#GoingGlobal: Biotech dept welcomes research partners from Japan

The VSU Department of Biotechnology welcomed the research team of Professor Dr. Jiro Nakayama from Kyushu University in Japan who visited the university for their follow-up study under the Asian Microbiome Project (AMP).

Prof. Dr. Nakayama is a lead researcher of AMP which aims to build a comprehensive microbiome database of Asians. This project was initiated in 2009 under the Asian Federation of Societies for Lactic Acid Bacteria to promote the health of Asian people by studying the gut microbiota, or the trillions of microbes living in the human digestive system.

They were welcomed by VSU President Prose Ivy G. Yepes, Ms. Donna Christene Ramos, faculty of the Biotechnology department, Flyndon Mark Dagalea, faculty from the University of Eastern Philippines, and biotechnology students of VSU. 

Part of their goal in visiting the university was to validate findings from previous research and to focus on the current collaborative research project entitled “Effects of a Westernized Diet on the Gut Microbiome, Metatranscriptome, and Metabolome of School-Aged Children in Leyte: A Follow-up Study” that is being conducted. 

This follow-up study addresses significant health concerns related to dietary patterns and their effects on gut microbiota. This is supported by a grant from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, awarded to Prof. Nakayama.

The AMP Consortium now has 19 member institutions from 10 countries including VSU and the University of the Philippines Manila in the Philippines. The National University of Singapore led the AMP, while Kyushu University is the main research institute for gut microbiome analysis.

Prof. Dr. Nakayama was accompanied by Dr. Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio, UP Manila’s Vice Chancellor for Research and the country’s representative to AMP, and Prof. Nakayama’s graduate students from Kyushu University, Ms. Nurlisa Mohd Azmil and Mr. Igawa Takuma.

The team also visited Brgy. Kansungka (Baybay) and Brgy. Cogon (Ormoc), the research project’s study sites here in Leyte, represent the rural and urban areas.

Their visit ran from July 25 to 27 and before leaving, there was a meeting attended by Prof. Dr. Nakayama, Dr. Dalmacio, Dr. Glenn G. Pajares, the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Ma. Theresa P. Loreto, faculty of Biotech, Dr. Ivy Emnace, VSU’s Director for Research, Ms. Ramos, and Mr. Dagalea to discuss the objectives and plans of the AMP and to discuss the potential collaboration between VSU and Kyushu University, and between VSU and University of the Philippines Manila.

According to Prof. Dr. Nakayama, their visit heightens their eagerness to push their research partnership with VSU.

“The visit highly motivated us to continue the research project in collaboration with the wonderful team from VSU and gave me the great opportunity to realize our partnership.”

[With reports from Ms. Donna Christene Ramos]

[This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals: 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).]

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