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

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