The discovery of the new species was a result of using “an integrative approach of morphological, biogeographic, and molecular biology techniques to describe a tarantula species.” The technique likewise succeeded in resolving “taxonomic issues on the genera Selenobrachys and Chilocosmia, which were synonymized under the genus Orphnaecus.

With the discovery, the group continues its work on discovering bioactive components that may have therapeutic potential from spider venom. The research program is funded by the Department of Science and Technology and has been named GAGAMBA – Gamot mule sa Gagamba at Mananaliksik ng Bayan.

Authoring the paper were Thomasian researchers Darrell C. Acuña, Maria Mikaela U. Dumbrique, Lorenz Rheum P. Ragasa, Charles Nylxon C. Noriega, Assoc. Prof. Myla R. Santiago-Bautista, PhD, Asst. Prof. Leonardo A. Guevarra, Jr., MSc, and Asst. Prof. Maricel C. Rañido, PhD. They were joined by Anna Beatriz R. Mayor, Gregorio Antonio Florendo Jr., and Mary Jane A. Fadri of Romblon State University, and Volker von Wirth of Theraphosid Research Team – Eitting, Germany.

Santiago-Bautista, Guevarra, and Rañido are academic staff of the Department of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Pharmacy. They are academic researchers at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.

The post New tarantula species discovered in Romblon appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

Academic researchers Prof. Agnes Llamasares-Castillo, PhD, Prof. Ross D. Vasquez, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Oliver B. Villaflores, PhD, all from the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, joined co-researchers from Singapore’s DELIGHTEX PTE LTD., namely Yutaka Kuroki, Aya Wada, Xinyi Zhu, and UST research assistants Kyle Andrei Cabatit, Jonah Joshua Garcia, and Janelan Martin.

The researchers were able to find thirty-nine plants with sleep-enhancing activities, such as Lactuca sativa, Nelumbo nucifera, and Ziziphus jujuba. The authors found that these plants “demonstrated consistent efficacy in improving sleep quality through interactions with the GABAergic system.” Though thirty-nine plants were identified in the reviewed studies, the researchers caution that “most studies are still preliminary, with the molecular mechanisms behind their sleep-enhancing effects remaining inconclusive.”

The researchers published on February 27, 2025 the review entitled “” in Phytomedicine Plus, indexed in Elsevier. The study is in line with phase 1 of the project funded by Singapore’s DELIGHTEX PTE LTD.

The post Which plants promote sleep? Thomasian researchers survey 39 locally available species in latest Elsevier review appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

Within various technical panels are Thomasian academics and researchers, namely:

ACCOUNTANCY

1. Prof. Patricia M. Empleo, PhD

BIOLOGY, Molecular Biology, and Microbiology

1. Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. Nat.
2. Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD
3. Prof. John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD

CHEMISTRY

1. Academician Professor Emeritus Maribel G. Nonato, PhD
2. Assoc. Prof. Oliver B. Villaflores, PhD

FINE ARTS

1. Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

1. Prof. Marilu R. Madrunio, PhD (Chair)
2. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION

1. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

LITERATURE

1. Prof. John Jack G. Wigley, PhD

MARINE SCIENCE

1. Prof. Mary Beth B. Maningas, PhD

MATHEMATICS

1. Prof. Ma. Carlota B. Decena, PhD

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

1. Prof. Ma. Freida Z. Hapan, PhD

MEDICINE

1. Prof. Ma. Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD

MUSIC

1. Assoc. Prof. Dolores T. Andres, PhD

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

1. Asst. Prof. Kathlene Anne V. Hernandez, MHPEd

OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

1. Assoc. Prof. Ma. Ninia I. Calaca, MA, MAPhl
2. Prof. Belen L. Tangco, PhD

PHARMACY

1. Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD (Chair)

PHILOSOPHY

1. Prof. Robert A. Montaña, PhD

PHYSICAL THERAPY

1. Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH

PHYSICS

1. Assoc. Prof. Angelita Silverio, MS (ret.)

REAL ESTATE

1. Prof. Eduardo G. Ong, PhD

SOCIOLOGY

1. Prof. Clarence M. Batan, PhD
2. Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, PhD

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

1. Inst. Elinor Bautista
2. Asst. Prof. Judith S. Damian, MS (ret.)

The newly reconstituted technical panels will have a four-year term beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2028.

