About CBMSF

Principal Goals

The Center for BioMolecular Science  Foundation was established in May 1996 to promote and contribute to the development of biomolecular science and biotechnology in the Philippines.  Aiming to link-up with local institutions and industry, CBMSF will undertake research and nurture the development and application of basic discoveries to relevant technologies. Realizing that molecular bioscience will play a crucial role in the development of science and technology in the Philippines, CBMSF will also promote public awareness of advances in the biomolecular sciences and technology through educational modules and public information packages.  For its extension work, CBMSF will apply bioscience to harness bioresources in our forest and seas as a tool for helping poor communities.

Projects undertaken by CBMSF

Educational Package: Mobile Biotechnology Demonstration Unit – The project consisted of the design and manning of a roving van as a mobile biotechnology demonstration unit tailored for junior and senior level public high school students. Commissioned by UNILAB the project team headed by FA Carino and LJ Cruz consisted of new graduates of the UPMBB program who designed learning-is-fun sessions, posters and comics on DNA and the fascinating field of modern biotechnology.  The mobile lab was inaugurated with a demonstration done at the Museo Pambata. After a year of manning the Mobile Biotech Demo Unit, the team turned over the project to UNILAB personnel who continued the mission of educating HS students in different parts of Luzon.

Mitoxantrone project – The project involved the synthesis of the anti-cancer drug, mitoxantrone in collaboration with GeneSeas  and PIPAC of Ateneo. The drug was introduced to CBMSF by Dr. CC Chen of the University of Kansas, who originally designed and synthesized the drug.  Due to unavailability of the needed hazardous chemicals in the Philippines, MA Endoma-Arias designed another method for chemical synthesis, which was tried by MLA de Loez in PIPAC. A scientific report of the successful synthesis of mitoxantrone will come out in the Philippine Journal of Science, Vol. 135 in December 2006. The synthesized mitoxantrone was demonstrated to have the same spectral characteristics and activity on a cancer cell line as the commercially available mitoxantrone. Patent for the synthesis method has been filed jointly by Endoma-Arias, GP Concepcion of GeneSeas, CBMSF and  PIPAC.

Testing of Spirulina for Pollution Control in Effluents of Aquaculture Ponds – The project was introduced to CBMSF by E Lincoln^Ŧ of the University of Florida, an expert on Spirulina culture in effluents from animal farms. Headed jointly by PN Talorete and LJ Cruz, the team scaled up Spirulina culture in brackish water up to a pilot raceway that was successfully run in the area kindly provided by  RI Chem of Jasaan, Misamis Oriental for over a year.  Under the project funded by DA-BAR, Spirulina was shown to greatly reduce the nutrients in the effluent water from ponds while providing a high yield of food grade Spirulina.  A manual for growing Spirulina was drafted by PN Talorete. Application of the technology to small scale industry is postponed until PN Talorete returns from his  post-doc training in Japan.

Establishment of a Commercial Bee Culture System for the Aytas of Bataan – Apiculture or bee keeping was introduced to CBMSF by R Tamayo of Tobee's Apiary..  The project funded by DOST for 18 months during which a group of trainees from Kanawan learned the basic skills for honey production using commercial bees, Apis mellifera. Two demonstration apiaries were set up, one in the Bataan Techno Park and another in UP Diliman near UPMSI.  Due to the attack of birds and the remaining colonies in Bataan were transferred to the demo apiary in UP Dilimam and the Good Shepherd Compound in QC.  A series of training in beekeeping were held at UP and GSC for Aytas of Bataan and Zambales. The Apiary in Kanawan will be reestablished in two years after expansion of the apiary to at least 50 colonies so the bees could handle the insect eating birds.

Board of Trustees of the CBMS Foundation:

      Augusto de Leon

Emeterio L. Barcelon                     

Gelia T. Castillo

Gisela P. Concepcion                     

Lourdes J. Cruz

Edgardo D. Gomez

Officers

Chairman:     Augusto de Leon        

President:     Lourdes J. Cruz

Secretary:     Florecita S. de Guzman

Treasurer:     Gisela P. Concepcion

Other members:

         Flerida A. Cariño  

         Nemesio E. Montano

         Angelita G. Reyes

CBMSF was established incorporated in May 1996 and approved as a science foundation by DOST in August 1996.  It has a memorandum of understanding with the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and with the University of the Philippines in Diliman through the Marine Science Institute.