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Trop. Med., 40 (4), 185-188, December, 1998 185The St. Luke's Research and Biotechnology Division:A Modern Biomedical Research Facility in the Philippines●Filipinas F. NATIVIDADResearch and Biotechnology一> Division St. Luke's Medical Center,Queson City, Phili抄inesINTRODUCTIONPhilippine medical science took a giant step forward with the establishment of theResearch and Biotechnology Division (RED) of St. Luke's Medical Center (SLMC) in July1995. It was a bold and pioneering step that ushered in a new era for SLMC, the mostprogressive private hospital in the Philippines.As the first director of the division, I faced the task of building what is to be the mostmodern biomedical research facility in the whole country. It was not only a herculean task,but an extraordinary one. It was not only building a physical infrastructure. It meant buildinga partnership between basic scientists and clinicians. It meant bringing the promise andchallenge of pioneering biomedical research on a wide variety of medical problems. It meantproviding the proper atmosphere for a new culture of science that would propel St. Luke'sinto the realm of world-class medical centers.Profile of RED Research Staff as of Augus七1998P os ition NumberResearch ScientistsFull Time　　　　　　　　　　　　　　3 (1 Ph.D., 2 MS)Part Time　　　　　　　　　　　　　　6 (5 Ph.D., 1 MS)Adjunct Researchers　　　　　　　　　　　　19 (M.D.'s)Clinical Epidemiologists　　　　　　　　　　　　3 (M.D.'s)Research Fellows　　　　　　　　　　　　　　5 (M.D.'s)ChemistTechnical Assistants　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　14Data AssistantResearch NursesLaboratory TechniciansTrainees186Three years after its inauguration, RED complements the excellent medical setting atSLMC with its advanced laboratories, specialized service facilities, and international linkages.Through its facilities and activities, RED provides opportunities for basic research, hastensthe development of research-oriented physicians, and promotes international partnerships thatwill enhance the medical profession in intangible, yet profound ways. The profile of theresearch staff and a current summary of research areas are shown in the accompanying ta-bles.profile of RED Research ProjectsArea of Research Numbercancer ResearchHematologyObstetrics and Gynecologyclinical EpidemiologyMicrobiologyEmerging and Re-Emerging DiseasesMetabolic ResearchNeuro sci enceGeriatricsEnvironmental Researchcardiac ResearchNutritionPe diatrics 2Advanced LaboratoriesAll research laboratories at RED are fully-equipped for advanced biomedical research.Facilities for DNA isolation and analysis, protein isolation, purification and quantitation, cellculture and cryopreservation, advanced microscopy, darkroom facilities and animal studies,among others, are available for in-house research projects.�"The DNA Laboratory conducts molecular diagnostic protocols, such as RT-PCR ofmarker genes for diseases on clinical samples. The state-of-the-art equipment includean ALF DNA Sequencer, Ecosyn DNA Synthesizer, thermocyclers, several mini-gelelectrophoresis systems, and DNA documentation equipment. Polymerase chain reac-tion is used in research projects on the Dengue virus, the Human Papilloma virus,Hepatitis C Virus, Tuberculosis, and several research projects on cancer.�"The RECOMBINANT DNA LABORATORY applies genetic engineering techniques toproduce bacterial clones containing recombinant genes. The genes are then sequenced187to determine genotypes or to detect presence of mutations.>The PROTEIN LABORATORY employs cutting-edge molecular techniques, such ascolumn chromatography, isoelectric focusing, SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresisand immunoblotting to extract and purify recombinant gene proteins and other geneproducts. Currently, expression studies on the NSI protein of Philippine Dengue 3isolates produced from recombinant plasmids are being undertaken.>The MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY offers services on the culture, isolation,purification and identification of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. It isalso involved in clinical trials that involve culture, identification and sensitivity testingof microorganisms. It has isolated and characterized four Philippine isolates ofHehcobacter f.さyhri from patients with duodenal ulcers. This unit is equipped with a P2biohazard facility for handling pathogenic microorganisms and a P3 lab for the studyon Mycobacteriun tuberculosis.�"Three (3) CELL CULTURE LABORATORIES are fully equipped for basic culturingtechniques and special procedures including cell banking, in vitro research, viruspropagation, cancer studies and other cell biology research. The aseptic environment ismaintained by HEPA filters and an interlocking door system to provide an asepticbarrier for the culture environment. A Class 3 cell culture facility is available for theculture of infectious agents such as virus-producing cell lines, and tissues and cellsinfected with known human pathogens.