The Plant Molecular Biology and Genetics Laboratory (formerly called the Plant Genetics and Cyanobacterial Biotechnology Laboratory) focuses on the use of molecular and morphological markers in plants to study traits of agronomic and taxonomic importance, as well as the use of cyanobacteria for biotechnological applications.
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Ernelea P. Cao, Ph.D. (Lab Head) Professor 12, UP Scientist I Ph.D. Genetics Plant Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology |
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Daisy May C. Santos, Ph.D. (Co-Lab Head) Assistant Professor 5 Ph.D. Biology Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology |
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Nick Rainier S. Santos Instructor 7 M.S. Biology |
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Alysa G. Estopace, M.Sc. Instructor 7 M.S. Microbiology Plant Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology |
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Libertine Rose S. Sanchez, Ph.D. Post-Doc Ph.D. Biology |
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Angelo Joshua A. Victoria, M.Sc. Senior Lecturer 2 M.S. Biology |
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Miguel V. Mondragon, M.Sc. Research Associate M.S. Biology |
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Monaliza B. Magat, M.Sc. Science Research Specialist II |
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Terrence Ferdinand S. Nagaño Science Research Specialist II |
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Danica Pearl M. Untiveros, M.Sc. University Research Associate II |
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Cristine Joy S. Alcachupas Project Assistant I |
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Jomari P. Urmatan Laboratory Aide |
M.S. Biology
Cris Francis B. Barbosa
M.S. Microbiology
Ellaine M. Romines
Danica Pearl M. Untiveros
Marione Mae A. Enriquez
Cyanobacterial Culture Setup
Cyanobacterial Culture Setup
Laminar Flow Hood
Work Benches
Development of a Detection System for Pest and Disease Resistance in Philippine Coffee Varieties (DOST - PCAARRD)
Project Leader: Dr. Ernelea P. Cao
Whole Genome Sequencing of Selected Local Cyanobacterial Isolates for Mining of Genes for the Production of Bioactive Metabolites (UP OVPAA - EIDR)
Project Leader: Dr. Ernelea P. Cao
Co-Project Leader: Dr. Libertine Rose S. Sanchez
Characterization of N-methyltransferase Gene in Coffea liberica var. liberica (UP NSRI)
Project Leader: Dr. Daisy May C. Santos
Field Sampling
Field Sampling
Field Sampling
Field Sampling
Field Sampling
Nagaño, T.F.S., Santos, N.R.S, Santos, D.M.C., and Cao, E.P. 2022. In silico physical mapping of resistance and resistance-associated genes in the SH3 region of the Coffea canephora genome. Philippine Journal of Science, 151(1), 107-126.
Mondragon, M.V. and Santos, D.M.C. 2021. Sequence analysis of select terpene synthase genes in Philippine coffee. Philippine Journal of Science. 150(6A): 1549-1571.
Yu, P.L.A., Santos, N.R.S., Santos, D.M.C., and Cao, E.P. 2021. Bioinformatics survey for candidate resistance genes in the Coffea canephora Ck-1 gene region. Science & Engineering Journal, 14(2): 226-234.
Cao, E.P. 2021. Future of jobs and futures thinking in the time of COVID-19 and beyond. Diliman Review, 65 (1): 102-110.
Damatac II, A.M. and E.P. Cao. 2021. Identification and diversity assessment of cyanobacterial communities from some mine tailing sites in Benguet Province, Philippines using isolation-dependent and isolation-independent methods. Environment, Development and Sustainability https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01489-8
Sanchez, L.R.S. and E.P. Cao. 2020. Metagenomic analysis using k-mer-based tools reveal cyanobacteria and heavy metal response genes in a copper mining site in Benguet Province, Philippines. BMC Bioinformatics, 21 (Suppl 20): O11.
Cao, E.P., A.G. Estopace, C.A.T. Diaz and R.M. Mojica. 2020. Comparative analysis of the antioxidant activities of leaf extracts from two varieties of Coffea liberica Bull. ex Hiern. Philippine Coffee Journal, 1 (Maiden Issue): 1-13.
Santos, D.M.C. and E.P. Cao. 2020. SSR analysis of Coffea liberica var. Liberica and Coffea liberica var. Dewevrei in the Philippines. Philippine Agricultural Scientist, 103 (4): 357-361.
Estopace A.G. and E.P. Cao. 2020. Endophytic bacteria associated with healthy and rust-infected Coffea arabica L. leaves. Philippine Science Letters, 13 (01): 11-27. Special Issue on Microbiology.
Santos, D.M.C, A.J.A. Victoria, C.F.F. Besa and E.P. Cao. 2019. Genome-wide profiling and characterization of terpene synthase-linked simple sequence repeats in Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner for identification of potential markers for aroma in Philippine-grown coffee varieties. Philippine Journal of Science 148 (S1): 267-273. Special Issue on Genomics.
Sanchez, L.R.S. and E.P. Cao. 2019. Metagenomic analysis reveals the presence of heavy metal response genes from cyanobacteria thriving in Balatoc Mines, Benguet Province, Philippines. Philippine Journal of Science 148 (S1): 71-82. Special Issue on Genomics.
Sanchez, J.C.S., J.P. Quilang, R.M. Mojica and E.P. Cao. 2018. Interspecific and intraspecific variation in Coffea sp. using fruit metric and landmark-based geomorphometric analyses. Philippine Journal of Science 147 (4): 659-665.
Victoria, AJ, Cao E, Salmaso N, Segata N, Donati C. 2018. Draft genome sequence of the cadmium-resistant strain JJU2, belonging to the Family Hapalosiphonaceae of the cyanobacteria. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 7:e00876-18. https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00876-18.
Sanchez, L.R.S., F.S. Magbanua F.S. and E.P. Cao. 2017. Isolation, characterization and rapid screening of copper-tolerant cyanobacteria consortia from mining sites and a strawberry farm in Benguet Province, Philippines. Journal of the International Society of Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences 23(2): 8-19.
Santos, D.M.C., C.F.F. Besa, A.J.A. Victoria and E.P. Cao. 2016. Simple sequence repeat analysis of selected NSIC-registered coffee varieties in the Philippines. Science Diliman 28 (1): 5 – 16.
Cao, E.P., D.M. Constantino-Santos, L.A.P. Ramos, B.S. Santos, J.P. Quilang, and R.M. Mojica. 2014. Molecular and morphological differentiation among Coffea (Rubiaceae) varieties grown in the farms of Cavite Province, Philippines. Philippine Science Letters 7(2): 387 – 397.
Chong, S.M.L., D.M. Constantino-Santos and E.P. Cao. 2014. Pollen morphometrics of four coffee (Coffea sp.) varieties grown in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Crop Science 39(3): 1 - 7.
Cao, E.P., D.M. Constantino-Santos, L.A.P. Ramos, B.S. Santos, J.P. Quilang, and R.M. Mojica. 2014. Molecular and morphological differentiation among Coffea(Rubiaceae) varieties grown in the farms of Cavite Province, Philippines. Philippine Science Letters 7(2): 387 – 397.
Arnante, M.E.S., M.L.D. Enriquez, E.P. Cao and F.F. Natividad. 2014. Preliminary screening for microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity in the deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) gene among Filipino patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. Acta MedicaPhilippina 48(4): 17 -22.