Insect Vector-Plant-Pathogen Interaction Laboratory

23/07/2026

Insecticides made of RNA could offer a safer and more targeted weapon against crop pests.

Learn more: https://scim.ag/4fMH9Us

15/07/2026

08/07/2026

The 𝐈𝐕𝐏𝐏𝐈 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 proudly congratulates 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 for successfully presenting their study through a poster presentation during the 𝟒𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐏𝐇𝐋), held on 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟖–𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, in 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬.

Presenting collaborative research at one of the country's premier scientific conferences reflects the team's dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering innovation through research.

Congratulations to you and the entire research team on this achievement! ☺️ We look forward to seeing your continued growth and future contributions to science. 🧬🧪

25/06/2026

🎉 NEW RESEARCH PUBLISHED! 🎉

We are thrilled to share that our team’s latest research paper is now officially published in the Philippine Journal of Science (PJS) Vol. 155 No. 3 (June 2026 Issue)!

📝 Title: “Generation of a cDNA-derived Template for De Novo Initiation of RNAi in the Sweetpotato Weevil Cylas formicarius Fabr. (Coleoptera: Brentidae)”

💡 What is this study about?
The sweetpotato weevil is a major threat to Philippine sweetpotato production, and traditional control methods just aren't cutting it anymore.

Our study turns to RNA interference (RNAi)—a cutting-edge genetic technology—to target laccase, a key gene responsible for the weevil's cuticle formation. By studying weevil populations from Tarlac and Calamba, Laguna, our team successfully achieved the first-ever molecular characterization of this vital gene in local populations. This allowed us to design templates for double-stranded RNA synthesis, a critical step toward creating smart, targeted pest control solutions for Filipino farmers! 🍠🌾

This research was made possible through the funding and support of the DOST PCAARRD Crops Research Division.

📖 Read the full open-access article here! https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/generation-of-a-cdna-derived-template-for-de-novo-initiation-of-rnai-in-the-sweetpotato-weevil-cylas-formicarius-fabr-coleoptera-brentidae/

A huge thank you to the PJS Editorial Office for their indispensable role in the local scientific community! 🇵🇭🔬

🔗 Connect with PJS:
Website: https://philjournalsci.dost.gov.ph/
Facebook: Philippine Journal of Science

01/06/2026

The project team proudly participated in the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐀𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 (𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐌𝐒) at 𝐋𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐮𝐳𝐚𝐫, 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐜, 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐚𝐧 last 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟖-𝟐𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, as poster presenters, showcasing the research findings of the project and engaging in meaningful discussions with fellow researchers and professionals.

Representing the team at the conference were 𝐃𝐫. 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐁. 𝐀𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐫, Project Leader, and 𝐌𝐬. 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞, Research Assistant. Their participation provided an excellent opportunity to share the project's accomplishments, gain valuable insights, and foster potential collaborations within the scientific community.

We extend our gratitude to our funding agency, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃), 𝐈𝐕𝐏𝐏𝐈 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐟𝐟, and everyone who continues to support our research endeavors.

21/05/2026

We can!--- in Agriculture.

Under the agreement, SanegeneBio has granted Genentech exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the undisclosed program.

13/05/2026

Well done, 𝗞𝗶𝗺, on successfully defending your thesis, “𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗹 (𝘾𝙮𝙡𝙖𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙪𝙨 𝗙𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟴) (𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮: 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗲) 𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶-𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗥𝗧-𝗣𝗖𝗥)”. Your hard work and perseverance have brought you to this milestone. Congratulations! 🎓✨🥰

13/05/2026

Congratulations, 𝗝𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲, on the successful defense of your thesis, “𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗻-𝟭𝟴 𝗼𝗳 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙨 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗱 (𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮: 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗲), 𝗩𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀”! Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off. Here’s to more milestones ahead! 🎓💐