Science and Technology, Research and Development

[bitoy]

Originally Posted by kiretoce

Has a Filipino won a Nobel Prize before? Or came close at least?

There were some Filipinos nominated so far...

University of the Philippine professor Edgar E. Escuoltrua has been nominated for the 2005 Nobel Prize for Physics, according to two members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

http://manilamaildc.net/article-print-88.html

[jgacis]

Filipino scientist and inventor......Jose Rizal.

Physician

After impressing the Jesuit friars and finishing his Bachelor of Arts with highest honors at the Ateneo, Rizal transferred to the University of Santo Tomas where he simultaneously took up Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.

In 1882, Rizal sailed for Spain and enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid. He received his licentiate in Medicine in 1884 and his licentiate in Philosophy and Letters the following year.

Because of his mother's failing eyesight, Rizal chose to specialize in ophthalmology and worked in the eye clinic of Dr. Louis Weckert, a famous French ophthalmologist. After his four month training with Weckert, Rizal left for Heidelberg, Germany in February 1886 to work under the tutelage of Dr. Otto Becker, an eminent German ophthalmologist. Rizal completed his studies in ophthalmic surgery in this city.

Rizal himself became a skilled ophthalmologist, later making quite a name for himself in Hong Kong. His most famous patient was of course his mother, Doña Teodora, whom he saved from impending blindness.

Geographer

As a keen student of countries and races, Rizal realized the value of skills in geography. He knew that geography is an important shaper of history for it affects a people's way of life and the events that take place around them.

Rizal acquired his extensive knowledge of geography through his numerous travels abroad; by pouring over geography books and maps; and by mingling with the famous geographers of Europe, including Dr. W. Joest of Berlin. In recognition of his geographical expertise and his deep interest in geography, he was admitted in February 1887 as a member of the renowned Geographic Society of Berlin. He was the first Asian scholar to become a member of the society.

As a geographer, Rizal rendered valuable services to his Austrian friend, Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt. He furnished Blumentritt with vital information on Philippine geography that the latter needed in his ethnographic and linguistic studies. For instance, in November 1886, Rizal corrected Blumentritt's map of Mindanao in southern Philippines by adding Lake Lanao to it.

Rizal considered geography as one of the more useful disciplines and believed that it should be a required subject in school. In the curriculum he made for his proposed college in Hong Kong, he included geography as one of the main subjects together with mathematics, chemistry, physics, history, economics, law, religion, ethics, languages, and physical education.

While in exile in Dapitan, he taught a group of bright boys a wide range of subjects including geography. It is interesting to note that Rizal planned to write a school textbook on geography for children. This was one of the more ambitious projects he failed to realize because of his execution in 1896.

Rizal's expertise in geography aided him in his historical, anthropological, and political researches. Among his writings which required a good grasp of geography were "Ma-yi" (December 1888), "Tawalasi of Ibn Batuta" (January 1889), "The Philippines a Century Hence" (February 1890), "The Indolence of the Filipinos" (September 1890), "The People of Indian Archipelago" (no date), and "Notes on Melanesia, Malaysia, and Polynesia" (no date).

Naturalist

Upon his arrival from Europe in 1892, Rizal was promptly arrested and incarcerated at Fort Santiago. Soon after, he was exiled to Dapitan where he lived for four years. During this period, Rizal immersed himself in the study of nature.

Rizal was a dedicated naturalist. With the help of his Dapitan pupils, he collected numerous species of birds, insects, butterflies, shells, snakes, and plants. His collection of shells was said to be the richest private collection of conchology in the Philippines during his time. It consisted of over 340 shells representing more than 200 species.

Driven by curiosity and an eagerness to contribute to the pool of scientific knowledge, Rizal sent many specimens of animals, insects, and plants for identification to the museums of Europe, particularly the Anthropological and Ethnographical Museum of Dresden.

He however never accepted money for these specimens, only scientific books and magazines and surgical instruments which he needed in Dapitan. In October 1893 for instance, he sent Director A.B. Meyer of the Anthropological and Ethnographic Museum of Dresden 12 snakes, one sea horse, two scorpions, and several butterflies. In subsequent months, he sent more specimens for the museum, including various kinds of insects, birds, and lizards. In payment for these specimens Rizal shipped to Dresden, Meyer sent him scientific books and journals , artificial eyes, microscopes, and surgical instruments.

