SOXAARRDEC Sponsors Training on Basic Molecular Biology

𝗨𝗦𝗠, 𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗡- The SOCCSKSARGEN Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SOXAARRDEC) sponsored a two-day training on Basic Molecular Biology on September 7 and 9, 2022, at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) Biotechnology Laboratory with its aim to capacitate Consortium Member Institution (CMI) representatives with priority research or with research plans on molecular biology studies.

The activity included practical hands-on training on genomic DNA isolation, gel electrophoresis, DNA amplification using gene-specific, and fundamental data analysis (primer design, and sequence-data analysis) and basic bioinformatics.

Dr. Tamie C. Solpot, head of the Plant Pathology Research Laboratory of USM together with Marry Grace S. Balbuena, head of the Biotechnology Unit in USM served as the resource persons of the training. Dr. Solpot discussed the importance and application of molecular biology in agriculture research. He said that the training is timely since we are already in the time of advances and its appropriate to improve the traditional way of conducting research. He encouraged the participants to craft proposals, look for funding agencies, and have their papers published.

During the closing program, the participants expressed their gratitude to the Consortium for the opportunity given to them. On one hand, Prof. Lea E. Mostrales of Southern Christian College (SCC), said that all the expectations she posted in the pre- knowledge assessment were realized and that she will share the learning to her colleagues in their institution. On the other hand, Prof. Sarip Tarita A. Ali, a faculty from Cotabato State University (CSU), said her concern is the availability of the equipment and facilities in their university and that she is still confident as she has documented the whole process of the training. The other participants of the training were Prof. Joefrey F. Habibun of CFCST, Melesa M. Prado of USM, Rheo Ryan P. Balbuena of DA- PCC at USM, Dr. Jill D. Villanueva of PRRI, and Jamaica L. Delos Reyes of USM.

Marry Grace S. Balbuena expressed her thanks for the active participation of the CMI representatives. She said that the aim of the training is to equip them with basics on Molecular Biology to apply it in conducting research in their respective institutions and that she is glad to sustain and complete the two-day training successfully. Dr. Josephine R. Migalbin, director of SOXAARRDEC emphasized in her closing message, that the training will not end there and that she plans to come up with another project that will be participated by all members of the consortium. She ended the program through awarding of certificates to the resource persons, facilitators, and participants of the training.

The training was the brainchild of Dr. Ma. Teodora N. Cabasan, the former R&D Cluster Coordinator of SOXAARRDEC and the current USM Vice President for Research Development and Extension and was spearheaded by Dr. Jurhamid C. Imlan, the R&D Cluster Coordinator of the Consortium.