Developmental Toxicity and Signaling Research Laboratory
Overview of Our Laboratory
Our lab focuses on identifying mechanisms that regulate the development of a single cell fertilized cell to a functional multicellular animal. Signaling pathways and cellular events are most active during this stage. Hence, this serves as a perfect platform in identifying how different substances or exposures could affect normal developmental program which will then shed a light on what cellular or molecular mechanism is affected during treatment.
Some of our researches include teratogenic* mechanism, factors that can affect blood vessel and muscle development, and identifying the molecular changes in the tissue. Data from this type of research can identify what can affect the formation of our different organs and how to repair it using its natural developmental program.
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*Teratogens are substances or exposures that results to malformations of the embryo (birth defect)
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Research Interests
What we are doing and what we hope to contribute
Developmental Toxicity
DeToxS laboratory conduct toxicity analysis on different experimental designs to understand the teratogenic mechanism of different exposures, pollution, or chemicals. Some of the animal models we used are mouse, zebrafish, duck embryos, and brine shrimp. We have tested the effects of some commercially available supplements, drugs, and pollutants on mortality and developmental mechsnisms.
Developmental Signaling and Mechanisms for Food Sustainability
This project aims to develop a new way of producing meat from Bangus, Tilapia and Tuna without raising or harvesting the whole fish. Instead, it uses a method called cultured meat, where small samples of fish cells are grown in a controlled laboratory environment to form edible meat.
Cultured meat is part of a growing field known as cellular agriculture, which focuses on producing food directly from cells rather than whole animals. To create this type of meat, scientists grow and guide different kinds of cells so they develop into tissue similar to what we eat.
This project is implemented in collaboration with the National Institute of Physics and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Contact Information
Thanks for your interest in our research. Get in touch with us for consultation, services, questions or comments regarding our work and publications.
Rm. 243 and Rm.261, Institute of Biology
Ma.Regidor St. National Science Complex, University of the Philippines Diliman