> The ANIMAL FACILITY maintains experimental animals such as mice, guinea pigs,rabbits, and other medium-sized animals for experimentation as needed. At presentbreeding of Balb/c mice is going on for future work on the production of monoclonalantibodies, and for immunological research. The facility is also equipped with 2 oper-atmg theaters and recovery and quarantine rooms.Specialized Service Facilitieso One of the few laboratories in the Philippines with complete facilities and well-trainedstaff for chromosomal analysis, the CYTOGENETICS LABORATORY promises to beat the forefront of the application of genetics in medical diagnosis. It can perform Gand Q banding as well as high-resolution banding in the identification, screening anddiagnosis of chromosome anomalies. It is both a service lab as well as a research lab.oTo cope with rapid technical advances in the field of medical science, SLMC openedits ELECTRON MICROSCOPE FACILITY in July 1996. A joint undertaking of REDand the Institute of Pathology, the EM Facility is equipped with a JEOL TransmissionElectron Microscope (JEM 1010), an RMC Ultra-microtome, a fully equipped process-mg laboratory, and darkroom facilities. It offers diagnostic services for clinicians aswell as technical services for researchers from academic institutions and industry.'The HPLC ANALYTICAL LABORATORY aims to develop HPLC methodologies forclinical analyses. It performs separation and quantitative determination of drugs andmetabolites in biological samples like blood and urine. Initially, the facility was set up188to provide services for the determination of cyclosporin levels in transplant patients.soon, a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) will be added to its facilitiesfor dangerous drugs analysis.International LinkagesLinkages with foreign medical research institutes have expanded the research orienta-tions of the division. The research staff has availed of training opportunities at LDS Hospitalin Utah, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center in Detroit, Michigan, National Institute ofHealth, Japan, Institute of Tropical Medicine of Nagasaki University, and the Nationalcardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka University. Our international research col-laborations include a clinical study on ovarian cancer with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center inHouston, Texas, and the Dengue Research Project with the WHO Collaborating Center forReference and Research on Tropical Virus Diseases, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in theus. A Cooperative Agreement has been signed with CDC to give assurance for the protectionof human subjects in cooperative protocol research programs. In addition, discussions arecurrently ongoing for a research collaboration with Georgetown University.A New Beginning, A New Partnershipln line with its vision and mission of providing the country the best health care serv-ices, SL Luke's Medical Center opens the doors of its modern research laboratories at RED.Even as SLMC vows to maintain its high standards of health care and efficient hospitalmanagement, it now aspires to be a unique medical institution by being more than just a firstclass hospital. In partnership with Filipino and international scientists, SLMC brings thepromise and challenge of pioneering biomedical research on a wide variety of medicalproblems. Its research laboratories have been organized and geared toward world-class status,with the capability to conduct biomedical researches that are relevant as well as sociallyresponsive.Envisioning itself as a catalyst or prime mover in research, SLMC welcomes local andforeign researches to avail of its modern research facilities and scholarly ambience in col-laborating with its research staff. To complement studies made by Philippine-based researchinstitutions, SLMC aims to produce scientific articles worthy of international publications.SLMC offers its willing partners the opportunities to do research. All these are山imately inkeeping with the RED vision ``to promote the conduct of high quality biomedical researchthat will propel St. Luke's Medical Center to the realm of world class excellence in totalhealth care '.

The St. Luke\u27s Research and Biotechnology Division : A Modern Biomedical Research Facility in the Philippines

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The St. Luke\u27s Research and Biotechnology Division : A Modern Biomedical Research Facility in the Philippines

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