RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
Ongoing Research Projects
X-linked Dystonia Parkinsoninsm (XDP): A Uniquely Filipino Disease
Investigating the Epidemiology of X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism (XDP)
Project Leader: Dr. Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-de la Paz | Co-Project Leader: Dr. Ian Tabios
Duration: 03/01/2022 to 02/28/2024 | Funding Agency: DOST-PCHRD
X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP) or Lubag is a debilitatingly severe neurodegenerative disease that affects males with maternal ancestry tracing back to the Panay region of the Philippines. The characterization of the genetic prevalence of the causative gene will provide a better understanding of the burden of disease in the Philippines and help decision makers to determine where investments in health care should be targeted for this uniquely Filipino disease.
We aim to estimate the genetic prevalence of XDP in the Philippines using randomly selected biobanked de-identified residual dried blood spots (DBS) from the Philippine Newborn Screening Program, which provides a nearly complete representation of the population. Our output will serve as reference for further research, clinical guidelines, and public health policymaking. More importantly, a similar workflow for the study of other diseases common to the Filipino population may be developed, tested, and validated in the future. We also involve and train graduate students in the implementation of the project, to add to the country’s experts in OMIC applications in health research.
New Approaches to Combat Parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases
Development of novel detection tools for the integrated surveillance and monitoring of helminthic NTDs of Mutual Public Health Importance in the Philippines and China
Project Leader: Dr. Ian Fontanilla | Project Staff: Dr. Ian Tabios, Raffy Fornillos
Duration: 06/01/2021 to 05/31/2024 | Funding Agency: DOST-MOST
Identification of high-risk areas for Taenia solium active transmission in the Philippines
Project Leader: Dr. Ian Fontanilla | Project Staff: Dr. Ian Tabios, Raffy Fornillos
Duration: 06/01/2021 to 12/31/2023 | Funding Agency: WHO WPRO
An integrative diagnostic approach in detecting human and animal schistosomiasis in situations of varying levels of prevalence in the Philippines
Project Leader: Raffy Fornillos | Project Staff: Dr. Ian Tabios
Duration: 07/01/2021 to 12/31/2023 | Funding Agency: WHO TDR
Construction and demonstration of water conservancy project combined with schistosomiasis control system in the ASEAN
Project Leader: Dr. Ian Tabios | Project Staff: Raffy Fornillos
Duration: 04/01/2023 to 12/31/20235 | Funding Agency: Asian Cooperation Fund
Multi-Omics Approaches in Health Program (MORPH)
Applications of NOvel Strategies To Detect Sexually Transmitted Viruses in the Female Genital Tract
Project Leader: Dr. Ian Tabios | Project Staff: Dr. Sheriah Laine M. de Paz-Silava, Dr. Ourlad Alzeus Tantengco
Duration: 2024-2025 | Funding Agency: DOST
Determinants of acquisition, persistence, and clearance of oncogenic cervical human papillomavirus infection in a cohort of women in rural and urban Philippines using a multi-OMICS approach (DEFEAT HPV)
Project Leader: Dr. Sheriah Laine M. de Paz-Silava | Project Staff: Dr. Ian Tabios
Duration: 02/15/2022 to 02/14/2025 | Funding Agency: DOST
Monitoring drug Efficacy through Multi-Omics Research Initiative in Alzheimer’s Disease (MEMORI-AD)
Project Leader: Dr. Fresthel Monica M. Climacosa | Project Staff: Dr. Ian Tabios
Duration: 02/15/2022 to 02/14/2025 | Funding Agency: DOST
Research Activities
Laboratory Experiments
Punching of blood cards
Reagent preparation in a liquid handler
Realtime PCR assay
Maintenance of snail aquaria
PCR reagent preparation
Training of laboratory analyst
Fieldwork
Public health forum
Malacological survey
Field microscopy
Field interviews
Processing of stool specimens
Animal blood collection
Recent Publications
Francisco AG, Reyes JC, Tabios IK, Cruz CJ, Ang MA, Heralde III FM, Lacuna AR, de Paz-Silava SL. Seroprevalence of human adenovirus type 5 neutralizing antibodies in the Philippines. Plos one. 2023 Dec 1;18(12):e0293046.