Three rare specimens of animals discovered by Rizal earned him high praises from European scientists who named them in his honor: the Draco rizali, a small lizard popularly known as a flying dragon; Apogania rizali, a rare kind of beetle; and the Rhacophorus rizali, a peculiar frog species.

Inventor

Rizal was not an inventive wizard like Thomas Edison but he did have a certain talent for invention. He invented a cigarette lighter, which he called sulpakan, and sent it to Blumentritt in 1887 as a gift. The lighter used a compressed air mechanism.

While in Dapitan, Rizal also invented a wooden machine for making bricks which turned out about 6,000 bricks daily.

Jose Rizal contributed many things to the Philippines, including his life. Hope more filipinos find courage and inspiration from his life to help our country progress into the future.

[dinabaw]

Shall we include the doctor(just forgot the name , his brother a former Secretary of Health) who discovered a cure for Aids w/ coconut products.

Rizal also invented a water piping system using bamboo poles.

[tigidig14]

nice stuff lil

[jgacis]

PEOPLE are generally born curious. Our fascination with a lot of things come early. At a young age, we ask a range of simple questions like "What's that?" or "What are you doing?" to the lip-stuttering "How was I born?" or "How did you make me?" which parents find difficulty answering.

And finally through learning, we become inventive. We pile up our knowledge to come up with new things which usually comes from
environment. But little did we know that our path to success sometimes just lies around the corner. Just as what Col. Geronimo A. Dango, the one who gave the world the "magiclip" took.

The simple yet very useful trick started when, in the early 70s, in a small firm in Los Angeles where Dango works as a maintenance engineer, he observed Mexican delivery boys playing with an engineer's T-square and junked ball bearings. The ball bearings when pressed against the T-square can hold up pieces of paper even without tapes, clips, or thumb tacks. This was a neat trick that took Dango's interest and without his knowing brought an overwhelming change in his life. Born with a curious and inventive mind, Dango bought the idea and realised that by using the similar technique, he could come up with a simple device that could bring great help to office workers in holding up paper works. And that was when the "magiclip" came into being.

After years of perfecting his simple invention, Dango had the device patented in America which unfortunately did not do well. Thus, in 1977, when the former President Ferdinand Marcos issued P.O. 819, the Balik-Scientist Program which allows Filipino scientists to come home and be given the privilege to contribute to the economy's development.

Though the market in the Philippines for his magiclip did not do magic with sheer courage and determination, he relentlessly pushed his product and took the risk of putting up his own company, the Herdan Enterprises, which later on became Herdan Corporation, which produces a multiple other products using the "MagiClip" concept. These included copy holders, telephone organizers, flip charts, desk organizers, and holders for negatoscope x-rays.

Through his unprecedented determination and courage, Dango received the Huwarang Pilipino 2001 Award in Science and Technology. He once said that everything will be possible if we learn to expect and not to doubt. Dango is just one absolute example of a person with unparalleled courage who stood trials and rose amidst hardships. His experience is indeed an inspiration to those who wish to tread the arduous path to success. But to be able to tread it fortuitously, courage and determination are your tickets to success.

Magiclip Paper Holder is protected by the following patents:
US Patent Nos.: 236342 & 245989
Canada Patent No. 38232
Phil Patent Nos.: 11754, UM1440
UM5687, UM164 & UM6261

Geronimo A. Dango use to work here in Los Angeles where I was born. Although I don't see his products popular here today, I'm impressed at the efforts he tried for achieving his dreams.

My favorite line in the article above:

He once said that everything will be possible if we learn to expect and not to doubt.

[death327]

I am not sure if Dr Claro Llaguno of Department of Chemistry had been nominated for Nobel... but his work on Quantum Chemistry is well-known... especially the CTL equation of state.

[AH-7Raja]

Industrial Designing courses are also playing some very important role in the Philippines towards the new generation of filipino inventors.

Our government needs to seriously invest in our research & development sector.

