The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) showcased its biotechnology products and initiatives via online and onsite platforms at the 19th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) Celebration.
In observance of Presidential Proclamation No. 1414, series of 2007, NBW is celebrated annually to highlight the role of biotechnology as an important tool towards achieving national food security, equitable health access, safe and sustainable environment, and industry development.
With the theme, “Empowering Innovation for a Sustainable Future with Biotechnology,” the Council highlighted four DOST-PCAARRD-funded technologies at the NBW Exhibit 2023 in SM Seaside City, Cebu. These include the development of improved eggplant varieties with new plant defense genes for multiple insect resistance, detection systems for pest and disease resistance in Philippine coffee varieties, ACTICon biocontrol agent, and portable nanobiosensor detection kit for fungal diseases of cacao.
Over 500 visitors comprising students, teachers, researchers, and mallgoers visited the booth.
In the same week, the Council also held the webinar “S&T Agri-Aqua Biotech Applications,” featuring speakers from the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) who presented four biotechnology initiatives on shrimp, cacao, mango, and eggplant.
Dr. Mary Nia M. Santos of NFRDI discussed the topic, “Applications of Bacterial Protein Secretion Systems in Biotechnology,” which focused on the role of Type VI Secretion System (T6SS) during the shrimp infection of Vibrio spp, a bacteria responsible for Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND). She mentioned that her team is studying Vibrio for prevention strategies, disease control, and treatment of AHPND.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lilia M. Fernando-Corpuz of UPLB shared the “Alert® DNA-based Nanobiosensor,” which can detect Phytophthora palmivora, the causal pathogen of black pod rot, and Lasodiplodia theobromae, one of the reported causal pathogens of vascular streak dieback in cacao. This nanobiosensor can aid in increasing the yield and quality of cacao in the country through early detection of the said diseases.
On the other hand, Dr. Maria Eureka T. Ocampo of UPLB talked about “Full Genome Sequencing of Selected Philippine Mango Species.” She presented the three successfully sequenced whole genomes of Mangifera odorata (‘Huani’), Mangifera altissima (‘Paho’), and Mangifera indica ‘Carabao’ (‘Sweet Elena’), which will be used to develop molecular markers for the desired traits of Carabao mango—Philippines’ major export variety.
Finally, Mr. Mark Gabriel S. Sagarbarria of UPLB presented the “Utilization of New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) for Eggplant Improvement.” Using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, Mr. Sagarbarria and his team aim to develop improved eggplant varieties with resistance to leafhopper and eggplant fruit and shoot borer.
The said webinar was aired live via the DOST-PCAARRD Facebook page with more than a hundred online participants across the country.
The NBW DOST-PCAARRD team, comprising key staff from the Crops Research Division (CRD), the Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD), and the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division (IARRD), was led by CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, together with Biotechnology Focal Person Alissa Carol M. Ibarra.
Dr. Santos and Dr. Fernando-Corpuz during the first set (left) and Dr. Ocampo and Mr. Sagarbarria during the second set (right) of open forum with Host Mr. Eiros Colins R. Penido of CRD. (Image Credit: Crops Research Division, DOST-PCAARRD)