International Rice Research Institute

(IRRI)

Located at: University of the Philippines Los Baños

MISSION

To reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure environmental sustainability through collaborative research, partnerships, and the strengthening of national agricultural research and extension systems.

GOALS

Reduce poverty through improved and diversified rice-based systems.

Ensure that rice production is sustainable and stable, has minimal negative environmental impact, and can cope with climate change.

Improve the nutrition and health of poor rice consumers and rice farmers.

Provide equitable access to information and knowledge on rice and help develop the next generation of rice scientists.

Provide rice scientists and producers with the genetic information and material they need to develop improved technologies and enhance rice production.

IRRI pursues its missions and goals through:

Interdisciplinary thematic and system-based programs.

Scientific strength in major disciplines for rice research.

Anticipatory research initiatives exploring new scientific opportunities.

Conservation and responsible use of natural resources, including rice genetic resources.

Sharing of germplasm, technologies, and knowledge.

Participation of women in research and development.

Partnership with farming communities, research institutions, and other organizations that share IRRI’s mission.

Continuing efforts in improving staff development and welfare.

IRRI’s actions are guided by a commitment to:

Excellence

Scientific integrity and accountability

Innovation and creativity

Gender consciousness

Diversity of opinion and approach

Teamwork and partnership

Service to clients

Cultural diversity

Indigenous knowledge

Environmental protection

People at IRRI

IRRI's Seven Research Programs

IRRI is implementing its Strategic Plan, Bringing Hope, Improving Lives, through seven programs that have taken effect in recent Medium-Term Plans, with each program constituting an “MTP project.” These programs are product and impact oriented with clearly defined activity domains and time-bound targets and outputs. Each program may have a number of working teams to achieve one or a set of outputs

An update from the Director General

Program 1: Supporting rainfed environments Program leader: David Mackill

Program 2: Sustaining agriculture Program leader: Achim Dobermann (2007-08) Bas Bouman (2008)

Program 3: Ending hunger in Africa Program leader: Joseph Frederick Rickman

Program 4: Improving human health Program leader: Gerard Barry

Program 5: Fostering genetic diversity Program leader: Hei Leung

Program 6: Sharing knowledge Program leader: Graham McLaren (2007-08) Richard Bruskiewich (interim, 2008)

Program 7: Providing policy support Program leader: Sushil Pandey

REACTIONS FROM THE PLANT TOUR:

International Rice Research Institute was a helpful in sharing the knowledge for good and efficient rice production. Their office located at University of the Philippines Los Baños provided us with a background about the previous and recent researches about rice, which is the world’s most consumed food. Though supported by different private companies and institutes, they are willing to accept researches for undergraduate and graduate students and also, to the farmers in the country. They have also given significance to the history and culture of the old people in farming and rice production, by having a small museum, where antique farming tools and preserved varieties of rice were displayed.

The entrance in IRRI

The Museum at IRRI

Exhibits at IRRI

National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Formerly: National Institute of Biotech and Applied Microbiology

Located at: Agricultural Life & Sciences Complex, University of the Philippines Los Baños

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), formerly known as the National Institutes of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology, was established on December 20, 1979 by the UP Board of Regents as a research and development institution based at UP Los Baños. Letter of Instruction No. 1005 from then president Ferdinand E. Marcos on March 1980 instructed the National Treasury to release P10 million out of the Energy Special Fund for the institute. BIOTECH originally served as an integrating mechanism to mobilize the various departments and disciplines in engineering, chemistry and applied microbiology for research, training, and extension.

BIOTECH serves as the national research and development (R&D) organization specializing in agricultural, environmental, food and feeds, and health biotechnology. The institute capitalizes on the use of the country's diverse collection of microorganisms, rich natural resources and agro-industrial waste and by-products to develop and advance alternative technologies and products towards improved agro-industrial productivity.

VISION

BIOTECH envisions being a premier biotechnology research institution developing and commercializing globally-competitive and environment-friendly products, processes, and services from the country's diverse resources that resolve societal problems on agriculture, food, health, and environment.

MISSION

As such, BIOTECH is committed to contribute in enhancing the quality of life of the Filipino through the growth and development of biotech industries. Biotechnology will be exploited as an enabling technology for the country's agro-industrialization and people empowerment.

MANDATE

BIOTECH will develop globally-competitive and environment-friendly biotechnology-based products, processes and services from diverse resources in order to fulfill its mission and attain the vision it has formulated.

GOALS

To contribute to increased productivity and global competitiveness of commodities through the creation of high-value products, processes and services

To lead in the use, protection and conservation of biodiversity

To be at the forefront in waste management research through biotechnology

To develop a nationally recognized information and education center on biotechnology

To fast track commercialization and transfer of biotechnologies through models, mechanisms and policy instruments

To efficiently and effectively manage BIOTECH as a research, development, service, and extension (RDE) organization.

RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

Agriculture and Forestry Biotechnology Program is the country's incubator of agribiotechnology researches on biofertilizers, microbial biodiversity for reforestation and agricultural waste treatment. BIOTECH, with full support from the University, leads in the active promotion, demonstration and commercialization of biofertilizers towards food security and contribute in the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.