If we wanna build our first gunship (AH-7 Raja), 4x4 Jeep (Barako), car (Sakbayan), etcetera, first our government should support our educational system big time, to produce the right people, followed by the Department of Science & Technology (research & development), to produce the right products. We all have the technologies in placed, and all we need to do is copying them and reverse engineer them just like what other countries does specially india & china.

If we do all this, then the last step would be to market them. If we successfully marketed them then we can build up its revenue and then it will go cycle, use it back to boost our economy. This is a potential big time dollar earner, and this is what we call, a self-reliance.

[AH-7Raja]

Was it the japanese who bought the rights for the karaoke machines?

Whatever happened to mr. Dingel's invention, is now in the hands of the americans, & the japanese.

The bottom point, it doesnt matter now how much we produced excellent inventors and scientists. If our government continue to neglect them and do not boost the DOTC budget, then we will have nowhere to go. Our nation will continue to import products that we didn't developed, instead of exporting some electronics or even vehicles that are proudly been designed, developed, & made in the philippines.

[Rajah_Soliman]

Electric vehicle goes on trial run in Cavite ecozone
By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
The Philippine Star 03/09/2007

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is hosting the trial run of the first locally produced vehicle that runs on batteries and electric power.

PEZA Director General Lilia B. de Lima said the Philippine Electric Vehicle (PEV) will be used first within the government-run Cavite export processing zone. The PEV will transport the 90,000 workers within the zone during the trial run set to begin next month.

The vehicle’s inventor Roel Judilla said each unit will cost P600,000 to make. However, he said they are still ironing out kinks in order to bring down costs to between P300,000 to P400,000.

According to Judilla, the PEV is not yet optimized because it runs only 80 kilometers every four-hour charging session, costing P1,500 per full charge.

In addition, he said the PEV cannot be used commercially or in far places. He said the car may only be used for specific short distances like inside the ecozone, military camps, subdivisions or theme parks. "The use of the PEV must be confined in fixed distances and small places."

But Judilla said he is confident he can come out with a more efficient version in two months’ time. For instance, he said he is developing a model that would run using solar energy to avoid the exorbitant electricity costs.

Initially, he said 50 units will be produced. He said they will market the vehicle to high-end subdivisions, leisure parks and resorts.

The objective of the PEV is to introduce a clean and sustainable urban mass transport service on a limited travel distance. He said the PEV is a cheaper transport service when compared to the jeepney.

The PEV sits 10 passengers. Majority of the parts, or 70 percent, will be sourced in the country. Francisco Motors Phils. designed the body and chassis while the safety glass came from Asahi Glass Philippines.

[jgacis]

Wednesday, March 07 2007 @ 05:19 PM GMT

Technology
To ensure environmental protection and safety of the vast marine resources, the patented works of a Filipino inventor on oil recovery system would be adopted here as part of its emergency response program on sea tragedies.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga said that the patented system developed by Filipino inventor Doroteo Gaerlan on safe oil retrieval operations on sunken vessels would be adopted in case sea tragedies occur in this premier Freeport zone.

"This is part of our holistic risk management and emergency response system particularly on sea tragedies causing destructive oil spills," Salonga said.

Salonga noted that the presence here of the 2.4 million barrels of about 381 million liter-capacity depot facilities for oil, petroleum and lubricant products of the Coastal Petroleum and the PTT Oils of Thailand have been given by the SBMA the importance on its risk management system.

Apart from the Coastal-PTT depots, major players in oil industry such as Petron, Shell and Caltex are regularly utilizing the Port of Subic as its transshipment harbor to import various oil products for local market distribution.

Salonga said that the Gaerlan system would be endorsed for the use of the Philippine Coast Guard and its auxiliary organization during "distress calls" on future oil spill incidents.

"Filipino ingenuities should be given much attention and support from both the government and private sector to encourage our aspiring local inventors to develop worthy and relevant discoveries," Salonga said.

Likewise, the government has identified Subic Freeport as one of the possible future sites to become the country's oil transshipment hub in the Asia-Pacific rim because of its strategic location and oil depot facilities.

