Focused on boosting the competency of genomics researchers in the Philippines, the PCARI funded project Shared Genomics Core Laboratory (SGCL) also serves as an extension of the Philippine Genome Center’s DNA Sequencing and Bioinformatics Facility (DSBF). Through its establishment of an NGS service facility and laboratory, SGCL aims to expand its existing collaborations, networking, and information exchanges within the local scientific community.
With this objective in mind, last November 10, 2017, SGCL partnered with Benguet State University (BSU) in conducting an Agrigenomics seminar at the Venus Parkview Hotel, Baguio City. The seminar was attended by over a hundred participants with attendees from colleges, universities, and local agencies in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)—namely, Abra Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, DENR-CAR, DA-CAR, IHSFA, Mt. Province PLGU, Mt. Province State Polytechnic College, Saint Louis University, University of Baguio, BPI, Benguet PLGU, and Benguet State University.
Dr. Carlito P. Laurean, the Vice President for Research and Extension of Benguet State University welcomed the participants, while Dr. Ma. Anita M. Bautista, the Laboratory Manager of the Shared Genomics Core Laboratory gave a short introduction to the seminar. The seminar opened with an introduction to Genomics and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) by Sarah Mae U. Penir and Beverly Ann G. Boyboy, Research Assistants from the PCARI-SGCL. Followed by guest speakers from the University of Los Baños (UPLB), Dr. Hayde F. Galvez, a Professor and Principal Investigator from the Institute of Plant Breeding whose presentation was about Genomics-assisted molecular breeding in Coconut for insect resistance; Dr. Barbara L. Caoili, UP Scientist I from the Institute of Weed Science, Entomology and Plant Pathology, talked about insect pathogens and genomics; Dr. Agapita J. Salces, a Professor from the Animal and Dairy Sciences, tackled the application of Cattle genomics in an island ecosystem community-based breeding system.
Beginning the afternoon session is another guest speaker from UPLB, Dr. Lerma S.J. Maldia, a Professor from the College of Forestry, presented a talk on upscaling the science gains of forest tree domestication through genomics. Afterwards, Dr. Bautista gave her talk on the application of genomics in integrated pest management. The latter part of the seminar is comprised of speakers from SGCL and PGC, with an overview on NGS data management and analysis as well as Bioinformatics services discussed by El King D. Morado; DNA sequencing services by Dr. Benedict A. Maralit; and SGCL services identified by Jessalyn Parco. Dr. Bautista closed the agrigenomics seminar by expressing her gratitude to all the participants, likewise inviting them to utilize the service facilities available at SGCL and PGC.
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The Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI) is a project of the Philippine government’s Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in collaboration with California-based and leading Philippine academic institutions. The PCARI Project aims to establish a platform for capacity-building to fulfill the Philippine government’s goal of mobilizing knowledge for greater productivity and economic growth in the areas of Information Infrastructure Development and Health Innovation and Translational Medicine. For more information, you may reach the Project at (02) 376 1758 or visit the pcariofficial.blogspot.com.
