Integrated Protein R&D Center

💪💪 IPRDC is proud to become a part of the 51st Philippine Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB) Annual Convention, held on November 26-28, at Marison Hotel, Legazpi City, Albay. Scientists, researchers, educators, and students gathered to share ideas, learnings, and innovations in biochemistry and molecular biology, showcasing an incredible journey of innovation, discovery and collaboration towards empowering biotechnology. 🧫

🤝 In partnership with the Protein, Proteomics, and Metabolomics Facility (PPMF) of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), the IPRDC Biochemistry arm delivered a poster presentation titled “𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺-𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘖𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘝𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘋𝘕𝘈 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘺𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘦”. This research work marks the beginning of a series of collaborations between PGC-PPMF and ADMU IPRDC Biochemistry and highlights the local production of a recombinant DNA polymerase with performance and stability comparable to commercially available enzymes, providing a framework in which future projects can build on. 🧬🧬

📣📣 One of the more vital yet overlooked parts of empowering biotechnology research is fostering communication between its different disciplines. 🔙 Last October 10, the IPRDC hosted a fascinating lecture at the crux of immunology, mechanobiology, and biophysics and showed how these seemingly disparate fields of study work together at the cellular level.

Dr. Miguel de Jesus is a recent graduate of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , receiving his Ph. D. in Immunology earlier in 2024. He performed his doctoral research at the laboratory of Dr. Morgan Huse, Ph. D., studying the biomechanical activity of immune cells. Through super-resolution traction force microscopy of single cells, their work revealed that, apart from biochemical signaling, T cells apply specialized patterns of force on their targets as a key part of the immune response.

𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒-𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑒 𝑠𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑥𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 - https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.adj2898

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We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Biology for their help organizing, and special thanks to our colleagues and junior researchers for spending time with us during this talk.

🎉🎉 We're excited to spotlight IPRDC's resident Balik Scientist, ARISE Research Fellow and IPRDC Materials Technical Lead Ricardo Guerrero, Ph.D. for being part of these initiatives to push and empower biotechnology across multiple channels! ✨✨

𝟭𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸-𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
An event hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last October 25, 2024, with the theme "𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: 𝘈 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘬 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴". The convention celebrates the experts from various fields such as agriculture, aquatic and natural resources, health and nutrition, industry, energy, and emerging technology, that are engaged under the Balik-Scientist Program.

ℹ️𝘍𝘈𝘊𝘌𝘉𝘖𝘖𝘒 𝘓𝘐𝘕𝘒:
https://www.facebook.com/balikscientist/posts/pfbid02ftKpFcWtsu9FNrVNgtftdP8gps4zSTJt46RZPDRrCeS74izpnCXrftRc8A8swKYUl?rdid=DOsWdZZHBtEfETGJ

𝗜𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴!
A podcast that talks to innovators and their creative processes. A collab project between AIPO, Arete, and Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication.

▶️ 𝘠𝘖𝘜𝘛𝘜𝘉𝘌 𝘓𝘐𝘕𝘒:
https://youtu.be/cl7nmGo3LX0?si=rXDPQLh_RzwlWsyV

🎶 𝘚𝘗𝘖𝘛𝘐𝘍𝘠 𝘓𝘐𝘕𝘒 :
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7o2LyTvWlCsL3fgBRBwu5L?si=373746ed3bbc4cf8

𝗞𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘆!
A Net25 Program interview last Nov. 5, 2024, a radio and online platform talk show on anything health, family, and society.

▶️ 𝘠𝘖𝘜𝘛𝘜𝘉𝘌 𝘓𝘐𝘕𝘒:
https://www.youtube.com/live/uSp4-7Io6rU?si=mvm14NTn-wGeneBG&t=5081

Episode 9: UnSilo Labs and Biomedical Devices with Ricardo Jose S. Guerrero, Ph.D. "We want to ensure that what we do is helpful and effective, and you can't do that by just being engineers."⁣Dr. Ricky Guerrero shares how his collaborations...

✨️✨️ Congratulations to our very own program leader, Crisanto M. Lopez, Dr. rer. nat, of the IPRDC for being selected as an exchange grantee for the AY 2024-2025 Fulbright U.S. - ASEAN Visiting Program Initiative! 🎉🎉

🥼 Dr. Lopez will be doing exciting work at the University of Washington. 🦠 As the IPRDC Biochemistry Project Leader, his expertise and research focus include microbiology, particularly in the surveillance of enteric viruses in food, water, and the environment. 🔬

🌟 The IPRDC team is proud of this achievement and his continuing efforts to empower biotechnology. 🧪

🎉🎉Huge congratulations to the engineering arm of the IPRDC for delivering an outstanding poster presentation during the 15th National / 7th International Annual Scientific Meeting of the Philippine Society for Cell Biology (PSCB) last October 24-25 at the De La Salle University!

