Alisa Vangnai, Professor, Ph.D.

Alisa Vangnai, Professor, Ph.D.

B.Sc., Chulalongkorn University 
M.Sc., Chulalongkorn University 
Ph.D., Oregon State University

Office: Room 614/2, Science10 Building 
Phone: 662-218-5430
Fax:      662-218-5418
Email:  alisa.v@chula.ac.th

Research

 

BIOREMEDIATION – Our research involves biotransformation / biodegradation of environmental pollutants as well as bioremediation applications using microorganisms and their enzymes to turn them into non-toxic ones. We focus on the biodegradation of toxic halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons which is a large group of chemicals that have been extensively used in industrial production of dyes, pharmaceuticals and herbicides. Our current research projects involve: 1) the biodegradation of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons by bacteria and mesophilic bacteria, 2) the biochemical and genetic studies of enzymes and genes involved in those biodegradations, and 3) the development of bioremediation system for further applications.

INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY – At the fundamental level, the biodegradation of environmental pollutants and biotransformation of compounds to industrial useful products are inextricably linked by the biological reactions, metabolic pathways, and the biocatalysts catalyzing these reactions. Therefore, we have been working on the biotransformation of halogenated / substituted aromatic substrates to produce useful products in biotechnological processes using meso-/thermophilic bacteria. In addition, since the biotransformation of aromatic substrates is limited by their low water-solubility and toxicity, we also focus on the improvement of bacterial tolerance ability towards these hydrocarbon substrates using genetic engineering approach as well as the development of a two-liquid phase biotransformation system for biotechnological production applications.

