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Professor Dr. M.R. Jisnuson Svasti was born in Bangkok on 25 September
1947, the son of H.R.H. Princess Chandra
and H.S.H. Prince Arjuna Svasti. He
studied in England since the age of
six, attending Cheam School. Rugby
School and Trinity College, Cambridge.
He obtained his B.A. (Hons) degree
and his M.A. degree in Biochemistry
from Cambridge University in 1968
and 1972, and his Ph.D. in Molecular
Biology from Cambridge University
in 1972 under the supervision of the
Nobel laureate, Dr. Cesar Milstein.
He became a staff member at the
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty
of Science, Mahidol University in
1972, and has been there since, except
for 1 year as a Senior Researcher
at the University of Texas Medical
Branch, Galveston, U.S.A. He was Chairman
of the Biochemistry Department (1980-1984).
Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science
(1996-1997), and Vice-President for
International Relations of Mahidol
University (1997-1999). He also has
had a joint appointment as Head of
the Laboratory of Biochemistry at
the Chulabhorn Research Institute
since 1990.
Professor Svasti has had research
interests in the structure and function
of proteins and enzymes for 30 year.
He has studied various systems, beginning
with plasma proteins, such as immunoglobulins
(1968-1975) and plasma vitamin D binding
protein (1976-1980). Later, he became
interested in proteins specific for
the male reproductive system, since
they are possible targets for control
of male fertility, various proteins
were studies (1974 to 1986), including
sperm protamines, testis-specific
histones, testis lactate dehydrogenase
isozyme-X, seminal plasma acidic proteinase,
and proteins affected by the anti-fertility
agent gossypol. He current interests
fall into two main areas. The first
area covers protein changes that occur
in human disease, including abnormal
hemoglobins, inborn errors of metabolism,
and changes in proteins during cancer.The
second area covers the structure and
function of plant glycosidase enzymes
and their substrates, as well as their
use for glycoside synthesis. He also
has interests in biochemical education
in particular on devising student
laboratories, analysis of curricula,
and surveys of the status of biochemistry
teaching in Thailand. He has been
awarded prizes for research from Mahidol
University (1982) and the Ministry
of University Affairs (1997). He has
published 73 research articles in
international journals 10 articles
on biochemical education in international
journals, 18 other academic articles
and 3 texbooks on biochemistry.
Professor Svasti has been involved
with various local scientific agencies,
including serving as Chairman (1980-1982)
and Advisory Board Member (1982-present)
of the Biochemical Section of the
Science Society of Thailand. Editor
of the Journal of the Science Society
of Thailand (1985-1987) and Editor
of ScienceAsia (2001-present). Committee
Member. Biology and Agriculture Section.
National Research Council of Thailand
(1991-1998), and Menber of the Thailand
Academy Science and Technology (since
1997). He has also served with several
international organisations, namely
as Coordinating Committee (1979-1981)
of the Asian Network of Biological
Science (ANBS). Treasurer (1980-1986)
and President (1990-1992) of the Federation
of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists
(FAOB). Symposium Committee (1996-present)
of the International Union of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). Governing
Council (1998-present) of the Asia-Pacific
International Molecular Biology Network
(AIMBN), and Membership Committee
for Biochemistry and Biophysics (2001-present)
of the Third World Academy of Science
(TWAS). He has been invited to be
an Honorary Member of the Federation
of Asian Biochemists and Molecular
Biologists, and of the Philippine
Society for Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology.
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