The Medical Microbiology Laboratory conducts basic and applied researches on medically important microorganisms from environmental and animal sources. Lab members isolate and identify microorganisms using cultural, biochemical, serological and molecular based methods. Some of the microorganisms studied in the lab include Bacteriophages, Campylobacter, Candida, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Toxoplasma. Researches conducted in the lab focus primarily on prevalence, drug resistance, adaptive responses, and cost to fitness, and is supported by grants from NSRI and OCVRD.
Link to Medical Microbiology Lab 
Gil M. Penuliar, Ph.D. (Head)
Assistant Professor 6
Ph.D. Medical Science
Systems Microbiology
Ma. Socorro Edden Subejano
University Research Associate
M.S. Microbiology Student
Remedios delos Reyes
Ph.D. Biology Student
Mary Grace Ayala
M.S. Microbiology Student
Ryan Calicaran
M.S. Microbiology Student
Daniel Garino
M.S. Microbiology Student
Michael Mariano
M.S. Microbiology Student
Rubee Ellaine Perez
M.S. Microbiology Student
Daniel Quelapio
B.S. Biology Student
Gen Serrano
B.S. Biology StudentPast Members
2016
Kimberly Almero
B.S. Biology GraduateRochelle Ivy Cion
B.S. Biology GraduateJann Eldy Daquioag
B.S. Biology GraduateMarrian Deytiquez
B.S. Biology GraduateMartin Robert Ramirez
B.S. Biology CandidateJon Paolo Vilvestre
B.S. Biology Graduate2015
Glaezel Angelique V. Torres
M.S. Microbiology GraduateRicardo Benedict C. Almirol
B.S. Biology GraduatePatrick Wilson N. Lim
B.S. Biology GraduateMa. Jillian Talavera
B.S. Biology GraduateTiffany Grace C. Uy
B.S. Biology Graduate2014
Juvy Ann C. Palma
M.S. Microbiology StudentMaria Timothena Alexandra A. Adriano
B.S. Biology GraduateChristel Bohn T. Garcia
B.S. Biology GraduateLowell Reich M. Guy
B.S. Biology GraduateMargarita C. Javenia
B.S. Biology GraduateCarlo P. Monteblanco
B.S. Biology GraduateFranzelle P. Padilla
B.S. Biology GraduateDaphne C. Tiam-Lee
B.S. Biology Graduate2013
Phyllis Anne P. Paclibare
University Research Assistant- Campylobacter prevalence among dogs in Metro Manila
Ma. Socorro Edden Subejano and Gil PenuliarEscherichia coli prevalence and drug susceptibility among pregnant women with UTI
Gen Serrano and Gil PenuliarStaphylococcus aureus prevalence and drug susceptibility among the elderly
Mary Grace Ayala and Gil Penuliar
On-Going Research Projects
- Alternatives to rabbit plasma for the coagulase test
- Campylobacter prevalence in dogs in Metro Manila
- Campylobacter prevalence in dogs in Bulacan
- In silico analysis of the cysteine protease gene expression in Entamoeba histolytica
- Multiplex PCR for the identification of bacteria in paper bills and coins
- Staphylococcus aureus prevalence and drug susceptibility among the elderly
- Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli prevalence in computers in UP Diliman
- Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in mobile phones
- Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in public utility jeepneys in UP Diliman
- Guy LR, Penuliar GM. 2016. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma among dogs in Antipolo and Metro Manila. Philippine Journal of Science (In Press).
- Penuliar GM, Nakada-tsukui K, Nozaki T. 2015. Phenotypic and transcriptional profiling in Entamoeba histolytica reveal costs to fitness and adaptive responses associated with metronidazole resistance. Frontiers in Microbiology.6:354. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.00354.
- Garcia CBT, Talavera MJP, Penuliar GM. 2014. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Seropositivity to Toxoplasma gondii among Stray and Domestic Cats (Felis silvestris catus). Science Diliman 26(2): 49-60.
- Penuliar GM, Furukawa A, Nakada-Tsukui K, Husain A, Sato D, Nozaki T. 2012. Transcriptional and functional analysis of trifluoromethionine resistance in Entamoeba histolytica. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 67(2):375-86.
- Penuliar GM, Furukawa A, Sato D, Nozaki, T. 2011. Mechanism of trifluoromethionine resistance in Entamoeba histolytica Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 66(9): 2045-2052.
- Penuliar GM, Matias RR, Natividad FF. 2010. Comparison of clinical and environmental isolates of Acanthamoeba based on morphology, protease and gelatinase activity, and the cysteine proteinase gene. Science Diliman 22: 9-18.