Ms. Alexandra Melise Hulog & Mr. Miguel Francisco Jose Ordoñez shared their work titled "𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝙀. 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙞 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀." Their work highlighted an application of the platform technologies currently being developed in the program.

We'd also like to extend a big shoutout to Mr. John Moises Relles of the biology arm for also presenting research from Ateneo's biology department titled "𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗲 (𝗘𝗦𝗧𝟮) 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗔𝗣𝟭/𝗚𝗖𝗥𝟭-𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗦𝗧𝟮 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻".

Congratulations are due to the whole group of researchers:
[𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝗺] Dr. Ricardo Jose Guerrero, Mr. Noel Oquendo, and Ms. Mariane Desiree Avendaño, working with Ms. Hulog and Mr. Ordoñez.
[𝗔𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗼 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] Dr. Vivian Panes, Mr. Edgar Daniel Dela Peña, Mr. Jhon Fhelip Dela Peña, and Mr. Genesis Dela Peña, working with Mr. Relles.

Your knowledge and passion for research were on full display, and you represented us all so well. Keep shining! ✨✨

🚀🚀What an incredible past month for the IPRDC! The IPRDC was part of the featured exhibitors for this year's 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 (RSTW) under DOST- National Capital Region. The three-day event allowed the public, including a large number of high school and college students to learn and engage with what the program has been doing the past two years.

🌟Officials from both DOST and the local city governments were also present. 🔥We've been busy showcasing our latest research, learning from fellow researchers, and engaging with scientists who share our passion for Empowering Biotechnology! Every session, every discussion, every discovery makes us even more excited for what's to come! 🔬


Eager to learn more about what we've been doing? Stay tuned as we post more about what we've been up to in the next few weeks.

🎉🎉🎉 What a phenomenal conclusion to the 85th Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) National Convention this 11-14 September 2024 at the Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City, Philippines!

✨We're thrilled to announce that Engr. Ryan Christian Suplito of the IPRDC won 🥇 the Best Thematic Speaker Award 🥇 for the Thematic Session "Process, Safety, and Entrepreneurship" with his exceptional presentation on the "Assessment of Selected Industrial Byproducts as Alternative Nutrient Source for Genetically Engineered Escherichia coli"!

🤝 The convention, with the theme "USWAG ChE! Strengthening the Profession through Collaborative & Holistic Engagement" was also a great venue for building meaningful networks. Here's to empowering our nation's biotechnology scene! 💪

🥂 Congratulations to Engr. Ryan Christian Suplito, and his dedicated IPRDC colleagues and co-authors Mr. Luke Samuel P. Bacal, Dr. Edjohn Aaron B. Macauyag, Dr. Arni E. Gambe-Gilbuena, and Dr. Rhea G. Abisado-Duque! 👩‍🔬

🫶 We also would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST Philippines), the DOST PCHRD, and the Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering- ARISE for supporting our work. 🫶

[EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY]
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One (1) full-time Project Technical Assistant IV (SG 13) | Contract of Service (Project Ongoing)

Project Name: Establishing The Integrated Protein Research and Development Center (IPRDC): A Biotechnology Facility for Health - Project 2 Scaling Up and Optimization of Protein Production

Implementing Agency: Department of Biology, Ateneo de Manila University

Are you a passionate and driven individual with a strong foundation in microbiology🦠, molecular biology🧬, or related fields🔬🧫⚙️? We are seeking a talented Project Technical Assistant IV to join our team at the Integrated Protein Research and Development Center (IPRDC) Project 2 Scaling Up and Optimization of Protein Production.


As a Project Technical Assistant IV, you will play a crucial role in scaling up and optimizing protein production processes. You will contribute to the development of cutting-edge biotechnology solutions for improving human health. This is an excellent opportunity for fresh graduates and early career professionals to gain valuable experience in a dynamic research environment.
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JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Together with the team, develop and fine tune experimental protocols for protein expression of the IPRDC key enzymes
- Prepare and maintain the stock culture of E. coli strains
- Conduct laboratory experiments/analyses as required by the project within the prescribed timeline
- Assist in project-related administrative requirements
- Coordinate with and assist the Chemical/Fermenter Engineer in activities related to the assessment of the 50-L PIPAC bioreactor
- Assist in technical and administrative progress reports
- Assist in the preparation of scientific manuscripts for publication
- Other tasks and assignments related to the program/project may be assigned.
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QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Degree holder in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biology major in Microbiology or Molecular Biology, Bioprocessing, Chemical Engineering, or Biotechnology.
- Master’s degree in a related field is preferable but not required.
- Laboratory safety training is preferable but not required

Open to all fresh graduates and early career professionals (with less than two years of working experience)
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If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your CV and letter of intent Dr. Rhea G. Abisado-Duque ([email protected]) with a copy to Engr. Ryan Christian Suplito ([email protected]).