For his part, Gaerlan said that he has invented a "sure, safer, easier, cheaper and simpler" way of recovering the oil cargo of sunken tanker which is being touted as the "modern oil recovery system of the world."

"The system has been proven effective based on comprehensive experimental testing and simulations conducted by our experts," Gaerlan said.

Gaerlan revealed that the patent is based on principles of physics and other related branches of science which the oil recovery system could be completed at a maximum speed and velocity rate of 300,000 liters every six hours.

The system could be used in the Guimaras Island to fast track its recovery operations. (PNA)

[kiretoce]

Pinoy named Harvard Scientist of 2007
By Doreen Yu The Philippine Star

A Filipino molecular biologist has been named by the Harvard Foundation as 2007 Scientist of the Year.

Dr. Baldomero Olivera, son and namesake of a former STAR columnist, will receive the distinction at an honorary luncheon on Friday at Harvard’s Pforzheimer House, which opens the annual Albert Einstein Science Conference sponsored by the Harvard Foundation. The foundation is observing its 25th anniversary this year.

Olivera, who was nominated by the Harvard Foundation’s Student/Faculty Advisory Committee, is being honored for his contributions in the field of biology, in particular for his groundbreaking research on neurotoxins produced by venomous cone snails found in Philippine waters. The toxins that he and his team identified are now widely used in neuroscience research.

He is a leading figure in the emerging field of neuropharmacology. Although based in the US, Olivera maintains a laboratory in the Philippines that continues research work on neurotoxins that target specific ion channels in the central nervous system. His work has led to the development of a drug, now in clinical trails, that appears to be more effective against chronic pain than morphine. Knowledge provided by his basic research studies may also shed light on conditions, such as schizophrenia and epilepsy, which involve the function of receptors and ion channels in the nervous system.

"Dr. Olivera is widely respected as a biological scientist for his excellent work in neurotoxicology and his dedication to students in the field," said Dr. S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation and associate professor of neurology and neurophysiology.

"In his research, teaching, and social commitments, he is a distinguished role model whom we honor for his fine example," Counter added. Olivera is Distinguished Professor of Biology at the University of Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, summa cum laude, from the University of the Philippines and a doctorate in biochemistry from the California Institute of Technology. He did postdoctoral work at Stanford University with Dr. I Robert Lehman.

Last year, he was appointed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor. Olivera has published over 250 scientific papers on the biological sciences.

Each year, the Harvard Foundation and members of the science community present a special award to an internationally acclaimed scientist for his or her contributions and achievements in the biological and physical sciences, and particularly their efforts to advance minorities and women in the sciences.

Olivera will receive the award from the dean of Harvard College and the president of Harvard University.

Olivera will speak about his life as a scientist and deliver remarks to encourage college students to pursue careers in the sciences.

On Saturday Olivera will join some 30 Harvard undergraduate students and a hundred boys and girls from Boston and Cambridge public schools for the foundation’s annual Partners in Science program, which features lectures and demonstrations by Harvard science faculty at the Science Center for inner city junior high school students, and interactive science experiments with Harvard College students.

Last year’s Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year awardee was Dr. P. Uri Treisman, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Texas in Austin, who was recognized for his efforts to improve math and science education, particularly for minorities.

Past Harvard Foundations honorees include Nobel Laureate in chemistry Dr. Mario Molina, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, former chair of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, astronauts Dr. Ellen Ochoa and Dr. Mae Jamison, mathematician Dr. Jonathan David Farley, and distinguished mathematics teacher Jaime Escalante of the Stand and Deliver project.

The annual Harvard Foundation Albert Einstein Science Conference: Advancing Minorities and Women in Science, Engineering and Mathematics aims to bring together a diverse group of professors and students with interest in the basic, applied, natural and biological sciences. It is named after the distinguished scientist who visited historically black colleges to demonstrate his commitment to equal education and civil rights, and who spoke out against racism and anti-Semitism in American and around the world.

[death327]

Research and Development Facilities in the Philippines

I am not sure if we already have a thread like this but I think it is necessary for us to have one as to assess and check our capabilities in terms of research and development in all fields.

