Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology

In September 29, 1994, the UP Board of Regents created the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the National Institutes of Health with its aim of promoting and implementing researches focusing on the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases that pose as major threats and primary causes of mortality in the Philippines.

In February 2, 1995, then President Fidel Ramos issued Proclamation no. 526 constituting the various biotechnology institutes within the University of the Philippines System as the network of the national institutes of biotechnology, and designating said network as a National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. In September 3, 1998, then University of the Philippines President Emil Q. Javier issued an executive order 98-1 providing for the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the network of the National Institutes of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH).

With strong support from the University of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology, today Biotech-Manila is re-invigorating its efforts in advancing medical and health-related biotechnology researches focusing on the top 10 causes of morbidity and mortality in the country. Biotech-Manila aims to transform basic science into translational and applied science that could be readily utilized to give solutions to the most pressing problems that we encounter everyday by forging partnerships with health institutions and bio-industries, local and international.

Objectives:

Biotech-Manila aims to transform basic science into translational and applied science that could be readily utilized to give solutions to the most pressing problems that we encounter everyday by forging partnerships with health institutions and bio-industries, local and international.

Research Programs:

1. Molecular Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: The Biotek-M Projects.
2. Human Microbiome and Chronic Diseases.
3. Biosurveillance.
4. Molecular Biobanking Program.

Research Projects:

- Ongoing:

1. Dengue: Climate, Evolution and Transmission (DenCET)
2. Prevalence of Parasitic Infection and Colonization in HIV – Infected Persons at the Philippine General Hospital
3. Prevalence of HIV Infection Among At Risk Populations at the Philippine General Hospital
4. Improved Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Antibody-coated Magnetic Nanoparticles from Respiratory Samples

- New (2013-2014):

1. Regional Roll-out of Biotek-M Aqua-Kit (Liquid Format)
2. The Clinical Utility of BIOTEK-M in the Diagnosis and Serotyping of Dengue Virus Infections in the Philippines
3. Product Development of Biotek-M SECO Kit (Lyophilized Format)
4. Prelimenary Study on the Clinical Utility of PCR for Tuberculosis from Semen Samples as Pre-Operative Screening for Tuberculosis Orchitis Among Patients Clinically Diagnosed with Testicular Tumor
5. The Changing Epidemiology of the HIV-Positive Patient before and after Accessible Anti-retroviral therapy: Areas for intervention in the time of a national epidemic

Extension Services:

1. G6PD Confirmatory Test
2. HBV Testing
3. HCV Testing
4. CMV Testing
5. HSV Testing
6. Molecular Diagnostic Tests

Intramural Collaborations (within UPM)

Existing:

Institute of Human Genetics, NIH

(Research Collaboration)

Local Collaborations (MOA, MOU)

Existing:

The Medical City

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

(Research Collaboration)

New (2011-2012):

National Children’s Hospital

(Research Collaboration)

International Collaborations (MOA, MOU)

Existing:

University of Pittsburgh

University of Virginia

(Research Collaboration)

New (2011-2012):

Rheinische Akademie Koln

(Research Collaboration)