2024 marks the third year that MGI has supported the Genomics Thailand Initiative (GTI). Launched in 2022, the project aims to increase Thailand’s competitiveness in genomic medicine research and improve the standard of medical management for its citizens. As part of this initiative, MGI is responsible for the genome sequencing of 50,000 Thai individuals.
In this interview, we invited Wichai Prugpadee and Panat Damkengprasertkul, MGI’s field service engineers in Thailand, to share their insights into this significant project. From a technical perspective, they discuss the project’s latest outcomes and the overall development of the genomics and sequencing industry in Thailand.
Q1: Would you please briefly introduce yourself and your work in supporting the Genomics Thailand Initiative (“GTI”)?
Wichai: Before joining MGI, I worked as a field service engineer (FSE) for medical machinery and as an electrical engineer for power systems. I have now been working as an FSE for MGI for four years. I was previously part of the APAC team and was later assigned to the SEA team. It is a pleasure to help the GTI project achieve its goals. My role is to keep the instruments running smoothly, deliver optimal results for our customers, and provide expert consultation when they are looking to expand their operations.
Panat: Hi everyone. I’m Panat Damkengprasertkul, an MGI Field Service Engineer based in Thailand. Part of my work involves supporting the genome sequencing lab and maintaining our MGI products. While we occasionally encounter technical challenges and obstacles, we always solve them through close collaboration with our customers and our internal teams. I am incredibly proud to support the Genomics Thailand Initiative. This healthcare research project builds strong collaboration with the Thai government to improve the quality of life for Thai citizens.
Q2: How do you see MGI’s role in ensuring the success of GTI?
Wichai: I see MGI as the primary driving force behind this project. We are a leader in advanced biotechnology, backed by a highly knowledgeable team that is fully equipped to help this project achieve its objectives.
Q3: What’s the latest development or outcome of GTI?
Panat: Thai researchers can now utilize the database from the Genomics Thailand project for the prevention and diagnosis of cancer, rare diseases, non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, and applications in pharmacogenomics.
Q4: When did you join GTI? What is your most memorable moment as a field service engineer supporting the project?
Wichai: I have been involved with the GTI project since the initial site preparation for the MGI DNBSEQ-T7, working with the project from its very first run. My most memorable moment was having the opportunity to help the customer unbox and plan the installation of the DNBSEQ-T7. To transport the T7 into the lab, we actually had to disassemble parts of the machine—such as the side covers and front door—so it would fit into the elevator. It was a highly challenging task, but also a lot of fun.
Panat: I joined GTI in August 2022. My most rewarding moments come from helping the project run smoothly. To date, we have successfully completed more than 670 Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) runs, successfully achieving our setup goals.
Q5: Have you encountered any challenges or obstacles during the GTI? If so, how did you overcome them?
Wichai: For an FSE, the biggest challenge is the continuous drive to improve. Every upgrade we perform to achieve better results comes from a collective team effort, including support from our China team, the SEA regional team, and our local team. Our customers also place a high level of trust in us to meet every promised schedule.
For example, when we upgraded the laser system to improve Q30 scores and total reads, the main challenge was that we couldn’t verify if the laser alignment was perfect until the machine was fully reassembled and tested. Meanwhile, the customer was waiting to resume their non-stop sequencing schedule. In this instance, colleagues from China flew in to assist us, and we received remote support from our SEA team. This cross-border collaboration enabled us to finish the upgrade on time, and the customer was highly pleased with the results.
Panat: Following the latest version upgrade, the customer truly appreciated the enhanced performance of the sequencer. The maximum total reads increased from 5,900 to 6,900, and the overall sequencing time was reduced by 14 hours. The DNBSEQ-T7 is now a significantly higher-performing sequencer.
Q6: From your perspective, how do you see the development of genomics in Thailand?
Wichai: The Thai public is becoming much more knowledgeable and aware of how genetics affects health and longevity. This awareness is being driven by both the public and private sectors. The government now offers free genetic testing to the public for markers like BRCA1/2. Breast cancer patients and their families are being educated through academic events and various media channels, including TV shows and websites. Concurrently, the private sector is offering genetic testing related to rheumatism, cancer risks, drug allergies, and general genetic health predispositions.
Panat: The government sector is also encouraging Thai citizens to access pharmacogenomic screening to prevent severe adverse drug reactions. They have rolled out four specific tests across more than 40,000 samples, targeting:
The HLA-B*58:01 gene for Allopurinol
The HLA-B*15:02 gene for Carbamazepine
The HLA-B*57:01 gene for Abacavir
The NAT2 gene for Isoniazid metabolism
This initiative is being actively promoted via healthcare television programs, websites, and various online platforms.
Q7: How is genomics contributing to personalized medicine and precision healthcare in Thailand?
Wichai: The Genomics Thailand project provides the vital support and education needed to build a strong foundation of genomics expertise among Thai doctors, professors, academics, and laboratory practitioners. GTI is successfully educating both medical personnel and the general public on the critical importance and benefits of personalized medicine.
Panat: The Genomics Thailand Project receives substantial support and implementation backing from the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to advance the nation’s genomics capabilities. Doctors, professors, and laboratory researchers can readily access this data to develop personalized medicine tailored specifically to the Thai population. This molecular-level genomic data serves as a powerful tool for advanced diagnostics.
Q8: How has sequencing technology evolved in Thailand, and what are the key advancements that have been made in recent years?
Wichai & Panat: Sequencing technology in Thailand has evolved over many years, beginning with first-generation sequencing in research fields like human genetics and agriculture. The initial adoption of second-generation sequencing (Next-Generation Sequencing, or NGS) was mostly restricted to academic research and did not transition into clinical or commercial services for a long time. However, sequencing technology gained massive traction during the COVID-19 pandemic and through the launch of the Genomics Thailand project. Since its inception in April 2022, the project has successfully sequenced over 29,000 human genomes as of March 2024.
Q9: What are the major challenges or limitations faced by researchers in Thailand when using sequencing technology, and what strategies are being implemented to overcome them?
Panat: In my opinion, the major challenge for Thai researchers has been the lack of a comprehensive local genomic database to reference for their studies. However, we can use the Genomics Thailand Initiative as a blueprint to support future genomic projects. Moving forward, these initiatives will be better positioned to secure vital funding from both government and private sectors.
Q10: What’s your outlook on the development of the sequencing industry in Thailand?
Wichai: We are growing rapidly. In the near future, we will see sequencing technology integrated into daily life and healthcare in many practical ways.
Panat: While we now have an established human genomics database, we still lack comprehensive genomic data for livestock and agriculture. Therefore, I look forward to expanding the experience we gained from GTI into animal and agricultural projects in the future, fully supported by MGI’s cutting-edge sequencing technology.