Recent Publications

Publications

  • Kotchaplai, P.; Khan, K.; Vangnai, A.S.. Membrane alterations in Pseudomonas putida F1 exposed to nanoscale zero valent iron: Effects of short-term and repetitive nZVI exposure Environ. Sci. Technol., Just Accepted Manuscript DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00736
  • Sumana, S.R.; Vangnai, A.S.; Patichot, W.. Enhancement of Profenofos Remediation Using Stimulated Bioaugmentation Technique. Journal of Advanced Oxidation Technologies 2017, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jaots-2017-0025
  • Mahipant, G.; Paemanee, A.; Roytrakul, S.; Kato, J.; Vangnai, A.S.. The significance of proline and glutamate on butanol chaotropic stress in Bacillus subtilis 168. Biotechnology for Biofuels 2017, 10 (1), Open Access Article number 122
  • Sipahutar, M.K.; Vangnai, A.S.. Role of plant growth- promoting Ochrobactrum sp. MC22 on triclocarban degradation and toxicity mitigation to legume plants. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2017, 329, 38–48.
  • Kataoka, N.; Vangnai, A.S. ; Pongtharangkul, T.; Yakushi, T.; Matsushita, K.. Butyrate production under aerobic growth conditions by engineered Escherichia coli. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering 2017in pressAvailable online 11 January 2017
  • Sivagnanam S.; Vangnai, AS.. Plant-growth promoting Candida sp. AVGB4 with capability of 4-nitroaniline biodegradation under drought stress. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2017, 139, 472–480.
  • Saiyood, S.;  Inthorn, D.;  Vangnai, A.; Thiravetyan, P.. 1,2-dichloroethane removal by Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk and Pseudomonas putida BCC 23535. Water Science and Technology : Water Supply 2016, Available Online 15 April 2016, ws2016060; DOI: 10.2166/ws.2016.060
  • Maneesuwannarat, S.; Vangnai, A.S.; Yamashita, M.; Thiravetyan, P.. Bioleaching of gallium from gallium arsenide by Cellulosimicrobium funkei and its application to semiconductor/electronic wastes. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2016, 99, 80-87.
  • Toabaita, M.; Vangnai, A.S.; Thiravetyan, P.. Removal of Ethylbenzene from Contaminated Air by Zamioculcas Zamiifolia and Microorganisms Associated on Z. Zamiifolia Leaves. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 2016, 227 (4), Article number 2817
  • Maneesuwannarat, S.; Vangnai, A.S.; Yamashita, M.; Thiravetyan, P.. Bioleaching of gallium from gallium arsenide by Cellulosimicrobium funkei and its application to semiconductor/electronic wastes. Process Safety and Environmental Protection 2016, 99, 80-87.
  • Silambarasan, S.; Vangnai,  A.S.. Biodegradation of 4-nitroaniline by plant-growth promoting  Acinetobacter sp.  AVLB2 and toxicological analysis of its biodegradation metabolites. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2016, 302, 426-436.
  • Vinayavekhin, N.; Mahipant, G.; Vangnai, A.S.; Sangvanich, P.. Untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed changes in the composition of glycerolipids and phospholipids in Bacillus subtilis under 1-butanol stress. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2015, 99 (14), 5971-5983.
  • Kataoka, N.; Vangnai, A.S.; Pongtharangkul, T.; Tajima, T.; Yakushi, T.; Matsushita, K.; Kato, J.. 
    Construction of CoA-dependent 1-butanol synthetic pathway functions under aerobic conditions in Escherichia coli. Journal of Biotechnology 2015, 204, 25-32.
  • Muangchinda, C., Chavanich, S., Viyakarn, V., Watanabe, K., Imura, S., Vangnai, A.S., Pinyakong, O.. Abundance and diversity of functional genes involved in the degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons in Antarctic soils and sediments around Syowa Station. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2015, 22 (6), 4725-4735. (Article in press 2014)
  • Siripattanakul-Ratpukdi, S.;  Vangnai, AS.; Sangthean, P.; Singkibut, S.. Profenofos insecticide degradation by novel microbial consortium and isolates enriched from contaminated chili farm soil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2015, 22 (1), 311-319. (Article in press 2014)
  • Sompornpailin, D.; Siripattanakul-Ratpukdi, S.; Vangnai, A.S.. Diethyl phthalate degradation by the freeze-dried, entrapped Bacillus subtilis strain 3C3. International Biodeterioration Biodegradation 2014, 91, 138-147.
  • Nishikura-Imamura, S.; Matsutani, M.; Insomphun, C.; Vangnai, A.S.. Toyama, H.; Yakushi, T.; Abe, T. ; Adachi, O.; Matsushita, K.. Overexpression of a type II 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase enhances the biotransformation of quinate to 3-dehydroshikimate in Gluconobacter oxydans. APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 201498 (7), 2955-2963.
  • Siripattanakul-Ratpukdi, S.; Ploychankul, C.; Limpiyakorn, T.; Vangnai, A.S.; Rongsayamanont, C.; Khan, E.. Mitigation of nitrification inhibition by silver nanoparticles using cell entrapment technique. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 2014, 16 (2), 1-10.  Article Number: 2218
  • Nitisakulkan, T.; Oku, S.; Kudo, D.; Nakashimada, Y.; Tajima, T.; Vangnai, A.S.; Kato, J. Degradation of chloroanilines by toluene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida T57Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering 2014, 117 (3), 292-297.
