Bacterial strain named after MMSU-CMED Chief
By Jeremy Pascual
MMSU Professor Peter James Gann was recognized for his contributions to the discovery of a novel bacterial strain, named ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ด๐ช๐ญ๐ข๐ค๐ต๐ฐ๐ฃ๐ข๐ค๐ช๐ญ๐ญ๐ถ๐ด ๐ง๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐๐11, in a study published by the American Society for Microbiology. Dr. Gann serves as the Chief of the MMSU Center for Cellular and Molecular Research (CMED), and the naming of the bacterial strain honors his scientific contributions.
The bacterial strain, found in an endemic species of wild yam ๐๐ช๐ฐ๐ด๐ค๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ข ๐ญ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ด๐ช๐ด, locally known as โkarot,โ went through genome sequencing to support CMEDโs ongoing studies into its potential anticancer properties. It bears Dr. Gannโs initials, PJG, preceded by the genus and species.
The study, โDraft genome sequence of Limosilactobacillus fermentum PJG11 isolated from wild yam, Dioscorea luzonensis in Ilocos Norte, Philippines,โ featured in Microbiology Resource Announcements by the American Society for Microbiology, explains the genomic sequencing and assembly of the PJG11 strain.
The published work, primarily authored by Ma. Joy Theresa Agcaoili and co-authored by Lemuel Ray Balloyan, Jimmbeth Zenila Fabia, Marvielyn Olivar, Patrick James Macugay, and Peter James Gann, identified the potential applications of the strain in probiotic-based therapies.
Isolated from a wild yam that is only found in the Northern Philippines, the bacterium represents a promising addition to the growing body of research on beneficial microbes endemic to the Philippines.
โThis work contributes to the expanding field of functional genomics and underscores the importance of exploring indigenous biological resources,โ Ms. Agcaoili noted.
This study helps increase MMSU's recognition in international research, showing its commitment to producing locally relevant work that matters worldwide.
As studies on PJG11 continue, CMED aims to validate its therapeutic potential and explore its application in clinical contexts.
In addition, another novel strain is currently under study and may soon be named after a prominent figure in higher education who led and supported the initiatives of MMSU-CMED.
Apr, 28, 2026 10:06:pm
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