Faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences, Biological and Physical Sciences Department (BPSD) of the College of Arts and Science in the South La Union Campus have started conducting a research study on Filipino Genomes with University of the Philippines – Diliman. They were chosen as the local partner-collaborators in Region I which was forged through a Memorandum of Agreement on June 3, 2021.

The Filipino Genomes Research Program (FGRP) is an ongoing research program of the DNA Analysis Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman (DAL-NSRI-UPD). It is funded by the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). This genomics research program is nationwide in scope. It covers and represents different Filipino groups (regional center groups and ethnolinguistic groups). The program has for its objective to better understand the origins, prehistory, and adaptations of Filipinos. The researchers believe that a genetic perspective on the Filipino population’s origins, history, and demography will contribute to the identity of Filipinos as a nation rich in culture, diversity, and traditions. The study results are expected to contribute to the body of knowledge in anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, forensics, health, and medicine.

Focused and long-term relations between researchers and stakeholders through an iterative and dynamic process will make the FGRP and its component projects a venue for research work, training, cooperation, partnerships and appreciation of relevant genetics/genomics concepts, research ethics, and the research process. Hence, FGRP will be instrumental in the increase of the scientific workforce, the expansion of research partnerships, capabilities, and the appreciation for human genomics research across the Philippines.

On November 14, 2022, the FGRP team met with the College Dean, Dr. Raquel D. Quiambao, the FGRP-DMMMSU coordinator, Dr. Glennadi R. Rualo, and the BPSD research facilitators for a courtesy call.

Following the courtesy call, the group held a planning meeting to inform the facilitators of what needed to be done during the orientation and sample and data collection. They also paid a courtesy call to the University President at the Central Administration Building in Bacnotan, La Union. The President was represented by Dr. Estrella Perez, VP for Administration.  

As for DMMMSU team of researchers, they have conducted the recruitment process by visiting numerous barangays in San Fernando (i.e., coordinating with the local government units, locating and recruiting qualified potential volunteers, and disseminating information).

Also, they have done the program orientation, informed consent process, and saliva sample and data collection. They have collected from 19 partner-volunteers in San Fernando City, La Union, who are qualified in the following study inclusion criteria: 1) either male or female, 2)18 years of age or older, and 3) born in San Fernando City, La Union.

Additionally, both sets of their parents and grandparents must have been born in San Fernando City, La Union. All male and female individuals should not be biologically related or more distantly related than third-degree relatives. By January 2023, the FGRP-DMMMSU team hopes that by January 2023, they will have collected additional 12 partner-volunteers (including 1 mother-father-child trio) to complete the 31 total number of partner-volunteers 31 from Region I.

DMMMSU and the DAL-NSRI-UPD will work together continuously during the data analysis, research validation, and even beyond the research study.

DAL-NSRI-UPD team is composed of the following:

• FREDERICK C. DELFIN, MSc (Project Leader – Filipino Genomes Research Program/Project Leader – Filipino Genomes: History, Evolution, Origins and Applications (Phase I), DNA Analysis Laboratory- NSRI, University of the Philippines Diliman);

• JAZELYN M. SALVADOR, MSc (Project Leader – Filipino Forensic Genomics (Phase I), DNA Analysis Laboratory- NSRI, University of the Philippines Diliman) ;

• MAYLOWEN P. LUMAYNA (Project Development Officer II, Filipino Genomes: Evolution, Origins, and Applications (Phase I), DNA Analysis Laboratory- NSRI, University of the Philippines Diliman; and

• NORIEL B. ESTEBAN, Science Research Specialist II, Filipino Genomes: Evolution, Origins, and Applications (Phase I), DNA Analysis Laboratory- NSRI, University of the Philippines Diliman.

DMMMSU team, on the other hand, consists of Dr. Glennadi R. Rualo as the Coordinator along with the facilitators namely: Mr. Lemuel Kenneth Aprecio, Dr. Ofelia E. Aspiras, Dr. Ma. Cristina B. Bandarlipe, Dr. Flordiliza B. Dalumay, Ms. Nescy Leann F. Galban, Ms. Jennifer  E. Heruela, Prof. Dan Vergel M. Masiong, Mr. Markdale I. Olarte, Dr. Precelita L. Osillos, Mr. Leomark N. Parocha, Mr. Ronnie B. Ringor, Dr. Mary Corinne R. Selga, Ms. Kimberly Gay Tamayo, Dr. Janice G. Tavara, Dr. John Raymund D. Torres, and Prof. Prescilita M. Villanueva. (by Maria Cristina B. Bandarlipe)