Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU-CMED study uncovers new genetic clues to blood disorders in Filipinos

By Dhanie John Padulip

Researchers of the MMSU Center for Cellular and Molecular Medical Research (CMED), in collaboration with the Davao Medical School Foundation Inc. (DMSFI) and the University of the Philippines Manila - National Institute of Health (UPM-NIH), have uncovered genetic information that may help improve understanding of blood disorders among Filipinos.

The study, “Mutations in Distal Cis-Regulatory Elements in the Beta-Globin (HBB) Gene Promoter of Filipinos Influences Transcriptional Activity,” highlights the need for genetic research on beta-thalassemia and related blood traits, specifically focusing on the promoter of the HBB gene.

By examining genetic differences among Filipinos, the study provided a better understanding of how the population's DNA may influence blood-related traits. This Filipino-specific information can become valuable for future research on inherited blood conditions and genetic testing.

“By identifying variants present among Filipinos and examining how these relate to blood parameters and gene activity, researchers can build a better understanding of our population’s genetic diversity,” Jimmbeth Zenila Fabia, a co-author, explained. “In the long term, this knowledge could contribute to improving genetic screening, diagnosis, and interpretation of inherited blood conditions in the Philippines,” she added.

The authors consist of MMSU researchers Yousef Lawal, Norman Garvida, Jimmbeth Zenila P. Fabia, Peter James Icalia-Gann, and James Patrick Peralta, alongside Christian Adam Espiritu and Bon Ebner Maceda from DMSFI and UPM-NIH, respectively. The collaboration brought together expertise in genomics, molecular biology, and health research, strengthening MMSU’s contribution to biomedical and genomic research.

This study, published in Genes, an international Scopus-indexed scientific journal, highlights a significant stride in the growing body of knowledge about Filipino genetics and blood disorders.

With this study, MMSU-CMED continues to build research capacity in molecular and cellular studies to address the gaps in knowledge about Filipino genetics. The university also continues to contribute to biomedical and genomic research, particularly in understanding genetic factors that may influence health among Filipinos.