The Philippine Genome Center DNA Sequencing Core Facility has finally opened its doors! The facility held its launch today and is now fully operational and ready to serve the whole Filipino scientific community. DOST Secretary Hon. Mario G. Montejo and University of the Philippines President Alfredo E. Pascual led the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Scientists from New York University’s Department of Biology visit PGC
Dr. Anne Plessis and Ines Pires, scientists from Dr. Michael Purugganan’s Laboratory in New York University’s Department of Biology, went to visit to the Philippine Genome Center last Thursday, July 11, 2013.
QIAgility Automated Liquid Handler Training
Last June 6, 2013, we had our training for the QIAgility Automated Liquid Handler. The QIAgility will aid in the high-throughput sample preparation of the DNA Sequencing Core Facility.
DSCF and SEAFDEC Collaboration on Aquatic Pathogens
Last May 13 to 15, 2013, Dr. Cynthia Saloma and research assistants Gabriel and David went to the South East Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Iloilo for DSCF’s collaboration with SEAFDEC on projects involving aquaculture pathogens. On this trip, DNA from shrimps infected with the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Vibrio harveyi pure cultures were extracted and brought back to the DSCF laboratory for sequencing.
Ion Torrent PGM and Proton Training
Last May 6 to 9, we had our training on the Ion Torrent PGM and Proton next generation sequencers in the DSCF laboratory. The training was conducted by Life Tech Field Application Specialists Eileen and Suthee, with the help of Life Tech local rep Medtest’s own FAS, Katherine. Our training covered the workflow of the Ion Torrent.
DSCF attends the 2013 Illumina Asia Pacific Scientific Summit
Last April 21-24, 2013, Dr. Cynthia Saloma and research assistant Krizelle Alcantara traveled to Phuket, Thailand to attend the 2013 Illumina Asia Pacific Scientific Summit. It is a premier regional customer event hosted by Illumina which brought together scientists from renowned research institutions in the Asia Pacific, including Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, and Australia, as well as from the US and Germany.
Shimadzu MultiNA Training
Last February 25-26, 2013, Denice, Gabriel, and David of the DSCF went to Shimadzu Singapore to train for the usage of the Shimadzu MultiNA automated electrophoresis machine, which the facility has acquired. The MultiNA is a chip electrophoresis system that can determine concentrations and sizes of DNA and RNA samples. Because micro channels are used for electrophoresis, only minute amounts of the samples are needed, resolution is high, and best of all, it’s automated for high-throughput applications.
DSCF at the first NIMBB Conference
As one of the speakers in the 1st MBB Conference during the week-long celebration of NIMBB’s 25th anniversary last December 9-12, 2012, Denice introduced the Philippine Genome Center to the NIMBB community. She presented an overview of what PGC is and its goals, giving emphasis on the DNA Sequencing Core Facility, its services, as well as opportunities for students and collaborators.
DSCF attends the 4th Annual Asia-Pacific Life Technologies Sequencing Summit
Dr. Cynthia Saloma and research assistant Denice Palmos attended the 4th Annual Asia-Pacific Life Technologies Sequencing Summit last October 7-9, 2012 held in Bali, Indonesia. The event featured plenary sessions and scientific poster presentations, which highlighted different research studies from a wide variety of genomic field specializations.