Researchers from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), who called themselves the Ebi Team, was declared as the regional winner for the Invention Category (Tuklas) of the Regional Inventions Contests and Exhibits (RICE) 2017 held at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Manila on October 3-5, 2017.
The team presented the JAmp Alert, a rapid DNA amplification for the detection of the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimp. The technology was developed through funding support of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The JAmp-WSSV detection kit is based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a diagnostics assay that detects WSSV using sequence-specific amplification at one temperature condition.
The diagnostic kit is simple, cost-effective, suitable for on-site applications, and able to yield results within an hour, giving an advantage over the other detection methods available in the market. The invention was recently granted Patent No. 1-2013-0158 in July 2017, the first patent granted to UST.
Dr. Mary Beth B. Maningas, head of the Ebi Team, acknowledged the unwavering support of DOST-PCAARRD and UST’s Office of Research and Innovation (ORI), Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS), Biology Department, College of Science, and the College of Engineering.
RICE is a biennial event spearheaded by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of DOST and DOST Regional Offices. It is a nationwide activity conducted in different regions to highlight the role of the Filipino inventors in Philippine society and in the context of national economic development. The invention contest encourages inventors to use their inventive capability while competing for prestige and cash awards. Open to both public and private sector inventors and researchers, RICE aims to sharpen and support the inventive Filipino mind.
The contest has seven categories, namely, Invention Category (Tuklas) for patented inventions; Utility Model Category; Industrial Design Category; Creative Research Category (Likha) for patent pending inventions for government-funded; Creative Research Category (Likha) for patent pending inventions for privately funded; and Student Creative Research Category for high school and college.