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UPLB National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

The BIOTECH Building, which was initially called the Ferdinand E. Marcos Center for Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology, is located inside the 77.7 hectare Agricultural and Life Sciences Complex at UP Los Baños

BIOTECH staff and officials celebrate the 2016 UPLB Loyalty Day in full force

BIOTECH products are cost-effective and cheaper alternatives to conventional products, making use of locally available materials which are safer to the environment

The BIOTECH Central Analytical Services Laboratory (CASL) was formally awarded the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Accreditation on September 1, 2014. Then UPLB Chancellor Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz together with CASL Staff headed by Dr. Veronica P. Migo and important guests.

The BIOTECH Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms (PNCM) was formally awarded ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Accreditation last January 28, 2015. Present were Vice Chancellor Prof. Rex Demafelis, BIOTECH Director at the time Dr. Reynaldo Ebora, PAB-DTI OIC Dir. Ernani Dionisio, PNCM Head Dr. Rosario Monsalud, Chancellor Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., and PAB DTI Mngr – Laboratory Accreditation Perla F. Baje.

BIOTECH welcomes participants of the Enhancing Development of Global Entrepreneur (EDGE) program under the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT)

biotech logo The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) offers its Research, Development and Extension (RDE) strategies to provide Filipinos with safer, nutritious and cheaper food, medicinal and health promoting ingredients, sustainable and clean industrial technologies, and new/efficient sources of renewable energy. BIOTECH is the premier national research and development (R&D) institution applying traditional and modern biotechnologies in innovating products, processes, testing and analytical services for agriculture, health, energy, industry and the environment.

Dr. Alcantara named UPLB's Outsanding Researcher for 2017

Dr. Edwin P. Alcantara, UP Scientist I and Program Leader of BIOTECH’S Biotechnology for Natural Products Program, was named as UPLB’s Outstanding Researcher under the Natural Sciences, Senior REPS category for 2017. He was recognized for his significant contributions in the implementation of a proactive approach to insect resistance management for transgenic maize in the Philippines.

Dr. Alcantara has studied how the insecticidal protein of Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) disrupts the digestive process of corn’s insect pest and because of this he was able to contribute to the development of Bt corn. His research about the biochemical and molecular characteristics of Asian corn borer were instrumental in current insect resistant management of said pests. While his USAID-funded project also quashed misconceptions that direct exposure to Bt corn could harm beneficial insects. He also proved how BT crystal proteins could target the digestive system of pests that feed on rice. He was instrumental in instituting the Natural Products Program of BIOTECH. This Program has been using computer technologies to discover insecticides that would help maintain the integrity of crops.

Dr. Alcantara earned his PhD and MS in Entomology from the Ohio State University in 1997 and UPLB in 1990, respectively.