Department of Clinical Microscopy was originated from a field of Clinical Microscopy in Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. Tracing the story back, the Medical Technology Diploma Program at Chulalongkorn Hospital originally was founded in 1957 where laboratory classes were provided for medical and medical technologic students, and it was later developed and promoted to a four-year Bachelor Program at the Department of Medical Technology within the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University in 1971. In response to the rapidly growing demand of paramedical science professionals, the Department of Medical Technology then had independently separated from the Faculty of Medicine on the 16th November 1991, and established as the 17th Faculty of Chulalongkorn University under the name of “Faculty of Allied Health Sciences”. The field of Clinical Microscopy has become The Department of Clinical Microscopy in the Faculty, aims to produce qualified graduates in Medical Laboratory Technology that plays important roles in supporting and fulfilling the specific needs of the medical teamwork until present.
List of head of the department
- Professor Pornthep Tiensiwakul, Ph.D. (1993-1997)
- Assistant Professor Sanong Sirimongkolsakul (1997-2005)
- Associate Professor Supan Soogarun (2005-2010)
- Assistant Professor Supantitra Chanprasert, Ph.D. (2010-2014)
- Assistant Professor Yaneenart Suwanwong, Ph.D. (2014-2018)
- Associate Professor Attakorn Palasuwan, Ph.D. (2018-present)
Our teaching courses
The Department of Clinical Microscopy, is currently responsible for organizing teaching courses for undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate degree program in the Bachelor of Sciences (Medical Technology) was organized in collaboration with the Department of Clinical Chemistry and the Department of Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Microbiology in the Faculty. Our department is responsible for teaching in 2 main medical technologic subjects;
Clinical Hematology
- Clinical Hematology I
- Clinical Hematology II
- Clinical Hematology III
Clinical Microscopy
- Analytical Body Fluid
- Clinical Parasitology
In addition, our department has implemented graduate degree program, Master and Ph.D. in the field of Clinical Hematology Sciences, the first doctorate degree program in hematology for medical technologist in Thailand. Currently our dual Ph.D. degree program, between our department and the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and Lund University, Sweden, has initiated for providing the new paradigm of higher education since 2021.
Our research
The research in our department focuses in the fields of diagnostic testing in Clinical Hematology, Clinical Parasitology, and body fluid analysis. The studies include epidemiological, experimental, and applied studies. The major aspects are including in-depth studies to find the mechanism of diseases, gene expression. The stem cells are also used as a model for disease treatment. In summary, the research focuses are shown as following below:
- Innovations in Lab Hematology Diagnosis
- G6PD: molecular mechanism and diagnosis
- Proteomic analysis of thalassemia and leukemia
- Stem cell & signaling pathways
- Effects of herbs on leukemic cell line activities
- Gene cloning & chimeric protein engineering
- Gene editing for hematologic diseases
- Flow cytometry: Techniques & applications
- Pathophysiology & bioinformatics of Malaria
Academic services for society
Our department focuses on providing academic services to society using knowledge in the field of hematology, parasitology, and body fluid analysis. We also launched projects for society as following below:
- Blood Screening test before marriage project
- Parasite-free project for children in orphanage
- Malaria-free project for community residents in the border areas of Thailand
- Urine testing project for the elderly in nursing homes
Department of Clinical Microscopy