Biotechnology Program for Food, Feeds and Specialty Products discovers and upgrades technologies to produce high value foods, feeds, additives, specialty products, and develops efficient detection kits to ensure quality and safety. The program explores sources, properties and application of functional foods (e.g., nutraceuticals, probiotics from GRAS Lactic Acid Bacteria and yeast). Nutraceuticals are the functional foods such as omega-3, 6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids from structured lipids like coconut and local seed oil. The institute also intensifies

improvement, application and commercialization of existing DNA-based detection kits and industrial enzymes.

Bioinformatics and Drug Discovery Program applies modern and conventional scientific techniques to discover pharmaceutically-important compounds produced from local isolates and to develop plant cell culture systems as a source of high-value secondary metabolites (drugs). The program uses bioinformatics, computational software, and tissue culture technology for the identification and mass production of identified novel compounds. Continuing efforts are exerted to promote and commercialize BioVac-HS and BioVac-FC, the vaccines against Pasteurella multocida which causes fatal hemorrhagic septicemia and fowl cholera, respectively.

Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology revives its bioethanol research projects in search for cost-effective and renewable fuel sources and to help lessen the impact of oil price increases. The program focuses on the discovery and development of robust microorganisms to improve biofuel production. It also develops biological binders or biosurfactant, biopolymers, and heat-resistant enzymes, for wastes degradation and bioremediation. Likewise, the program extends analytical services and technical assistance on environment and waste management.

Communication and Technology Utilization Program packages BIOTECH information and facilitates its proactive exchange among the scientists-researchers and the Institute clients. The program, likewise, embarks on various technology transfers and commercialization approaches. Among its services include biotechnology promotion, training and internship, product and technology marketing, database management and communication support services.

Administrative Support Unit provides enabling mechanisms and logistics support services BIOTECH Program and Service Laboratories. BIOTECH conducts custom-designed contract research and training on biotechnology areas related to agriculture, food and feeds, health, environment and the industry.

SERVICES

Aside from breakthrough discoveries, BIOTECH has income-generating service laboratories that provide technical information and support services to the institute's projects and other clients such as private individuals and companies, NGOs, regulatory agencies, research institutions, and students. BIOTECH consistently rate as one of the top generators of resources within UPLB mainly from income earned by its service laboratories.

It is the only government-owned and operated R&D Institute which offers complete facilities that include microbial depository, testing laboratory, and pilot-plant services.

Laboratories are accredited and recognized by Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR), Bureau of Food and Drugs(BFAD), Department of Health (DOH), and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

BIOTECH's laboratories serve as the venue for research and development activities of the university as well as for its partners and clients. They contribute significantly in the generation of additional funds to propel its RDE projects.

Central Analytical Services Laboratory (CASL)

The Central Analytical Services Laboratory (CASL) handles routine chemical analysis of food, feeds, plants, soils, fertilizers, water, wastewater, raw materials, by-products of fermentation processes, and even cosmetics. It modifies and standardizes analytical methods for applications to specific samples, as well as develops new analytical techniques.

The laboratory implements and maintains a high quality system based on ISO 17025 guidelines for laboratory competence. CASL is accredited/recognized by the Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR), Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), Department of Health (DOH), and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Electron Microscopy Service Laboratory (EMSL)

The scanning electron microscope and (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) find their home in the Electron Microscopy Services Laboratory (EMSL). This laboratory provides structure analysis of biological and non-biological samples by light photomicroscopy and the ultra-structure analysis of samples by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It is also capable of developing and improving species (biological)-specific sample preparation techniques suitable for magnification using the electron and light microscopy.

It houses both the transmission electron microscope (TEM), Hitachi Model H-300 and the scanning electron microscope (SEM), Hitachi Model S-510. Other equipment includes the ultramicrotome (Ultracut E), the critical point drying apparatus, the ion sputter and the high vacuum evaporator. EMSL is capable of developing and improving species (biological)-specific sample preparation techniques suitable for magnification using the electron and light microscopy.

Philippine National Collection of Microorganisms (PNCM)

PNCM is a national repository of microorganisms recognized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) since 1996 for having the biggest general collection of its kind. It maintains a total of over 2000 strains of bacteria, yeasts, filamentous fungi, algae and protozoa

It is a member of the World Federation of Culture Collections (WFCC) and the headquarters of the Philippine Network of Microbial Culture Collections (PNMCC). PNCM has active linkages with culture collection laboratories here and abroad.

BIOTECH Pilot Plant, a vital facility instrumental in testing the industrial requirements of the Institute's researches and technologies is maintained and operated by the Fermentation Engineering and Service Laboratory (FESL). It provides technical support for the optimization of upstream process parameters through R & D collaboration and the optimization of product recovery and downstream process parameters.

National Immunological Testing Laboratory (NITL)

The National Immunological Testing Laboratory (NITL) is the diagnostic center for the rapid detection of mycotoxins and plant, food, and feed pathogens. The laboratory can determine the concentrations of the mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 and M1, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, fumonisin and red tide toxins to as low as 5 ppb.

NITL provides monoclonal antibody-based diagnostic kits for economically important crops, in-vitro mass propagation of virus-free banana, and training programs on disease control and management.

PRODUCTS

Biofertilizers & Plant Material Diagnostic Kits and Vaccines Food & Specialty Products

REACTIONS FROM THE PLANT TOUR

BIOTECH provided us with a little knowledge about the institute and introduced us with their old and recent researches. Their laboratory was organized and has complete facilities.

Chemistry students at Biotech