology with amplicon/metagenome pipelines and genomics tools for risk assessment and mitigation. By integrating morphology, molecular methods, microbiome approaches, and genomics, participants will gain end-to-end competencies applicable to surveillance, quality control, and research programs supporting safer food/feed systems.
Objectives:
1) Field-to-lab foundations: Build core skills in field sampling, sterile isolation, and diagnostic morphology for common mycotoxigenic genera, including the recognition of look-alikes and common pitfalls.
2) DNA-based identification proficiency: Execute and interpret barcoding workflows (ITS, TEF1; plus benA/CaM where relevant), choose appropriate sequencing platforms (Sanger vs. NGS), use BLAST confidently, and apply basic phylogenetic reasoning.
3) Microbiome & genomics toolkit: Introduce streamlined amplicon/metabarcoding workflows (e.g., ONT library prep and analysis) and provide a practical overview of whole-genome strategies (assembly/annotation; antiSMASH/FUNannotate/MycoCosm) to assess mycotoxin BGCs.
4) Operational decision-making & collaboration: Compare cost–speed–accuracy trade-offs across methods (culture, MALDI-TOF MS, barcoding, amplicon, WGS), develop simple decision trees for routine lab use, and foster post-event collaboration (shared protocols, datasets, ring trials).
Language: The workshop will be conducted in English without translation.
Target group: Lecturers and researchers in the fields of Microbiology, Food Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology and related areas.
Participants number: 60 people
Draft program:
| Opening & Framing the Day | |
| 09.00 – 09.30 |
Welcome Remarks
Dr. Nitsara Karoonuthaisiri
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Why Mycotoxigenic Fungi Matter in Food/Feed Safety? (regulatory + public-health context)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Awanwee Petchkongkaew
Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University
|
| Session 1: Isolation (Polyphasic) & Morphology | |
| 09:30 – 10:45 |
A Practical Guide from Sampling to Morphological Identification of Mycotoxigenic Fungi
Dr. Sayanh Somrithipol
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
|
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Coffee break |
| Session 2: Molecular & Alternative Identification | |
| 11:00 – 12:00 |
Integrating Sequencing and Phylogenetic Analysis in Fungal Taxonomy
Mr. Sarunyou Wongkanoun
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology – MALDI-TOF MS for rapid ID (library limitations, spectra QC)
– Cost, speed, reliability comparison; decision tree for choosing methods
Dr. Piyanun Harnpicharnchai
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
|
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch |
| Session 3: Microbiome/Metagenome | |
| 13:00 – 14:00 |
Amplicon sequencing (ITS/16S) for food/feed matrices using Oxford Nanopore Technologies: streamline workflow, library preparation, sequencing, data analysis using EPI2ME, and case studies of contaminated/processed samples
Dr. Worarat Kruasuwan
Siriraj Long-read Lab (Si-LoL), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
|
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Coffee break |
| Session 4: Lab visit (tentative) | |
| – Plant Microbe Interaction Research Team – Advanced Diagnostics and Biomarker Discovery Research Team/IJC-FOODSEC – Thailand Bioresoucre Research Center – National Omics Center |
|
| Download Brochure: |  |
>> URL: https://event.nstda.or.th/event-nstda/#/register/add-register/85
>> QR Code:
ASEANSafe2025 Secretariat
Biotechnology Capacity Development Support Section, Research Support Division
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)
Phone: (66) 2564 6700 ext. 3379 – 3381
E-mail: aseansafe2025@biotec.or.th