PH Genome Center seeks P100M to expand capacity in VisMin

August 1 ------ The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) said it needs at least P100 million to expand its genome sequencing capacity in Visayas and Mindanao. “Itong ating prinopose ngayon ay para magkaroon ng genomic sequencing sa ating ibang regions,” said PGC Director Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-Dela Paz in an interview over ABS-CBN Teleradyo. At present, the PGC is doing the genomic sequencing of specimens of selected COVID-19 patients at its laboratory in Manila, said Cutiongco-Dela Paz.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pagkapacitate natin ng ating PGC Visayas at Mindanao, matutulungan na sa regions doon na mangyari yung sequencing,” she said. Cutiongco-Dela Paz said that the funds would be used to purchase the needed equipment such as reagents and kits and the hiring of additional manpower.

“Marami pong components ang budget hindi lang naman equipment. Malaking parte ay yung supplies—–reagents na lahat ay kinukuha pa natin sa ibang bansa. Ikalawa, kailangan natin ng mga well-trained manpower para mapatakbo iyang sequencing” she said. “Yung sequencing maraming datos na lumalabas dyan, so very important din yung ating highly-skilled bioinformaticians. Sila po yung nag-aanalyze ng sequences para malaman natin kung anong variant ang nakita sa isang sample,” she added.

Source: mb.com.ph