  • Vangnai, A.S.; Takeuchi, K.; Oku, S.; Kataoka, N.; Nitisakulkan, T.; Tajima, T.; Kato, J.. Identification of CtpL as a chromosomally encoded chemoreceptor for 4-chloroaniline and catechol in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2013 , 79 (23), 7241-7248.
  • Kataoka, N., Vangnai, A.S., Tajima, T., Nakashimada, Y., Kato, J. Improvement of (R)-1,3-butanediol production by engineered Escherichia coliJournal of Bioscience and Bioengineering 2013, 115 (5), 475-480.
  • Saiyood, S.; Inthorn, D.; Vangnai, A.S.; Thiravetyan, P. Phytoremediation of Bisphenol A and Total Dissolved Solids by the Mangrove Plant, Bruguiera Gymnorhiza. International Journal of Phytoremediation 2013, 15(5), 427-438.
  • Vangnai A.S., Kataoka N., Soonglerdsongpha S., Kalambaheti C., Tajima T., Kato J., Construction and application of an Escherichia coli bioreporter for aniline and chloroaniline detection. JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY 2012, 39(12), 1801-1810.
  • Saiyood S., Vangnai A.S., Inthorn D., Thiravetyan P. Treatment of Total Dissolved Solids from Plastic Industrial Effluent by Halophytic Plants. WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION 2012, 223(8) : 4865-4873.
  • Siriphongphaew A.; Pisnupong P.; Wongkongkatep J.; Inprakhon P.; Vangnai A.S.Honda K.; Ohtake H.; Kato J.; Ogawa J.; Shimizu S.; Urlacher V.B.; Schmid R.D.; Pongtharangkul T. Development of a whole-cell biocatalyst co-expressing P450 monooxygenase and glucose dehydrogenase for synthesis of epoxyhexane, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2012, 95: 357–367.
  • Kongpol A.; Kato J.; Tajima T.; Vangnai AS., Characterization of Acetonitrile-Tolerant Marine Bacterium Exiguobacterium sp. SBH81 and Its Tolerance Mechanism. Microbes Environ. 2012, 27(1) : 30-35. Impact factor 2.301.
  • Wangrangsimagul, N.; Klinsakul, K. ; Vangnai, A.S.; Wongkongkatep, J.; Inprakhon, P.; Honda, K.; Ohtake, H ; Kato, J ; Pongtharangkul, T. Bioproduction of vanillin using an organic solvent-tolerant Brevibacillus agri 13. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2012, 93 (2), 555-563.
  • Navacharoen, A.; Vangnai, A. S., Biodegradation of diethyl phthalate by an organic-solvent-tolerant Bacillus subtilis strain 3C3 and effect of phthalate ester coexistence. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 2011, 65(6), 818-826.
  • Panuch Hongsawat and Alisa S. Vangnai (2011) Biodegradation pathways of chloroanilines by Acinetobacter baylyi strain GFJ2. Journal of Hazardous Materials 186 : 1300-1307. Impact factor 4.144.
  • Naoya Kataoka, Takahisa Tajima, Junichi Kato, Wanitcha Rachadech, and Alisa S Vangnai (2011) Development of butanol-tolerant Bacillus subtilis strain GRSW2-B1 as a potential bioproduction host. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Express 30; 1(1) : 10-21.
  • Areeya Navachareon and Alisa S. Vangnai (2011) Biodegradation of diethyl phthalate by an organic-solvent tolerant Bacillus subtilis strain 3C3 and effect of phthalate ester coexistence. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 65(6) : 818-826. Impact factor 2.252.
  • Hongsawat, P.; Vangnai, A. S., Biodegradation pathways of chloroanilines by Acinetobacter baylyi strain GFJ2. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2011, 186(2-3) : 1300-1307.
  • Rachadech, W.; Navacharoen, A.; Ruangsit, W.; Pongtharangkul, T.; Vangnai, A. S., An organic solvent-, detergent-, and thermostable alkaline protease from the mesophilic, organic solvent-tolerant Bacillus licheniformis 3C51. Microbiology 2010, 79(5) : 620-629.
  • Rachadech, W.; Navacharoen, A.; Ruangsit, W.; Pongtharangkul, T.; Vangnai, A. S., An organic solvent-, detergent-, and thermo-stable alkaline protease from the mesophilic, organic solvent-tolerant Bacillus licheniformis 3C5. Mikrobiologiia 2010, 79(5) : 630-638.
  • Pechwang, J.; Sihanonth, P.; Pornpakakul, S.; Muangsin, N.; Piapukiew, J.; Vangnai, A.; Chaichit, N.; Chuchawankul, S.; Petsom, A., Biotransformation of ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid by Psilocybe cubensis. Natural Product Research 2010, 24(10) : 905-914.
  • Saiyood, S.; Vangnai, A. S.; Thiravetyan, P.; Inthorn, D., Bisphenol A removal by the Dracaena plant and the role of plant-associating bacteria. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2010, 178, (1-3) : 777-785.
  • Vangnai, A. S.; Promden, W.; De-Eknamkul, W.; Matsushita, K.; Toyama, H., Molecular characterization and heterologous expression of quinate dehydrogenase gene from Gluconobacter oxydans IFo3244. Biochemistry (Moscow) 2010, 75(4) : 452-459.
  • Sawitree Saiyood, Alisa S. Vangnai, Paitip Thiravetyan, Duangrat Inthorn. (2010) Bisphenol A removal by Dracaena plant and role of the plant-associating bacteria. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 178 : 777-785. Impact factor 4.144.
  • Kongpol, A.; Pongtharangkul, T.; Kato, J.; Honda, K.; Ohtake, H.; Vangnai, A. S., Characterization of an organic-solvent-tolerant brevibacillus agri strain 13 able to stabilize solvent/water emulsion. FEMS Microbiology Letters 2009, 297(2), 225-233.