Two biotech research delve into HIV drug resistance detection and DNA sequencing of population database

Two Biotechnology research studies were presented at the Health Forum on Biotechnology on May 7, 2018 at Tandang Sora Hall, Cebu Normal University in Cebu City.The conduct of the health forum is in celebration of the 3rd Annual Central Visayas Health Research and Innovation Conference with the theme, “Research and Innovations: Linking Theory and Practice.”

The Biotech studies explored on the Detection of the HIV Drug Resistance through Molecular Diagnostics and on the Population Database profiling through the use of DNA Sequencing.

Dr. Edsel Maurice T. Salvaǹa said, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) mutates so fast which needs Genotype Testing to detect its drug resistance. There are 100 subtypes of HIV, and the treatment is only limited, this need “urgent research” to determine the treatment for all subtypes. “HIV intervention is not yet done, we need to pay attention and be vigilant,” Dr. Salvaǹa advised.

To expand the Philippine Population Database the National Science Research Institute – DNA Analysis Laboratory (NSRI-DAL) of the University of the Philippines Diliman utilized the DNA Fragment Analysis Capillary Sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for Forensic Applications. Mr. Tyrll Adolf B. Itong, Science Research Specialists II of NSRI-DAL said,the use of the NGS technology can best establish genetic markers. He recommended to study additional groups for genetic variations.

The four-day conference was spearheaded by the Central Visayas Consortium for Health, Research and Development (CVCHRD) in partnership with Cebu Normal University.