Kanin Wichapong

Dr Kanin Wichapong received his PhD in Chemistry from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. After completing his PhD, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany, where he focused on using computer-based methods to discover and design new drug candidates.

He then joined the Department of Biochemistry at Maastricht University, where he works on computer-aided drug discovery and molecular design. His research applies in silico approaches, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and binding free energy calculations, to understand how proteins interact with each other and how these interactions can be targeted by potential therapeutic molecules. He develops and applies computational methods to identify and design new small molecules, peptides, and engineered proteins as potential therapeutic candidates. His research combines computational chemistry, structural biology, and drug discovery, with the aim of helping researchers identify promising therapeutic candidates more efficiently. More recently, he has expanded his research to include artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approaches for drug discovery and molecular design, using AI and machine learning to improve the identification and design of potential new drug candidates.

Department of Biochemistry
Universiteitsingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: H4.301

  • 2025
    • Aroca-Crevillen, A., Martin-Salamanca, S., Torres, L. S., Crainiciuc, G., Sicilia, J., Penaloza-Martinez, E., Rosillo, N., Molina-Moreno, M., Adrover, J. M., Rubio-Ponce, A., Vicanolo, T., Liu, X., Wichapong, K., Nunez, V., Balabanian, K., Bachelerie, F., Sancho, D., Casanova-Acebes, M., Ortiz-Perez, J. T., ... Hidalgo, A. (2025). A circadian checkpoint relocates neutrophils to minimize injury. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 223(2), Article e20250240. https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20250240
    • Huckriede, J., Keulen, G. M., van de Poll, M. C. G., Wichapong, K., Reutelingsperger, C. P. M., & Nicolaes, G. A. F. (2025). Proteolytic neutralization of extracellular histones by neutrophil elastase is enhanced by heparin. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 23(8), 2483-2493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtha.2025.03.039
    • Beukenhorst, A. L., Rice, K. L., Frallicciardi, J., Koldijk, M. H., Boudreau, C. M., Crawford, J., Cornelissen, L. A. H. M., da Costa, K. A. S., de Jong, B. A., Fischinger, S., Julg, B., Klap, J. M., Koch, C. M., Magyarics, Z., Mohamed, F. A. N., Okonkwo, V., Adams, L., McCarthy, C. M., Ronsard, L., ... Goudsmit, J. (2025). Intranasal administration of a panreactive influenza antibody reveals Fc-independent mode of protection. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article 10309. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94314-5
    • Mozaffari, S., Moen, A., Ng, C. Y., Nicolaes, G. A. F., & Wichapong, K. (2025). Structural bioinformatics for rational drug design. Research and practice in thrombosis and haemostasis, 9(1), Article e102691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpth.2025.102691
  • 2024
    • Monard, A., Castoldi, E., De Simone, I., Wichapong, K., van Duijl, T., van den Biggelaar, M., Spada, S., van Doorn, W., Hellenbrand, D., van der Meijden, P., Swieringa, F., Stork, A., ten Cate, H., Beckers, E., Heubel-Moenen, F., & Henskens, Y. (2024). Case Report: Laboratory detection of a thrombotic tendency in a family with hypodysfibrinogenemia and a novel FGG mutation. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 11, Article 1488602. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2024.1488602
    • Keulen, G. M., Huckriede, J., Wichapong, K., & Nicolaes, G. A. F. (2024). Histon activities in the extracellular environment: regulation and prothrombotic implications. Current Opinion in Hematology, 31(5), 230-237. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOH.0000000000000827
    • Singh, A., Kraaijeveld, A. O., Curaj, A., Wichapong, K., Hammerich, L., de Jager, S. C. A., Bot, I., Atamas, S. P., van Berkel, T. J. C., Jukema, J. W., Comerford, I., Mccoll, S. R., Mees, B., Heemskerk, J. W. M., Nicolaes, G. A. F., Hackeng, T., Liehn, E. A., Tacke, F., & Biessen, E. A. L. (2024). CCL18 aggravates atherosclerosis by inducing CCR6-dependent T-cell influx and polarization. Frontiers in Immunology, 15, Article 1327051. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1327051
    • Guerkan, B., Poelman, H., Pereverzeva, L., Kruijswijk, D., de Vos, A. F., Groenen, A. G., Nollet, E. E., Wichapong, K., Lutgens, E., van der Poll, T., Du, J., Wiersinga, W. J., Nicolaes, G. A. F., & van 't Veer, C. (2024). The IRAK-M death domain: a tale of three surfaces. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 10, Article 1265455. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2023.1265455
  • 2023
    • Huckriede, J. B., Beurskens, D. M. H., Wildhagen, K. C. C. A., Reutelingsperger, C. P. M., Wichapong, K., & Nicolaes, G. A. F. (2023). Design and characterization of novel activated protein C variants for the proteolysis of cytotoxic extracellular histone H3. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 21(12), 3557-3567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtha.2023.08.023
    • Thomassen, M. C. L. G. D., Bouwens, B. R. C., Wichapong, K., Suylen, D. P., Bouwman, F. G., Hackeng, T. M., & Koenen, R. R. (2023). Protein arginine deiminase 4 inactivates tissue factor pathway inhibitor-alpha by enzymatic modification of functional arginine residues. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 21(5), 1214-1226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtha.2023.01.017