NEW GENOME CENTER. Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales, of the Department of Science and Technology in Region 11 (DOST 11), announces the opening of the PHP120-million Philippine Genome Center Mindanao Sattelite Facility this year, during a press briefing on Wednesday (Oct. 23, 2019). The facility can analyze diseases affecting the agriculture industry, among others. (PNA photo by Digna Banzon)
DAVAO CITY -- The PHP120-million Philippine Genome Center Mindanao Satellite Facility (PGC-MSF) built in this city is expected to be operational within the year.
Dr. Anthony Sales, regional director of the Department of Science and Technology in Region 11 (DOST 11), in a press briefing Wednesday, said that the facility is housed at the UP Mindanao compound in Bago Oshiro's Research, Extension and Development building.
"The fund allocation covers the cost of the building and state-of-the-art equipment," he said.
Sales said the facility will cover research and development and also extends services to prospective clients, with focus on applications for agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
"With Mindanao as the food basket of the country, we want to assess problems affecting agriculture and other related areas particularly on diseases," he said.
He said that using the DNA technology or molecular methods, "we can conduct diagnoses on diseases from the soil, plants, and even in water".
"There will be minimal charges for accessing the laboratory to cover the cost of reagents and maintenance of the facility," he added.
Sales said the genome center would also be particularly useful for banana plantations in Mindanao that are experiencing the dreaded Panama disease or Fusarium wilt.
"It is an advantage because you can focus your preventive measures in a particular location rather than spraying the whole plantation. Other diseases affecting banana farms are Sigatoka and Bunchy Top," he said,
"Identifying the location where the organism is prevalent then you can focus your disinfection on that particular location," he added. (PNA)