Manalo DL, Bolivar JK, Yap PR, Gomez MR, Saldo ZP, Espino MJ, Dilig JE, Fornillos RJ, Perez SA, Baga RA, Sunico LS. From Perpetual Wetness to Soil Chemistry: Enumerating Environmental and Physicochemical Factors Favoring Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi Snail Presence in the Municipality of Gonzaga, Cagayan, Philippines. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2023 Dec 29;9(1):9.
de Paz-Silava SLM, Tabios IKB, Tantengco OAG, Climacosa FMM, Velayo CL, Lintao RCV, Cando LFT, Perias GAS, Idolor MIC, Francisco AG, Catral CDM, Chiong CM, Dalmacio LMM. Determinants of Acquisition, Persistence, and Clearance of Oncogenic Cervical Human Papillomavirus Infection in the Philippines Using a Multi-Omics Approach: DEFEAT HPV Study Protocol. Healthcare. 2023; 11(5):658.
Cando LF, Perias GA, Tantengco OA, Dispo MD, Ceriales JA, Girasol MJ, Leonardo LR, Tabios IK. The Global Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. haematobium in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2022 Nov 4;7(11):354.
Apostol-Nicodemus L, Tabios IKB, Limpoco AGO, Domingo GDP, Tantengco OAG. Psychosocial Distress among Family Members of COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Hospital and Isolation Facilities in the Philippines: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2022 Sep 5;11(17):5236.
Tabios IKB, Sato MO, Tantengco OAG, Fornillos RJC, Kirinoki M, Sato M, Rojo RD, Fontanilla IKC, Chigusa Y, Medina PMB, Kikuchi M, Leonardo LR. Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis japonica patients in the Philippines. Diagnostics. 2022 Aug 5;12(8):1902.
Tabios IKB, Sato MO, Tantengco OAG, Fornillos RJC, Kirinoki M, Sato M, Rojo RD, Fontanilla IKC, Chigusa Y, Medina PMB, Kikuchi M, Leonardo LR. Diagnostic Performance of Parasitological, Immunological, Molecular, and Ultrasonographic Tests in Diagnosing Intestinal Schistosomiasis in Fieldworkers From Endemic Municipalities in the Philippines. Front Immunol. 2022 Jun 14;13:899311.
Lintao RCV, Cando LFT, Perias GAS, Tantengco OAG, Tabios IKB, Velayo CL, de Paz-Silava SLM. Current Status of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Cancer in the Philippines. Front Med. 2022 Jun 20;9:929062.
Cruz TT, Llanes KK, Toledo JM, Catabay JA, Fornillos RJ, Fontanilla IK, Paller VG. Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Ascaridoid Parasites of Philippine Decapterus species. Journal of Nematology. 2022 Feb;54(1).
Fornillos RJ, Que GC, Mendoza RV, Fontanilla IK, Ong PS. Molecular Identification of the Chinese Pond Mussel Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) from Mindoro and Leyte Islands, Philippines. Science Diliman. 2021 Jul 1;33(2).
Completed Research & Extension Projects
Seroprevalence of Human Adenovirus 5 Neutralizing Antibodies in an Adult Population from Urban Philippines: Implications on Adenoviral Vector-Based SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines
Project Leader: Dr. Sheriah Laine M. de Paz-Silava | Project Staff: Dr. Ian Tabios
Duration: 02/01/2021 to 01/31/2023 | Funding Agency: DOST
Demonstrating the Genotyping Applications in Health of Residual Dried Blood Spots (rDBS) Collected by the Philippine Newborn Screening Program using X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism (XDP) as Disease Model
Project Leader: Dr. Ian Tabios | Co-Project Leader: Dr. Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-de la Paz
Duration: 01/1/2023 to 12/31/2023 | Funding Agency: NSRI
Institute of Biology, College of Science
University of the Philippines Diliman
You may send your inquiries to pubhealthbio.upd@gmail.com