RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

Rationale: 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.

Objectives: 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. 

Expected Output: Our study 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.

Rationale: The gold standard in the diagnosis of genital HPV and HSV-2 infections is the PCR-based detection of viral nucleic acid from physician-collected genital swabs. Although highly accurate, this method involves an invasive and highly uncomfortable sample collection, which has been shown to negatively impact testing uptake.

Objectives: We aim to determine the diagnostic accuracy of molecular testing using self-collected specimens compared to the use of physician-collected genital swabs as reference standard. 

Expected Output: This project will provide a simplified testing workflow for HPV and HSV-2 that can be easily deployed in public health surveys, even in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) where access to physicians and cold chain support are limited.

Rationale: Irrigation canals in schistosomiasis endemic areas can habor the snail intermediate host. This is a potential source of contaminated water that can infect nearby farming communities.

Objectives: We aim to demonstrate the short-term impact of water conservancy projects to the distribution of snails .

Expected Output: This project will provide evidence on the potential impact of water conservancy projects to disease transmission in highly endemic villages.

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