At Mahidol University, we visited the Center for Vaccine Development. Dr. Sutee Yoksan discussed the differentiation and prevalence of the 4 types and many subtypes of dengue viruses. The wide distribution of subtypes makes this a difficult disease to make a vaccine for. Dengue has been present in Thailand for 65 years and there are no completely effective vaccines due to the different types, subtypes, and constantly changing strains of the virus. Dr. Yoksan is currently using primary dog kidney cells to identify the viral strains that may result from the changing biological processes in the cells.
We also were able to see parts of his lab and tour the university. In the first picture, he was not trying to hit AJ, he was just really excited about his work.
Dr. Sutee Yoksan was a very lively and fun man to be around. It was obvious that he enjoys what he
does and he was so excited to tell us about it. Even though it was difficult to understand him, we got a lot out of this visit and appreciate him taking the time out to talk with us.
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