This thread will showcase all establishments we have, private and government funded, local and international, dedicated for research and development in the field of pure sciences, applied sciences, mathematics, engineering, information science and technology, social sciences, economics, public governance and administration, history, archaeology, anthropology, paleontology and origin studies, environmental studies and weather studies, transportation studies, urban planning and development theology, and even linguistics and language studies, etc. We can include all institutes under the academe, offices of the government dedicated for research development and private entities that works on this kind of mission. Also, we can include small facilities such as observatory, weather stations, and research stations. Or in short... this includes all institutions that had published articles in intenational, regional and local journals and institutions that had developed technologies for both scientific and common uses, but this excludes educational institutions as a whole such as univerisities and colleges (however we can include individual units dedicated to R&D of these institutions such as center of excellence, school of something, etc.).

Let me start with the following.

1. Philippine Nuclear Institute
2. SEAFDEC
3. IRRI
4. National Engineering Center
5. Marine Science Institute

[death327]

Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
http://www.pnri.dost.gov.ph/about.html





PNRI in Brief

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) is mandated to:
undertake research and development activities in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, to institute regulations on the said uses and to carry out the enforcement of said regulations to protect the health and safety of radiation workers and the general public.

Functions

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), formerly the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), is the sole agency of the government mandated to advance and regulate the safe and peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in the Philippines. It is one of the research institutes under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Under Executive Order 128, PNRI is mandated to perform the following functions:

• Conduct research and development on the application of radiation and nuclear techniques, materials and processes;

• Undertake the transfer of research results to end-users, including technical extension and training services;

• Operate and maintain nuclear research reactors and other radiation facilities; and

• License and regulate activities relative to production, transfer and utilization of nuclear radioactive substances.

Facilities

1. Irradiation Facility
2. Dispenser
3. Radioactive Waste Treatment
4. Machine Shop


PNRI Nuclear Services

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) extends nuclear and allied services to clients from industry, business, health, government and the academe to encourage and widen the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear technology in various fields.

I. Radiotracer and Sealed Source Applications

Radiotracer applications in industry such as leak detection, flowrate measurement and geothermal well reinjection tests
Sealed source applications in industry such as gamma column scanning and neutron backscatter gauging.

II. X-Ray Spectrometry Applications

The PNRI performs rapid multielement analysis of materials using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. Some of the samples that have been analyzed using this technique included food and agricultural products, soil, water and solutions. XRF spectrometry is also being used by PNRI as a tool in the quality control of fine jewelry and even in fashion jewelry. For more information on the application of this technique in the jewelry industry, click XRF in Jewelry Industry.


III. Cytogenetic Analysis

CYTOGENETIC ANALYSES FOR RADIOLOGICAL REASSURANCE AND GENETIC COUNSELLING

Through its Cytogenetics Research Group, the PNRI extends the following services to various clients:

Genetic Analysis for Radiological Reassurance. This involves the monitoring/ calculation of the accidental or occupational exposure of radiation workers and nuclear researchers to ionizing radiation through blood sample analyses.
Genetic Analysis for Genetic Counselling . This involves the determination/confirmation of the presence or absence of clinical disorders such as Down?s syndrome, Turner?s syndrome, Kleinfelter?s syndrome, primary amenorrhea, testicular feminization, infertlity, delayed growth, and seizures.

IV. Engineering Services

The Engineering Services Group renders the following services:
- Repair of nucleonic equipment/instruments for PNRI and non-PNRI clients
- Decommissioning of radiation device/facility
- For PNRI : Repair and maintenance of electro-mechanical devices and equipment fabrication jobs of mechanical parts, tools and devices; and participation in the construction, repair and upgrading of PNRI facilities.

PNRI Research and Development Projects

PNRI's research and development programs are focused on the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear techniques, materials and processes to help in the government's efforts of increasing agricultural and industrial productivity as well as ensuring health security and safeguarding the environment.
The Institute in particular, initiates and promotes nuclear related research and development programme thru the development and demonstration activities in nuclear S & T in the areas of: 1.) Agriculture and Natural Resources; 2.) Biomedicine including Radiobiology, Radiation-related Biomedical Technology and Public Health and Safety; 3.) Health Physics and Ecology; 4.) Physics, Chemistry, Analytical Measurements and Geo-Nuclear Materials; and 5.) Industrial application of Radioisotopes and Nuclear Techniques.


