RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

Ongoing Research Projects

Investigating the Epidemiology of XDP

Project Leader: Dr. Ian Tabios
Co-Project Leader: Dr. Eva Maria C. Cutiongco-de la Paz
Duration: 03/2022 to 12/2025
Funding Agency: DOST-PCHRD and CCXDP (USA)

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.

Novel Strategies To Detect Sexually Transmitted Viruses in the Female Genital Tract  (NO STD)
Project Leader: Dr. Ian Tabios
Project Staff: Dr. Sheriah de Paz-Silava, Dr. Ourlad Tantengco
Duration: 10/2024-08/2026
Funding Agency: DOST

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.

Demonstration of water conservancy combined with schistosomiasis control system in the ASEAN
Project Leader: Dr. Ian Tabios
Project Staff: Raffy Fornillos
Duration: 04/2023 to 12/2025
Funding Agency: Asian Cooperation Fund (China)

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.

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: 06/2021 to 12/2024

Funding Agency: WHO WPRO

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An integrative diagnostic approach in detecting human and animal schistosomiasis in situations of varying levels of prevalence in the Philippines
Project Leader: Raffy Fornillos
Co-Investigators: Dr. Ian Tabios, Dr. Ian Fontanilla
Duration: 07/2021 to 12/2024
Funding Agency: WHO TDR

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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
Co-Investigators: Dr. Ian Tabios, Raffy Fornillos
Duration: 06/2021 to 12/2024
Funding Agency: DOST and MOST (China)

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Research Activities

Laboratory Experiments

Punching of blood cards

PCR Reagent preparation

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

Parasitology and Biodiversity


Public Health and Primary Care


Multi-omics in Health Research

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 | Co-Investigator: 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 Leaader: 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