Center for Cellular & Molecular Medical Research

30/10/2025

𝙈𝙈𝙈𝙃𝙈𝘾 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙈𝙎𝙐 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙊𝙈𝙄𝘾𝙎, 𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙣 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨

𝘉𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘤 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘐𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦 | 𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳 30, 2025 - In a forward-looking move toward advancing healthcare innovation, the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC) hosted Dr. Peter James Icalia-Gann, Center Chief of CMED, as guest lecturer in a scientific forum that explored the transformative potential of OMICS technologies in clinical and medical setting. It was well-attended by medical doctors, residents, consultants, specialists, and nursing staff of the hopsital.

Dr. Gann’s lecture, titled “Genomics and Prospects for Health Care Research,” centered on the power of PacBio Sequel II long-read sequencing technology and its application in clinical diagnostics, infectious disease surveillance, and personalized medicine. He highlighted how genomic and transcriptomic analyses can revolutionize patient care through accurate disease profiling and targeted therapeutic interventions.

The event underscored the growing collaboration between MMMHMC and MMSU, particularly through CMED’s laboratories specializing in genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular diagnostics. Dr. Gann emphasized the relevance of CMED’s laboratory capabilities to hospital-based research and clinical applications, envisioning a shared platform for data-driven healthcare solutions in Northern Philippines.

Through this partnership, MMMHMC and MMSU aim to pioneer precision medicine in the region, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where academic research directly supports evidence-based clinical practice.

28/10/2025

28/10/2025

23/10/2025

🎃🧪 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙤𝙠-𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙞𝙧é𝙚! 🧬👻

Join the Center as we mix a little science with a lot of fun at our 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺!

💀 Expect games, snacks, music, and surprises brewing in every corner.
🍹 Sip on crafted drinks, enjoy great company, and dance the night away!
🧛‍♀️ Don’t forget—𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯-𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 attire is encouraged, but simplicity is appreciated 𝘵𝘰𝘰.

📍 3rd Floor, College of Medicine
🗓️ October 29 | 3:00 PM

𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴! 💃

22/10/2025

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | Probiotics study from indigenous food plants bags 3rd place in nat'l research confab

By Stephanie Camille Ilar

A study conducted by researchers of the MMSU Center for Cellular and Molecular Medical Research (CMED) earned third Best Study Award during the 12th PhilProFF Biennial Convention held on October 16-17 at the MMSU Teatro Ilocandia.

Titled “Functional Food and Pharmaceutical Applications of Probiotic Isolates from Indigenous Food Plants in Ilocos Norte Using Genomic Analyses,” said poster research study utilized whole genome sequencing (WGS) for the taxonomic identification, safety profiling, and functional assessment of putative probiotic isolates from indigenous food plants in Ilocos Norte. Results revealed that 𝘓𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘪 and 𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘪 showed potential for functional food and pharmaceutical applications.

Probiotics are known for their health benefits and are important ingredients in functional foods. However, before their use, potential probiotics must be carefully identified and profiled to ensure safety and efficacy. Traditionally, this process involves phenotypic and functional assays that require extensive time and resources. Through WGS, a method that determines complete DNA sequences of an organism’s genome, the researchers were able to evaluate probiotics more efficiently.

Mr. Lemuel Ray Balloyan presented the study during the convention, which he co-authored with other researchers from the center, namely Ms. Suerte Baranda, Mr. Arc Josam Racho, Ms. Jimmbeth Zenila Fabia, Ms. Ma. Joy Theresa Agcaoili, Ms. Marvielyn Olivar, Ms. Grace Sheila Jalani, and Dr. Peter James Gann.

In addition, Ms. Fabia was inducted as a Board Member of the Philippine Society for Probiotics and Functional Foods for 2025–2027. Meanwhile, Dr. Gann, CMED Chief, served as one of the plenary speakers during the convention, attesting to the active engagement and commitment of the center to lead the country in probiotic research.

https://www3.mmsu.edu.ph/article/news/2639/probiotics-study-from-indigenous-food-plants-bags-3rd-place-in-natl-research-confab

22/10/2025

𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙣𝙚-𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙢𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙪𝙗 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 📣

Check out our updated 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 — a quick look at what we offer and how we can collaborate with you. From routine analyses to advanced molecular diagnostics, we’re here to support your research and diagnostic needs.

📩 Message us for inquiries and service bookings!

20/10/2025

𝙄𝙉 𝙋𝙃𝙊𝙏𝙊𝙎 | 𝙊𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧 16, 2025 — The Center for Cellular and Molecular Medical Research (CMED) welcomed the Board Members and Plenary Speakers of the The Philippine Society for Probiotics and Functional Foods, Inc. (PhilProFF) for a laboratory visit and research facility tour.