Food Irradiation
Induction of Beneficial Mutation Through Irradiation for Rice Varietal Improvement
Biological Nitrogen Fixation
Random Monitoring
Environmental Radioactivity Surveillance
Pollution-Related Studies
Radiation Polymerization
Applications of X-Ray Analyses in the Characterization of High Technology Materials
Radiation Exposure Assessment
Radioprotectors/Radiosensitizers
Radiation Studies of Carageenan
Survey for Nuclear & Other Industrial Materials
Siting Study
Cytogenetics Studies
Fruit Fly Control
Agricultural Research
Dairy Cattle Production
Tracer and Sealed Sources Applications
Urban Waste Management
Biological Markers
Radiation Vulcanization of Natural Rubber Latex
Technetium-99m Generator Production
Hepatitis B-Markers
Radiation Sterilization of Amnion Membranes
Red Tide Studies
Hydrogeochemical Process Studies/Environmental Surveillance
AFLP-PCR Molecular Screening
RN52

[death327]

SEAFDEC – AQD

Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines
http://www.seafdec.org.ph/index.html







SEAFDEC/AQD was established in 1973 to conduct research, develop technologies, disseminate information, and train people in the farming of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and seaweeds for food, livelihood, equity, and sustainable development.

The Philippines, as host, provides AQD the physical facilities and the funds for operations and the salaries of researchers, scientists, and service personnel. The Philippine Technical and Administrative Committee (PTAC) for SEAFDEC is a special committee of the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. PTAC oversees the operations of AQD.

AQD works closely with various universities, fishery schools, and government agencies in the Philippines. AQD also has strong linkages with foreign research and academic institutions and international agencies.

SEAFDEC/AQD is mandated to:

Promote and undertake research on aquaculture relevant and appropriate to the region

Encourage human resource development in aquaculture through training and extension

Disseminate and exchange information in aquaculture

With these functions, the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department will implement programs comprising research, training and information dissemination, and technology versification and commercialization activities as approved by the Council of Directors, in order to promote sustainable aquaculture development in Southeast Asia.

Facilities

The Tigbauan Main Station (TMS) is the AQD headquarters situated right on the beach on the south coast of Panay Island, where brackishwater pond aquaculture has historically been a big industry. The 40-hectare complex includes various research laboratories, hatcheries, and broodstock tanks for experiments in artificial propagation, feed development, and health management. TMS also houses the training facilities, library, FishWorld, administration and finance offices, and medical clinic. On-campus housing and cafeteria cater to resident staff, trainees, and guests.






The Binangonan Freshwater Station (BFS) is at Tapao Point along the north shore of Laguna de Bay, the largest freshwater lake in the country. BFS conducts research and training in hatchery and grow-out of tilapia, carps, catfish, and freshwater prawn.







The Dumangas Brackishwater Station (DBS) is located about 50 km east of Iloilo City in west central Philippines. DBS is a 16-ha pond area used for verification and demonstration of various farming technologies. It has field laboratories for routine chemical and microbiological analyses.




The Igang Marine Station (IMS) is situated in a coral reef cove in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island south of Panay. IMS is home to broodstocks of milkfish, grouper, sea bass, snappers, and other fishes in floating cages. In these cages, fishes mature and spawn spontaneously during the normal breeding seasons. It is a demonstration and training facility for the promotion of sustainable cage farming technology for marginal fishers.






AQD also maintains a Manila Office at 17 Times Street, West Triangle, Quezon City.

