As the field of agricultural biotechnology continues to flourish in the Philippines, a project led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) intensifies its promotion through information dissemination and a series of hands-on basic molecular laboratory training.
Funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), this project is being led by Dr. Reniel S. Pamplona of the Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science (ICropS-CAFS), UPLB.
With an emphasis on agricultural biotechnology’s practical applications and its benefits to Filipinos, the project has conducted five hands-on training in basic agri-biotechnology techniques to capacitate selected participants from research and development institutions (RDIs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from different parts of the Philippines. A total of 58 individuals were trained through this initiative, reaching 31 provinces in the country.
Alongside training, the project also developed a laboratory manual on basic molecular biotechnology authored by Dr. Pamplona and co-authors from ICropS-CAFS, UPLB, including Dr. Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo, Dr. Carlo Miguel C. Sandoval, Mr. John Edward L. Felipe, and Mr. Anand Noel C. Manohar. The manual aims to support the curriculum of HEIs and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track for senior high schools.
The project recently completed its 10-episode webinar series, covering recent technologies and current biotechnology issues, concerns, and regulations in the Philippines. This series is available on the official Facebook page of ICropS-CAFS, UPLB.
Dr. Pamplona’s team is set to participate again in this year’s 20th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) Celebration themed, “#experienceBIOTECH: Expand the Future of Biotechnology through Education, Innovation, and Commercialization.” In collaboration with DOST-PCAARRD, they will be participating in the celebration’s week-long exhibit and hosting a forum on “S&T Agri-Aqua Biotech Foresight and Applications” on November 27, 2024, from 2:00–4:30 pm, at the Drilon Hall, SEARCA, Los Baños, Laguna.
Participants of the hands-on basic molecular laboratory trainings. (Image credit: ICropS-CAFS, UPLB)
Webinar host and project staff Ms. Fritchie Anne C. Tajaran with Dr. Pamplona and resource speakers, Ms. Maria Emblem O. Grulla, Dr. Gelyn D. Sapin, Ms. Kyla Andrea G. Mendoza, and Ms. Claire P. Sandro. (Image credit: ICropS-CAFS, UPLB)