News
2023
OCTOBER
Celebrating a Successful Molecular Biology Workshop!
The DOST-PCHRD funded project lead by Ms. Joy Ann P. Santos of Biological Research and Services Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute of UP Diliman, are thrilled to look back on a remarkable journey of discovery and collaboration during the Molecular Biology Workshop Held on October 12-13, 2023 at the University of the Philippines Tacloban, made possible through the incredible support and expertise of our collaborating agencies, esteemed invited guests, and distinguished lecturers.
Together, we embarked on a scientific odyssey that delved deep into the fascinating world of molecules and genes, unraveling the intricacies of life at its core. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our collaborating agencies the Noveaulab Asia Corporation, Manila HealthTek Inc. and the University of the Philippines Tacloban, whose unwavering dedication and resources helped bring this workshop to fruition. Your commitment to advancing scientific knowledge is truly commendable.
Our invited guests: Dr. Raul V. Destura and Dr. Abel Alejandro Flores Jr. leading lights in the field, graced us with their invaluable insights and wisdom, enriching our collective understanding of molecular biology. We are honored to have had the opportunity to learn from your expertise.
We also thank the participants for their dedication, passion, and commitment to advancing molecular biology. We look forward to continuing this exciting journey of discovery and collaboration in the future, making the world a better place through science.
JULY
BRSL meets Kyoto University to Discuss Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Coordination
The BRSL, led by BRSL Head, Dr. Pierangeli Vital, met with representatives from Kyoto University to discuss Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) coordination in ASEAN region. This meeting is part of the project being implemented by the Kyoto University, Japan, which aims to establish the roles of “STI coordinators” in ASEAN region. This will evaluate the status of human resource dedicated to STI coordination in ASEAN region as a previous study by Kyoto University revealed that STI coordination are mainly undertaken by researchers.
Under the current project, the Kyoto University narrows down the definition of “STI coordinators” as “staff employed by either a university, research institute, or government agency working to implement top-down program and projects set directly under national STI policies aiming to solve common societal issues”, and plans to help other countries to develop human resource for STI coordination. STI coordinators are sought to be the main bridges of STI across different sectors, having the expertise in proposing and implementing international joint research programs. The meeting was held last July 28, 2023 at the Natural Sciences Research Institute.
APRIL
BRSL Laboratory Animal Workshop 2023
21 & 28 April 2023
On April 21, 2023 the BRSL Laboratory Animal Workshop returned to its regular face-to-face format
for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started but still adhered to health restrictions for the
safety of the participants and organizers. This one-day workshop which included lectures and practical
hands-on exercises was attended by researchers and students from various institutions in the country
who were not able to avail of lab animal training for their certification for the past two years because
of the strict quarantine and travel requirements. On the other hand, the lab animal workshop
organized for the Institute of Biology (IB) and the National Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology (NIMBB) of UP Diliman was held in hybrid format with the online lecture session done
on April 27 th and the face-to-face hands-on session on April 28 th with both sessions held from 8:00 AM
to 12:00 NN. Invited resource speakers for the April 21 workshop were members of the UPD
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) lead by Dr. Maria Amelita Estacio (UPLB College
of Veterinary Medicine), Dr. Elena Catap (IB), and Dr. Ma. Josefa Pante (Marine Science Institute) and
a veterinarian from the Bureau of Animal Industry Animal Health and Welfare Division (BAI-AHWD)
represented by Dr. Marie Shella Ordinario. The speakers discussed topics on animal care and
husbandry, occupational health and safety, experimental design, and animal welfare, respectively. Dr.
Estacio then teamed up with Dr. Kwesi Ian Jay Junsan of the BAI-AHWD for the hybrid workshop
which required the IB and NIMBB participants to take a post-test after the online lecture session. In
both workshops, the participants were taught proper and humane handling of animals for basic
procedures such as restraining, sexing, drug administration, blood collection, blood glucose
determination and mouse dissection. The workshops were organized in collaboration with Dr. Estacio
to comply with the requirements of the UPD IACUC for all UPD animal users and AO 40 otherwise
known as the Rules and Regulations on the Conduct of Scientific Procedures Using Animals.
2022
NOVEMBER
SEPTEMBER
Molecular Biology Workshop: Digital PCR
29 & 30 September 2022
Congratulations to the participants who completed the workshops on Digital PCR Technology! The workshops were held on September 29 and 30, 2022 at Natural Sciences Research Institute, UP Diliman. It was made possible in partnership with Medical Test Systems, Inc. (MEDTEST).
Photos by Brandon Belmi
BRSL RESEARCHERS ATTEND SAKURA SCIENCE 2022
27 September 2022
Led by BRSL Head, Dr. Pierangeli Vital, University Research Associates, Donnabel Sena (MSc student) and Brian Adrielle Cacayan, attended this year’s Sakura Science Exchange Program (Japan Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science). The Sakura Science Program was held at the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan on September 5 to 14, 2022, with the theme “International Collaboration to Solve the Global Issues Using the Next Generation Sequencing.” Through Dr. Vital’s efforts, junior researchers and students in BRSL can participate in this yearly program. The program consisted of training on next generation sequencing (NGS) using Illumina MiSeq Platform. Released in 2011 alongside two other major next generation sequencing platforms (Ion Torrent’s PGM and Pacific Biosciences’ RS), the Illumina MiSeq has modernized genomic research as it can perform metagenomics, whole genome sequencing, and clonal amplification in a single run. Together with delegates from Colombia, Mexico, and Malaysia, the BRSL delegates underwent a series of hands-on laboratory activities on NGS sample preparation specifically for metagenomic analysis and whole genome sequencing applications. The program culminated in a brief introduction to bioinformatics to help the participants process the resulting NGS data, as well as a short program to share the Japanese culture with the international delegates and the awarding of certificates of participation. The researchers who organized and participated the program are hopeful that the resulting NGS data will be useful for research and publication. The Sakura Science Program was spearheaded by Dr. Toshinari Maeda, a professor at the Department of Biological Functions and Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology.