The Philippine Genome Center Visayas (PGC Visayas) conducted a capacity building workshop on Methods of DNA Barcoding at the Philippine Science High School MIMAROPA Region Campus (PSHS-MRC) last July 15-16, 2022 in Odiongan, Romblon

Nine faculty members from PSHS-MRC participated in the two-day training on molecular biology techniques and genomics which included aspects on DNA Extraction, Gel Electrophoresis, Gel Documentation, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The activity aims to equip the faculty members with basic molecular biology concepts and techniques who are expected to roll out the learnings from the training to their respective students.

PSHS-MRC faculty members who underwent the training were Leogiver G. Mañosca, Dhanna Rose R. Arriola, Peter James Q. Dequiña, Numerico Lloyd F. Fabrigar, Rea Ann F. Faderogaya, Glenn A. Atienza, Jezreel A. Gaa, Krystle Anne F. Emata, and Marie Angelie F. Moreno.

The said training is part of the initiative to operationalize the molecular biology laboratory of PSHS-MRC. Through this, PSHS-MRC is foreseen to engage in DNA barcoding for biodiversity monitoring and natural products research in the coming years. This capacity building workshop was conducted as part of the DOST-funded Program “Enhanced Capability Building in R&D in Genomics: Establishment of Genomics Consortium and Core Facility in Visayas (PGC Visayas)”. The said program is monitored and supported by the DOST Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.

PGC Visayas coordinates with other consortium members in implementing genomics-focused research projects in order to fully realize the objectives set out for the establishment of the center. The PSHS-MRC is one of the first consortium members of the PGC Visayas.