Biotechnology Laboratory

Molecular Microbiology Laboratory

Develop rapid and sensitive techniques for detection and identification of pathogens of farmed fishes, crustaceans, and mollusks

Establish fish cell lines for use in the diagnosis of viral diseases

Find alternatives to antibiotics

Develop vaccines and immunostimulants against aquatic pathogens

Find microbes for treatment of aquaculture wastewater


Molecular Endocrinology and Genetics Laboratory

Develop strategies to enhance the reproduction and growth of aquaculture species

Examine genetic variation among wild and domesticated stocks of animals and plants in aquaculture

Find molecular markers for parental pedigree analysis to facilitate selective breeding and genetic improvement

Algal Production Laboratory

Develop improved seedstocks of seaweed for the industry

Optimize use of algae for industrial and medical applications

Find algae for pollution control and wastewater treatment


Fish Feed Technology Laboratory

Find alternative protein sources to reduce feed costs

Develop low-pollution or environment-friendly feeds

Improve feed conversion and growth of farmed species

Improve feeds for genetically superior breeds

[death327]

IRRI
Los Banos Laguna


Photo from wikipedia

Based in the Philippines, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the oldest and largest international agricultural research institute in Asia. It is an autonomous, nonprofit rice research and training organization with staff based in 14 countries in Asia and Africa.

Our mission is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable. We work closely with most rice-producing and -consuming countries and their national agricultural research and extension systems as well as farming communities and a range of international, regional, and local organizations. In partnerships with these national systems, we conduct research and provide training and education for those helping rice farmers by disseminating information and proven, sustainable technologies.

IRRI was established in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations in cooperation with the Philippine government. Our headquarters—which feature modern laboratories, training and accommodation facilities, and a 252-hectare experimental farm—lie next to the main campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, about 60 kilometers south of the Philippine capital, Manila.







To know more about IRRI check these websites:

http://www.irri.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna...arch_Institute

[death327]

I cannot find good photos of NEC and MSI in the net. I need to go to UP today to take photos of these centers. Meanwhile:

DNA lab does more than just CSI
by Francezca C. Kwe

For University Research Associate and 2007 Gawad Chanselor para sa Natatanging REPS recipient Gayvelline C. Calacal the big things are the size of molecules. And it is at the microscopic level where she and fellow researchers at the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute in Diliman look to when all else fails.

It is DNA, these coiled helical molecular strands called “the building blocks of life, “which bear the entire genetic information of living organisms, determining cellular processes and to a major degree, individual traits. In the field of forensics, DNA typing is a powerful tool for human identification. The core of the biological sciences, the study of DNA, has been ceaseless for the UP-NSRI DNA Lab since its creation in 1997. Currently headed by Dr. Maria Corazon A. De Ungria, the UP-NSRI DNA lab is now the foremost center for DNA typing research in the country. It is one of the top three facilities for forensic DNA analysis, the two others being run by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. “We do the same procedures as the PNP and NBI labs, but primarily as part of an academic institution, we are mandated to conduct researches, basically, on the application of DNA typing to aid in forensic investigations. The government laboratories, however, handle most of the criminal cases that necessitate the use of DNA typing,” Calacal says. Aside from research, the UP-NSRI DNA lab also offers services for such purposes as parentage testing, sexual assault cases, and identification of human remains for agencies and individual clients.

An MS Microbiology graduate of UP, Calacal has been involved extensively in all the lab’s research projects, notably in research geared toward forensic applications.

DNA is a powerful tool and a highly reliable source of data relevant to criminal cases, so we have to be constantly in-formed about and updated in terms of the technology, says Calacal. Her research is directed toward validating procedures in DNA typing, the process of extracting and analyzing DNA from various biological samples obtained in sources as varied as tissues to bone to old bloodstains.

DNA forensic technology in the Philippines is incorporated into judicial procedures and results admitted as evidence at the level of the Supreme Court. Mindful of the importance of properly collecting and preserving the evidence, the DNA Lab’s team developed a sexual assault kit, which is now being used by the Child Protection Unit-Network in child sexual abuse cases. Moreover, the team set up a system for handling DNA evidence with provisions for proper documentation, custody, and transportation of samples.

One of the most challenging projects for Calacal came in the form of a tragedy—a fire that had gutted an orphanage in Paco and reduced 23 children to cinders. A team of researchers from the UP-NSRI DNA Lab, forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun of the College of Medicine, Dr. Danilo Magtanong of the College of Dentistry, and Dr. Francisco Datar of the Department of Anthropology, collaborated and succeeded in identifying all but two of the victims. “The two unidentified children are of the same gender, were of similar age range and no parents claimed the bodies, so we were not able to differentiate the remains,” Calacal said.

