RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

Ongoing Research Projects

Understanding the Epidemiology of a Uniquely Filipino Disease 

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.

This project aims to use randomly selected biobanked de-identified residual dried blood spots (DBS) from the Philippine Newborn Screening Program which will provide a nearly complete representation of the population. An initial 100,000 filter cards will be processed using a rapid-detection assay developed at the Massachusetts General Hospital, which employs semi-automated technology. The output generated from this project may 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. The project also aims to involve and train graduate students in the implementation of the project, to add to the country’s experts in OMIC applications in health research.


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

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

Capacity Building in Molecular Diagnostics

UP Training Assistance Program to DOH and RITM Phase 3 (UP TRAINS 3)
Project Leader: Dr. Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-de la Paz | Co-Project Leader: Dr. Ian Tabios
Duration: 08/15/2022 to 6/15/2023 | Funding Agency: DOH

Novel Tools to Combat Parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases

Development of  Novel Detection Tools for the Integrated Surveillance and Monitoring of Helminthic NTDs of Potential International Spread Between the Philippines and China
Project Leader: Dr. Ian Fontanilla | Project Staff: Dr. Ian Tabios, Raffy Fornillos
Duration: 06/01/2021 to 05/31/2023 | 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 05/01/2023 | 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 12/31/2022 | Funding Agency: WHO TDR

Multi-omics Approach in Health and Wellness

Seroprevalence of Human Adenovirus 5 Neutralizing Antibodies in an Adult Population from Urban Philippines
Project Leader: Dr. Sheriah Laine M. de Paz-Silava | Project Staff: Dr. Ian Tabios
Duration: 02/01/2021 to 12/31/2022 | Funding Agency: DOST-PCHRD

Recent Publications

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).


Institute of Biology, College of Science

University of the Philippines Diliman

You may send your inquiries to pubhealthbio.upd@gmail.com