By Crisdeniele H. Clemente

To discuss proposals for the future genomics consortium in North Luzon, officials of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) visited the Mariano Marcos State University today, August 4. 

The visitors, led by PGC Executive Director Cynthia Saloma, met with MMSU officials and faculty members of the Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) in a program held this morning at the Audio-Visual Room of the College of Arts and Sciences. 

In the meeting, Dr. Saloma emphasized the need to build genome sequencing training centers and laboratories for higher education institutions in North Luzon. She also expressed interest to collaborate with MMSU to realize the endeavor. 

The implementation of on-site lectures and hands-on workshops on molecular biology and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology were discussed by PGC and MMSU officials. 

Prof. Elpidio Cadalzo, Jr., DBS chairperson, said these activities are scheduled in October this year at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Diliman, Quezon City. After which, a similar in-house lecture and workshop will be held in MMSU. 

Representing MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, vice president for research and extension, affirmed the university’s support to the initiative. 

“This would surely enhance the biological sciences curriculum of the universities in North Luzon, and hone the competencies of our faculty members,” Dr. Alibuyog remarked. 

In 2010, MMSU obtained its status as CHED Center of Development in Biology in Biology Education. Its BS and MS Biology programs are also accredited Level IV and Level II, respectively, by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines. 

Located in Diliman, Quezon City, PGC is a genomics-focused multidisciplinary research unit of the University of the Philippines System. It provides a full range of DNA sequencing services. (HLY/DPT, StratCom)