The Institute of Biology regularly conducts seminar-workshops for the benefit of secondary and tertiary school teachers as well as researchers in the different fields of biological sciences. Every year, an academic group is involved as organizers or as resource persons in such seminar-workshops. The Institute is also regularly tapped by different government agencies, the NGO community and the private sector to provide scientific advice and other services.

     On June 7-10, 2013, the Institute of Biology conducted a seminar-workshop titled “Application of Molecular Tools in Aquatic Research.” The seminar-workshop was funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The workshop was participated in by 23 professors and researchers from 13 state universities in Luzon. The seminar-workshop consisted of lectures, laboratory activities, and computer work. The aim of the seminar-workshop was to equip the participants with knowledge on molecular genetic techniques and on their applications in aquatic research. The participants were also taught how to analyse molecular genetic data using various software packages. They were also taught basic skills on DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and PCR product purification in the lab. At the end of the seminar-workshop, the participants presented capsule proposals applying the knowledge and skills they have learned from the lecture and laboratory activities.

Facilitators and participants in the Training Course on Application of Molecular Tools in Aquatic Research held at the Institute of Biology on June 7-10, 2013.

     Another seminar-workshop conducted by the faculty of the Institute of Biology was on “Lecture-Workshop on Research Methods in Physiology and Developmental Biology.” This seminar-workshop was held at the Institute of Biology on 22-25 April 2013 and was funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI). The lecture-workshop aimed to increase the pool of S & T human resources in the country and to help prepare secondary and tertiary school teachers for the implementation of the K to 12 program. A total of 22 participants attended the workshop: 16 were from science and national high schools in Metro Manila, one from Pampanga, three from the Visayas, and two from Mindanao.

Facilitators and participants in the Lecture-Workshop on Research Methods in Physiology and Developmental Biology held at the Institute of Biology on April 22 – 25, 2013.

     The Institute of Biology also offered a summer internship program for science high school students from 10 April to 10 May 2013. Twenty (20) high school students from Cagayan, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Southern Mindanao participated in the program. The students were taught basic molecular genetic techniques, cell culture maintenance and assay, mounting of herbarium specimens, and basics of invertebrate taxonomy.

Facilitators and participants in the UP Biology 2013 Summer Internship Program held on April 10 – May 10, 2013.