Iloilo is poised to become a hub for natural medicine and antibiotic discovery in the Philippines with the opening of world-class research centers and laboratories at the University of San Agustin (USA).
The Center for Informatics (CFI), Center for Advance New Materials Engineering and Emerging Technologies (CANMEET), Tuklas Lunas NMR Laboratory Visayas, and the Mass Spectrometry Imaging Laboratory were inaugurated on May 24.
Scientist Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay, Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology (C2B2) director, said the facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art research instruments.
USA is the first institution in the country and the fourth in Asia to have the cryoprobe NMR and the MALDI-TOF imaging mass spectrometer.
The cryoprobe NMR is a tool in natural medicine discovery that is used to ensure that the identity of the active components of an herbal medicine or synthetic drug is correct.
“NMR is a very very critical instrument in identifying a particular drug that could be an antibiotic or an anti-cancer. This instrument is the one will help us identify that molecule and amo na ina ang maghelp sa aton for clinical trial should that molecule is proven to be safe and effective,” Dalisay told IMT Conversations.
“In order for us nga maaprobahan ina sya sang FDA (Food and Drug Administration) kag mabal-an gid naton kon ano ina nga bulong, ang NMR amo ang makasolve kon ano ang itsura sang bulong in a chemical point of view,” she added.
The imaging mass spectrometer, meanwhile, enables the monitoring of absorption of medicines, providing information if these medicines reach the target organs of the body.
For three years now, Iloilo scientists have been conducting research on natural resources such as sand sediments as natural source of antibiotics.
In fact, Dalisay said they have already a collection of beneficial bacteria from sands taken from various parts of the country.
“We’ve been working with these particular beneficial or good bacteria nga dira makakuha sang bulong agud macure sang mga infections. For the last three years, amo na ang gina-obra namon,” said Dalisay.
“We are looking into the component of the bacteria nga maging source sang antibiotic. This is the reason why continuous ang amon pag-research because once we were able to identify the particular compound kinanglan na gid ya gamitan sang NMR para mabal-an kon ano na ang iya hitsura,” she further said.
The four research facilities paved the way for the university’s transformation from primarily teaching into a research-intensive institution.
USA Associate Vice President for Research and Global Relations Dr. Jonel P. Saludes said USA is “positioned to contribute to nanomaterial and nanotechnology research that will produce a new class of packaging materials that will reduce environmental pollution due to plastic waste.”
It will also lead to the utilization of bio and health informatics for the benefit of public health and social services, he added.
The establishment of these research centers and laboratories is the product of the Balik Scientist and Grant-In-Aid Programs of DOST and the visionary leadership and unwavering support of the Augustinian Friars.
“The future is bright for the Filipinos because the USA, through these research facilities, shall bring new discoveries, products, and technology to the community,” said Saludes.
“The concerted and synergistic support of DOST (Department of Science and Technology)and USA administrators created an enabling ecosystem at USA that led to research productivity for the benefit of the Filipinos. Indeed, Science for the People” he added.
The inauguration of the facilities was headed by the DOST Secretary Dr. Fortunato De la Peña, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, University President, Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA and Augustinian Province of Sto. Niño de Cebu-Philippines Prior Rev. Fr. Andres D. Rivera, Jr., OSA.IMT