The post Thomasians join various CHED technical panels to help develop country’s degree programs appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Balitaan disclosed that the Division of Chemical Sciences includes as its main thrusts empowering members “who are globally and highly respected researchers” and continuing “strong linkages with local and international scientific organizations for enhanced cooperation in the development and sharing of scientific information, responsible community leaders in ensuring environment protection, food safety and public health.”

Balitaan’s recent studies have focused “on the development of bio-inspired and biomimetic materials for anticorrosion, antibacterial, antibiofilm, wound healing and sensor applications.”

Both Balitaan and Villaflores are affiliated with the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.

The post Balitaan, Villaflores elected to NRCP Chemical Sciences Division appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

The post UNIVERSITY VISITORS – FEBRUARY 2023 appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

Asst. Prof. Ruel Valerio R. de Grano, PhD, faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry, talked about the faith and science of caring for our planet, our common home, and his reflections on Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si. For de Grano, the tool which humans can use to rectify their misuse and abuse. “We always have to go back to what is basic: to choose what is through good, and through good and beautiful,” De Grano said. “Human beings, while capable of the worst, we are also capable of rising above ourselves, choosing again what is good and making a new start despite the mental and social conditioning. What we have to do is to educate ourselves, and to educate (others) and […] let Science again be our teacher to help rekindle our covenant with the environment. ” he added.

UST Pollution Control Officer of the Facilities Management Office Engr. John Lester P. Rosal talked about the proper handling, storage, management, and disposal of chemical and hazardous waste in the campus, as well as the University’s compliance to the Department of Environment and National Resources. “The important thing is aware tayo, kumbaga may contribution tayo para maging safe ang environment natin,” he said.

Meanwhile, Asst. Prof Gina C. Castro, RPH, PhD, lectured on the environmental stewardship from the pharmacist’s perspective. For Castro, given the risk that is associated with the poor disposal of medications, the response of the pharmacists was “ecopharmacovigilance”, which means science and activities related to detecting, evaluating, understanding and preventing adverse effects of pharmaceutical products in the environment. 

Capping her talk, Castro gave three points in line with the pharmacists’ role in taking care of the environment, namely: 1) Optimize drug use and inventory/stocking practices; 2) Information campaign on proper medication disposal—why and how; and lastly, 3) Medication take-back initiatives.

Seeing the significance of rallying the whole FOP toward environmental awareness, health promotion, and social responsibility, November 26, 2021 was also declared as the “Recipio Advocacy Day” of the Faculty of Pharmacy. The Pharmacy, Medical Technology, and Biochemistry Departments will come together to tackle environmental issues brought by chemical and hazardous wastes.

Moreover, The Trash Talk: Usapang Waste Disposal brings Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si to the center stage in an effort to inspire the Faculty of Pharmacy toward actively “caring for our common home”.

Revisit the webinar .

The post Pharmacy holds The Trash Talk: Usapang Waste Disposal in celebration of National Environmental Awareness Month appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

Team A, who garnered the 3^rd place, was led by their team captain, Louie Rince A. Suyo (3ABC), Joseph Michael G. Sioson (3ABC), Geaver Nicolei G. Cortez (3CBC), Aira B. Dacasin (3CBC), Charles Nylxon C. Norriega (3CBC), Maria Tricia G. Raza (3CBC), and Clare Robin U. Ramos (2ABC). The champion, Team B, was led by Joshua Lawrence Bautista (3BBC), Ryne James P. Gandia (3BBC), Sophia Marie J. Castillo (3BBC), Jaden G. Jardiolin (3BBC), Dana Isabelle A. Segui (3BBC), and Aivee Joy N. Nacor (3CBC). Both teams were coached by Mr. Dalton R. Fortin, MSc and Mr. Alexis M. Labrador, MSc.