The delegation was composed of Prof. Dr. Ir. Endang S. Rahayu from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Dr. Valerie Diane Valeriano from the Center for Translational Microbiome Research, Karolinska Institute, Sweden, Dr. Sheryl Lozel B. Arreola from the Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Dr. Francisco Elegado from UPLB, and the University of the Philippines Manila Vice Chancellor for Research, Dr. Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio.

20/10/2025

𝙄𝙉 𝙋𝙃𝙊𝙏𝙊𝙎 | 𝙊𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙗𝙚𝙧 16, 2025 - The Center for Cellular and Molecular Medical Research (CMED), in collaboration with the Indigenous Food Plants and Probiotics Research and College of Medicine, hosted an international scientific lecture, featuring Dr. Tahrir Jatli Alenezi, Associate Professor at the College of Medical Sciences, Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Alenezi presented a talk titled “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘤𝘪𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦,” which explored the molecular mechanisms by which gut microbial metabolism influences the virulence and pathogenicity of 𝘊. 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘴. The lecture highlighted the emerging role of microbiota-mediated bile acid transformations in modulating host–pathogen interactions.

20/10/2025

𝘾𝙈𝙀𝘿 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 12𝙩𝙝 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨 (𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙁𝙁) 𝘽𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
📍 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰 𝘐𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢, 𝘔𝘔𝘚𝘜 | 𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳 16–17, 2025
🎯 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘦: “𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴: 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘚𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴”

The Center for Cellular and Molecular Medical Research (CMED) of Mariano Marcos State University actively took part in the 12th PhilProFF Biennial Convention held on October 16–17, 2025, at Teatro Ilocandia, MMSU. With the theme “𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴: 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘚𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴,” the convention gathered experts, researchers, and industry partners to discuss the latest advances and applications of probiotics in health, nutrition, and food innovation.

Dr. Peter James Gann, Center Chief, served as one of the plenary speakers, delivering a presentation on the 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵-𝘋𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴. His talk emphasized the importance of plant-based probiotic strains as promising agents for health-promoting formulations.

Mr. Lemuel Ray Balloyan, Center's research staff, presented his study titled “𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘐𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦 𝘜𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴.” The paper, co-authored by Suerte M. Baranda, Arc Josam Racho, Jimmbeth Zenila Fabia, Ma. Joy Theresa Agcaoili, Marvielyn Olivar, Grace Sheila Jalani, and Dr. Peter James Gann, earned 3rd Place in the Best Poster Award category during the national conference.

Adding to CMED’s milestones, Ms. Jimmbeth Zenila Fabia, Center's research staff, was inducted as a Board Member of the Philippine Society for Probiotics and Functional Foods (PhilProFF) for Fiscal Years 2025–2027, reflecting the Center’s active engagement and leadership in the national probiotic research community.

CMED continues to advance its research initiatives in plant-derived probiotics, functional food development, and molecular health innovations, aligning with MMSU’s vision of promoting science-based solutions for sustainable health and nutrition.

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: Visit https://web.facebook.com/philproff

20/10/2025

𝙈𝙈𝙎𝙐 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙃𝙀𝘿 𝙄𝙣𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), together with the delegation from Commission on Higher Education (CHED) headed by Commissioner Shirley C. Agrupis, formally inaugurated the Center for Cellular and Molecular Medical Research on October 15, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to advancing biomedical and molecular research in the region.

The establishment of the CMED was officially approved through Board of Regents (BOR) Resolution No. 53, s. 2024, which states: “Resolved, as it is hereby resolved, to approve the establishment of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Medical Research.” This resolution was ratified during the 153rd Regular Meeting of the MMSU Board of Regents held on July 5, 2024.

Following a soft launching in 2024, headed by Dr. Peter James Icalia-Gann, Chief of the Center, the CMED has already made remarkable strides in strengthening research and academic capacity in molecular biosciences. Over the past year, CMED has conducted bi-monthly capacity-building workshops for MMSU students, providing hands-on training in basic molecular biology techniques for microbial genomics. It has also extended its expertise beyond the university, training high school scholars from the Philippine Science High School and offering internship programs to students from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

The Center has served as a research hub for undergraduate and graduate students who wish to conduct their theses within its specialized facilities. Students receive not only access to state-of-the-art molecular biology and microbiology laboratories but also technical guidance from faculty-researchers and research staff affiliated with CMED.

In its continuing mission to promote collaborative innovation, CMED has also forged research linkages with various universities and medical institutions across the country. These partnerships aim to translate molecular-level discoveries into real-world applications in health and biotechnology.

During the inauguration, MMSU officials highlighted the Center’s role as a catalyst for advanced cellular and molecular medical research, positioning MMSU as a regional leader in the life sciences. The event gathered university administrators, partner institutions, faculty researchers, and students — all united in celebrating a vision for a science-driven future.

The inauguration of the CMED signifies a new era of interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific excellence, and innovation at MMSU, empowering the next generation of biomedical scientists to contribute to national and global health advancement.