Calacal’s body of work has won a substantial list of awards from scientific institutions such as the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the Philippine Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The University of the Philippines has honored her with five International Publication Awards, and two Gawad Chancelors, one of which was the best paper award.

“The most recent conferment on me of the Gawad Chanselor did intensify my drive to do my best every time,” Calacal confesses. “Even with limited resources, we have to be creative to solve the challenges presented by our work.”

Currently, she is part of the lab’s biggest project—the generation of the Philippine genetic database. The first of its kind in the country, the project aims to build a database of genetic profiles of different population groups. “Through this study, we will hopefully generate data and determine the relationship of the various population groups at the genetic level. Incorporated with other disciplines, this data could expand and enhance our under-standing of our history as a nation.” she says. “Right now we are working on the collection and analysis of samples from our indigenous population and different ethnolinguistic groups. The DNA data-base is also useful in forensics, as an aid to investigation. The DNA generated from the evidence may also tell us the rarity or frequency of a DNA profile in the Philip-pine population,” she says.

With scientific excellence down pat, the UP-NSRI DNA lab still has financial limitations to contend with. “Molecular biology research is very expensive to conduct,” reveals Calacal. “The reagents alone cost a lot not to mention the price of the equipment we need for the analysis. We try to get support from different agencies, like the European Commission, which gave us a grant in 2001. We also get grants from the University, such as for an ongoing project on the validation of procedures in forensic analysis.”

As for extension services, the lab gets a number of requests for paternity testing. “We’ve handled around 30-40 cases a year.” The lab has also had to accede to more unorthodox requests entailing the exhumation of remains for identification purposes.

“We don’t necessarily service high-profile cases. We want everyone to be able to avail themselves of our services, especially the indigents who approach us for help.” But the high cost of lab procedures is inevitably transmitted to clients.

“Our research is also aimed at decreasing costs to make DNA tests available to all without compromising results,” Calacal says. “We are a research lab, so the funds are basically for research work. But ideally, we want our services to be available to those in need. That is why we are also seeking the assistance of other agencies in support of these endeavors. Only then can we truly say that we have put science at the service of society.”

Caption: Research as usual in the UP DNA Lab for Gawad Chancellor awardee Gayvelline Calacal for Natatanging REPS

[ivanc]

lexmark research and dev in cebu

existing facilities:
@ innove it plaza and keppel center:


u/c 8 story lab and 22 story tower, will rise at the back of innove:

(status - lab now on 4th floor, tower will start construction when lab finishes)

[death327]

another Lexmark Facility in Cebu

Photo by Bernie

Originally Posted by berniemacksouthcentr

[diehardbisdak]

in Cebu, there is also NCR's Research & Development ...one of their products is the software for Cash Registers being used in the supermarkets all over the world..

[death327]

NEC
UP-Diliman QC
http://www.engg.upd.edu.ph/nec/index.html

The NEC is the fulfillment of what members of the University of the Philippines-College of Engineering (UP-COE) faculty envisioned in the early 1970s. A center fully dedicated to the provision of research, consultancy and continuing education services in the engineering and allied fields. Created through Presidential Decree 1295 (P.D. 1295) on January 27, 1978, the NEC was a response to the country?s continuing efforts at national development. The NEC was envisioned to help bring about national growth that require progressive and adequate utilization and diffusion of technology, as well as a steady supply of technical manpower with expertise in the various fields of technology and engineering.

P.D. 1295 provided the transfer of five (5) centers from the U.P. COE to the NEC organization. These are: the UP Industrial Research Service Center; the National Hydraulic Research Center (NHRC); the Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (TCAGP); the Transport Training Center (now the National Center for Transportation Studies, NCTS), and; the Building Research Service. The idea was to have a one-stop center where government and industries alike could turn to for solutions to problems in the engineering field. A center separate from the UP-COE was necessary. With the creation of the NEC, the UP-COE was to focus on purely academic functions. The NEC on the other hand, was to cater to the needs of both industry and government agencies.







National Transportation Studies Center