For this year, 6 universities/colleges participated: Adamson University Chemistry Program, Cagayan State University (CSU) Chemistry Program, Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Chemistry Program (Team A and Team B), De La Salle Health Science Institute (DLSHI) Biochemistry Program, University of the Philippines-Manila Biochemistry Program (2^nd Place), and UST.

The PACSIKLABAN is an annual event of the Philippine Association of Chemistry Students, Inc. (PACS, Inc.) which aims to enhance and promote the chemistry and chemistry-related knowledge among universities and colleges that offer a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and other allied programs. The competition has 2 major stages: the elimination round and final round. Each stage is composed of three substages, namely Easy, Average, and Difficult round.

The post UST Biochemistry students win 1st, 3rd place in PACSIKLABAN National Chemistry Quiz Bee Competition appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

The study entitled “Euglycemic and wound healing activities of Wrightia antidysenterica extracts” focused on the substance commonly known as “White angel,” whose aerial parts were dried and “sequentially extracted with solvents of increasing polarity and were subjected to in vitro assay and the most active extract was subjected to in vivo anti-hyperglycemic and wound healing tests.”

The study found that the “constituents of the active DCM bark extract revealed the presence of two unknown alkaloids and polyunsaturated fatty acids that may contribute to pharmacological claims of the extract. The results suggest that Wrightia antidysenterica DCM bark extract can be a potential source of bioactive compounds with euglycemic and wound healing properties.” The study was primarily hinged on the disease of diabetes mellitus, a chronic, multifactorial disorder with hyperglycemia as its primary biomarker.

Villalobos is a faculty member of the and a student of the , while Villaflores teaches at the and the Graduate School. Villaflores is also a researcher at the R.

The post Villalobos, Villaflores of Pharmacy win award for research on wound healing activities of White angel appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

The study aimed to add to cancer research literature by addressing the problems caused by lengthy processing of biopsy specimens and the limited number of pathologists around the country. Focus on thyroid cancer, the study offered the use of Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy imaging “to detect malignancy before visual changes [become] evident…a limitation of H&E-stained samples.”

Using artificial intelligence through neural networks in the clinical setting, the study was able to accurately distinguish “between malignant and the benign thyroid lesions using FTIR data. The best NN-based model was able to obtain an accuracy…far beyond the performance metrics of other models.”

The study’s next phase involves the testing and the evaluation of the NN-based models in a new data set, which will serve as the testing set, according to the study’s summary.

Tomas was joined in the study by fellow Thomasian researchers , , , Abegail Santillan; Ruth Bangaoil, Rolando Lopez, Maria Honolina Gomez, Allan Fellizar, Antonio Lim, and Lorenzo Abanilla.

The post Grad school student’s paper on discrimination of thyroid lesions through neural networks wins third place in PAASE poster contest appeared first on ľĹÉ«.

The study, entitled “Isolation and Affinity Purification of Peptide Analog of In Silico of Zika Virus,” utilized IgY technology, “a cost-effective, high antibody yield, and animal-friendly technology [in which] antibodies are harvested from egg yolks of chickens immunized with known antigens.” The researchers produced IgY specifically raised against in silico predicted unique immunogenic epitope of Zika NS1 antigen, which may be used in the development of a Zika virus-specific serological test.

The UST researchers joined Prof. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio and Asst. Prof. Laarni Grace Corales of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, and funding was secured from the UP National Institutes of Health.

The present study gave UST its back-to-back win in the said category.

The post Guevarra, BS Biochem alumni win best poster award for health sciences in NAST conference appeared first on ľĹÉ«.