Philippine Genome Center Accelerates Genomics Research through New Bioinformatics Facility

The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) of the University of the Philippines (UP) officially opened its Core Facility for Bioinformatics (CFB) last 14 April 2014. The event was highlighted with the ground-breaking ceremony for the new PGC building at UP Diliman and a scientific symposium. PGC is a multidisciplinary institution that combines basic and applied research for the development of health diagnostics, therapeutics, DNA forensics and preventive products, and improved crop, aquaculture, and animal varieties. The Center was established to facilitate the translation of knowledge in genomics into applications beneficial to society. The CFB aims to provide local scientists and researchers with quality services for genome-scale data generation and analysis.

Complementing the next generation sequencing services offered by its DNA Sequencing Core Facility (DSCF), the CFB showcases high-performance computing resources, hardware and software required in the efficient analysis, management/curation, and archiving of massive amounts of data derived from next generation sequencing. CFB also boasts of custom-made/client-focused services such as the provision of software, specialized databases or technical support for varied bioinformatics analyses, and also the use and access to high-performance computing resources.

The PGC currently has five research programs on health; agriculture, livestock & fisheries; biodiversity; forensics & ethnicity; and ethics, legal and social issues, as well as three core facilities: DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics and biobanking. PGC will soon offer educational workshops, trainings, and seminars in genomics and biotechnology. Collaborations with the academe, government and private institutions with similar thrusts in genomics-based applications such as health and medicine, agriculture, biodiversity and forensics are welcome.

For updates on R&D developments in genomics and biotechnology in the Philippines, visit SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center's website at http://www.bic.searca.org/ or send an e-mail to bic@agri.searca.org.