Science students’ research projects win awards

MANILA, Philippines - Research conducted by a senior Biology student from the University of the Philippines-Diliman on the use of an individual’s genetic information to guide personal medical care won this year’s “BPI-DOST Best Project of the Year” award.

Jann Adriel Sy, a fourth year BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology student, received a P50,000 cash prize and a trophy for his research entitled “Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 3’ untranslated region of the pregnane X receptor gene and inter-individual variability in drug responses.”

Sy also received a graduate scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute.

The BPI-DOST Best Project of the Year is an annual research competition that recognizes students who excel in specialized fields of science such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, biology and environmental science.

According to the SEI, Sy’s study “delved into the complicated world of pharmacogenetics, focusing on studying mutations in the protein-coding region of enzymes that are critical in the metabolism of clinical drugs.”

Sy said adverse drug reactions are a leading cause of fatality in the United States, ahead of pulmonary diseases, automobile deaths and diabetes and despite advancements in clinical medicine.

He said drugs in standard dosages do not guarantee normal metabolic responses in each individual.

“Differences in genetic mutations may spell the difference in the metabolism of a simple 500mg paracetamol in which slow metabolism could lead to accumulation of drug and toxic side effects and ultimately, death,” Sy said.

“Hence, a person should be prescribed the right dosage based on his/her genetic profile in order to avoid adverse drug reactions,” he added.

SEI said Sy’s study is “relevant to all human beings” as it seeks to develop a means to personalize drug dosages to avoid adverse effects.

Sy said the research topic was a concept of his thesis adviser, Dr. Reynaldo Garcia.

“I think that the study can actually bring us closer to the goal of personalized medicine – drug dosages tailored to specific individuals and each person’s specific drug metabolic speed, thereby reducing the risks of side effects or drugs having no apparent reaction or benefit,” the 24-year-old Sy said.

“I plan to continue my studies and hopefully end up doing some work in other cutting-edge fields, such as stem cell research,” he said.

Jose Paolo Aguilar, a BS Biology student from the University of Santo Tomas, bagged the second prize for his project “Remedation of chromium by immobilized microorganisms with zero-valent iron nanoparticles.” He received a P30,000 cash prize and a trophy.

Napoleon Salvador Antonio, a BS Chemistry with Materials Science and Engineering student from the Ateneo de Manila University, placed third for his study, “Towards affordable solar cells: Fabrication of photovoltaic devices incorporating doped graphene from graphite and doped Carbon from pyrolyzed glycerol.” He received a cash prize of P10,000 and a trophy.

Filma Brawner, SEI director, said the competition is a testament to BPI and DOST’s great belief in the vast potential of the Filipino youth in the field of science and technology research.

“Scientific research provides optimism for the Philippines and other developing countries in their drive to be at par with the high performing economies of the world,” Brawner said.

“Through research, we are able to come up with new knowledge and ultimately, technologies that should contribute in enhancing productivity of our local industries,” she added.