Use the subject line "IPDRC P2 PTA IV Application."

Deadline for submission of the application is on August 15, 2024.

🧪✨Just wrapped up an amazing 38th Philippine Chemistry Congress (38PCC) and 2024 International Conference on Chemistry (IC2) last July 22-24,2024 (www.kkp.org.ph/38pcc) with stellar presentations from the engineering arm of the Integrated Protein R&D Center! Our members delivered compelling oral and poster presentations that were well-received by an enthusiastic audience of peers and experts.

Oral Presentations (23 July 2024)
C-01
Letting Innovation Flow: enabling wider access to microfluidics research through subtractive manufacturing of lab-on-a-chip devices
Presenting Author: Mr. Miguel Francisco Jose P. Ordoñez

C-02
Optimization of a microfluidic flow-focusing droplet generation method for the production of cross-linked chitosan biopolymer microbeads
Presenting Author: Ms. Alexandra Melise D. Hulog

D-015
Bacterial Odyssey: A Journey of Building an Open-Source Bioreactor for Recombinant Protein Production
Presenting Author: Mr. John Daniel J. Magsalin

Poster Presentations (22-24 July 2024)
B1-P122
NTA-Functionalized Chitosan Microbeads: Comparison of Preparation Methods and Application for Histidine-tagged Protein Extraction
Presenting Author: Mr. Jude M. Reyes

🤝🌐The congress also opened doors to forging exciting new partnerships and exploring collaborative opportunities. We’re excited to build on these connections, foster meaningful networks, and continue pushing the boundaries of science together. Here’s to a future full of innovation and growth!

🎉🥂We congratulate the Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas, Inc. – KKP and with the Integrated Chemists of the Philippines - Southern Mindanao Chapter, Inc. and the Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies for organizing the conference in SMX Lanang, Davao City, Philippines with almost 1700+ participants. We also thank the Department of Science and Technology (DOST Philippines), the DOST PCHRD, and the Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering- ARISE for supporting our work.

Last photo courtesy of Kapisanang Kimika ng Pilipinas Inc.:
https://www.facebook.com/kkp.org.ph

Integrated Chemists of the Philippines - Southern Chapter:
https://www.facebook.com/icpsomin
Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies:
https://www.facebook.com/pfcs.org.ph
Davao Medical School Foundation Inc. (DMSFI) Center for Research and Development:
https://www.facebook.com/dmsfiCRD

The engineering arm of the IPRDC recently visited the research facilities of Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.

The visit included sharing of ideas and exciting potential collaborations between research groups.

We're grateful for Dr. Genevieve Dable-Tupas (Director, Center for Research and Development), Dr. Christian Adam Espiritu, and Ms. Cyrell Anne Solonia of DMSFI's hospitality, and we're looking forward to fruitful networks and a more empowered research scene in the Philippines.

DMSFI Center for Research and Development Page:
https://www.facebook.com/dmsfiCRD

𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙞𝙣: 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙞 🥺👉👈

How do we get to isolate and choose specific proteins? 🤔

🔬🍬 Imagine you have a big bowl of assorted candies, but you only want the orange ones without touching the others. Scientists have a similar problem in obtaining a specific protein from a complex mixture.

𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝘆 (𝗙𝗣𝗟𝗖) aids in isolating through using resin beads that will form a bond with your target protein. Compared to other methods, FPLC operates on lower pressure which allows your target proteins to be intact and thus functional. ✨

Moreover, it is the ÄKTA system that allows the process of FPLC to run more efficiently through balancing the 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 and 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙞𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣👌

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲 is used to tag your target protein and bind to a specific resin called 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗹-𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗱 (𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗹-𝗡𝗧𝗔). This interaction between the Polyhistidine tags (His-tags) and Nickel-NTA resin allows your tagged target protein to be selectively captured.

The process allows us to get the target protein we need in various fields, such as biotechnology and diagnostics!

Caption by Grace Espino
Pubmat by Valerie Palomo