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phytoplankton photos by: Joshua Allen Canlas
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SUSTAIN
The SUSTAIN Project aims to assess current and emerging marine toxin threats to coastal ecosystems and human health in the Philippines. The project investigates the prevalence of both common and emerging toxins, including paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) and amnesic shellfish toxins (ASTs), in selected coastal and mariculture areas. A key component is the Biotoxin Adsorption Tracking Technique (BATT), a passive sampling approach developed to continuously capture and track dissolved marine biotoxins in the environment, providing a practical and cost-effective tool for toxin monitoring. The project also supports community-based harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring, with the laboratory working alongside local communities, private organizations, and government agencies through training, workshops, and collaborative field monitoring. By combining scientific research, innovative monitoring approaches, and community participation, SUSTAIN seeks to establish updated information on emerging marine toxins across different areas in the Philippines, strengthen technical capacity for toxin monitoring, and contribute to healthier, safer, and more resilient coastal communities.
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TAMMILOC (Phase 1)
TAMMILOC Phase 1 explores the biodiversity of shipworms and their associated microbial symbionts across different marine and freshwater habitats in the Philippines. Shipworms depend on these microbial partners for their survival, and their unique host-associated environments may drive the production of diverse and potent natural compounds with potential biomedical applications. The project investigates the diversity of shipworms and their microbial communities through culture-dependent, culture-independent, and advanced omics approaches, while examining the chemical diversity and bioactivity of cultivable microbial symbionts. By exploring these largely untapped microbial resources, TAMMILOC Phase 1 aims to identify promising bioactive compounds and microbial candidates that may contribute to the development of novel approaches for combating microbial infections.
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shipworm photos by: Jaryl Joy Sarker
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TAMMILOC (Phase 2)
Building on the findings of TAMMILOC (Phase 1) Project, NAIBACA TAMMILOC explores Philippine shipworms as a potential sustainable protein source and a promising source of bioactive compounds. Despite their nutritional and cultural importance in local communities, many Philippine shipworm species remain largely unexplored for their nutritional value and biomedical potential. The project evaluates the nutritional content and bioactivity of different shipworm species, investigates bioactive small molecules from their microbial symbionts, and documents local ecological knowledge, including traditional uses and applications of shipworms. By integrating nutritional, biomedical, and anthropological perspectives, the project aims to further uncover the potential of Philippine shipworms and their associated microbes as valuable resources for food security, natural product discovery, and novel strategies against microbial infections.
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ChemBio-Seaweeds
This project explores the chemical diversity of Philippine seaweeds, with a focus on Gelidiella acerosa. It investigates how the seaweed’s secondary metabolites vary across locations and seasons, identifies the compounds present in its extracts, and evaluates their potential biological activities through neuroactivity and cytotoxicity assays. The project will provide essential information to support the sustainable utilization of Philippine seaweeds while establishing a foundation for future monitoring of their chemical profiles and potential bioactive or toxic effects.
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cyanobacterial culture photos by: Mikee Angela Mongas
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Biosynthetic Potential of Philippine seaweeds and Potential Spatiotemporal Variation in their Chemistry
This project explores the biosynthetic potential of commercially important Philippine seaweeds, particularly Kappaphycus spp. and Eucheuma denticulatum, and how their chemical composition may vary across different conditions. Seaweeds produce diverse metabolites that can be influenced by factors such as disease, location, season, and interactions with their associated microbiome. By examining the chemical diversity and bioactivity of seaweed extracts and monitoring changes in their metabolites through chemical analyses, the project aims to better understand how environmental and biological factors shape seaweed chemistry. These insights may contribute to the discovery of new bioactive compounds and potential applications of Philippine seaweed resources.
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