Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory

16/04/2026

📢 PUBLICATION ALERT!

The Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory (PHEIRL) is delighted to share a recent publication entitled “Seasonal variation of /Escherichia coli/-harbored blaTEM, blaCTX-M, and blaSHV genes in selected tributaries of Laguna Lake, Philippines.”

Laguna Lake, the Philippines’ largest lake, is a vital ecological and economic resource; however, it is affected by domestic, industrial, and agricultural wastes. This study addressed the issue of pollution by detecting beta-lactamase (bla) genes, which confer resistance to some of the most commonly used classes of antimicrobials.

The findings revealed varying prevalence of three bla subtypes, with blaTEM being the most frequently detected. Seasonal (dry vs. wet seasons) and site-specific variations in bla gene prevalence were also observed, which may be attributed to differences in anthropogenic activities and water quality parameters.

📄 You may read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2026.237.

Stay tuned for more exciting research from PHEIRL—where interactions spark discovery and collaboration. ✨🧑‍🔬

To stay updated, follow our page (Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory) or visit our website at: https://pheirl.science.upd.edu.ph/.

15/04/2026

Wishing you all the best, Rance Derrick Neri Pavon! Padayon! 💪

Witness the final stage of the search for 2026 NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists on 22 April 2026. Five finalists will present their entry research papers before a distinguished panel of judges to determine this year's winner.

The finalists are:
•Timothy Scott C. Chu, MS Mechanical Engineering and MS Robotics Engineering (De La Salle University)
•Joe Anthony H. Manzano, MS Biology (University of Santo Tomas)
•Ronnel C. Nolos, MS Environmental Science (Marinduque State University)
•John Vincent R. Pleto, MS Environmental Science (University of the Philippines Los Baños)
•Rance Derrick N. Pavon, MS Microbiology (University of the Philippines Diliman)

The NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists is a project of NAST to encourage young people to pursue a career in science. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. The grand prize winner will also receive a PHP 500,000 research grant from the Department of Science and Technology.

14/04/2026

Official photo from the DOST-PCHRD 2026 Capture the Heart in Health Research Photo Contest, where PHEIRL won second place for its entry titled "HeaRT of Resilience" ✨👨‍🔬

[Award received by Mr. Marcus Allan Gil O. So as PHEIRL representative]

10/04/2026

🧬🧑🏻‍🔬 Basic Molecular Biology Workshop Batch 2 - Day 2 Highlights (08 April 2026) ✨

10/04/2026

🧬🧑🏻‍🔬 Basic Molecular Biology Workshop Batch 2 - Day 1 Highlights (07 April 2026) ✨

08/04/2026

In the face of antimicrobial resistance, PHEIRL will never 🐓out! ✨Congrats, /Salmonella/ team!✨

RESEARCH | Salmonella enterica is one of the most common foodborne pathogens worldwide. It is classified into two types: typhoidal, which causes typhoid fever, and non-typhoidal (NTS), which can lead to food poisoning and, in some cases, severe infections. NTS spreads through animals, food, and the environment, with poultry and poultry products being major sources. A growing concern is the emergence of NTS that are resistant to multiple antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.

In this study, we characterized NTS from chicken meat through whole-genome sequencing. Chicken samples, supplied by local farms to slaughterhouses, were collected from public wet markets in Metro Manila.

Our findings revealed that our 95 isolates from the chicken cut samples belong to 15 distinct NTS “strains,” with Salmonella Infantis being the most common. By testing 15 different antibiotic classes, we found that 73.68% of our NTS were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 45.26% were resistant to three or more antibiotic classes. We also identified the genes responsible for these resistance traits. Additionally, we found genes that enhance the ability of NTS to infect humans and animals.

These findings highlight a potential public health risk, as NTS in chicken meat can spread throughout the entire farm-to-fork continuum, from farms to consumers.

Authors: Michael Joseph M. Nagpala (Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman | Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños), Jonah Feliza B. Mora (Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman), Rance Derrick N. Pavon (Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman) and Windell L. Rivera (Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman)

Published in Frontiers in Microbiology

Read more: https://ovpaa.up.edu.ph/research/nearly-50-of-isolates-from-chicken-meat-collected-from-metro-manila-markets-are-resistant-to-three-or-more-types-of-antibiotics/

Image by Julia Filirovska from Pexels

01/04/2026

Please be advised that the Institute of Biology will implement new work arrangements and energy conservation measures starting April 13, 2026. We encourage all students and faculty to carefully review the attached infographic regarding Monday office closures, updated laboratory schedules, and air conditioning guidelines. To avoid any disruptions to your research or coursework, please ensure that all equipment requests, chemical borrowing, and photocopying needs are settled by Friday of the preceding week. We appreciate your cooperation and proactive planning as we work together toward a more energy-efficient campus.

31/03/2026

[Video screen-captured from DOST PCHRD page; Award received by Mr. Marcus Allan Gil O. So as PHEIRL representative]

31/03/2026

📣 PHEIRL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory (PHEIRL) won 2nd place in the DOST PCHRD 2026 Capture the Heart in Health Research Photo Essay Contest titled “HeaRT of Resilience.” The entry highlights the detection of /Leptospira/ in contaminated waters and the development of accessible diagnostic technologies to improve the health and well-being of every Filipino.

The thank everyone for voting and sharing our entry. We hope you will continue supporting our laboratory, where interactions spark discovery and collaboration. ✨🧑🏻‍🔬

19/03/2026

We invite you to attend the upcoming dissertation colloquium of MV Mendoza on 10 April 2026, 2:00 PM at Room 203, Institute of Biology.

See you there! ✨🧑🏻‍🔬

The Institute of Biology cordially invites all interested individuals to attend the Dissertation Colloquium of Marjo V. Mendoza, entitled:

“Understanding Leptospirosis Across the Pathogen–Host–Environment Continuum: An Integrated Molecular Study of Leptospira in Environmental and Clinical Settings.”

The colloquium will be held on 10 April 2026, 2:00 PM, at Room 203, Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman.

All are welcome to attend.

17/03/2026

📢 REGISTRATION IS CLOSED!

Due to the high volume of participants, registration for the two-day workshop on Basic Molecular Biology Techniques to be held on 07–08 April 2026 at the Institute of Biology, UP Diliman is now OFFICIALLY CLOSED.

For those who are planning to pay, please be advised that registration is already closed and we are no longer accepting additional participants at this time.

We would like to thank all registrants and applicants for your interest in this workshop. We look forward to welcoming you to our laboratory and hope for a productive training session where interactions spark discovery and collaboration. 🧑‍🔬✨

See you in Batch 3, maybe?

06/03/2026

📢 WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT

WE HEARD YOU! The Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory (PHEIRL) of the Institute of Biology, College of Science, will offer Batch 2 of its two-day workshop on:

🧬 Basic Molecular Biology Techniques
📆 07–08 April 2026
📍 Institute of Biology, UP Diliman

This hands-on training will cover pipetting techniques, DNA extraction, DNA quantification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE). The workshop is open to students, early-career researchers, and professionals.

Register here:
https://bit.ly/Batch2MolBio
https://bit.ly/Batch2MolBio
https://bit.ly/Batch2MolBio
—or scan the QR code below—

Limited slots are available! The deadline for this registration form is on 18 March 2026 (Wednesday).

We look forward to welcoming you to our laboratory, where interactions spark discovery and collaboration. 🧑‍🔬✨