NIH 2013 Program - University of the Philippines Manila

ABSTRACTS OF THE PLENARY PRESENTATIONS
2.1 Translational health research
Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
Eva Maria C Cu$ongco-­‐de la Paz
Transla$onal research is what has been known as the “bench to bedside” approach. It carries various
meanings to different people. For health care providers and their pa$ents, it is the increased u$liza$on of
scien$fic research to improve health care. In the academic sehng, it refers to the confirma$on and
valida$on of new concepts. For those in industry, it is the development and commercializa$on of products
from biomedical research. Transla$onal research is the process of transforming scien$fic breakthroughs
into clinical applica$ons to improve human health.
An overview of transla$onal health research will be presented, including its relevance in addressing health
dispari$es.
2.2 Development of low-cost dengue kit and scaling up for commercial use
Dengue Diagnostic Program, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
Raul V Destura
The need for early diagnosis and intervention of dengue infections prompts the medical
community to look for technologies that detect dengue infection in its earliest stage possible. Early
symptoms of dengue virus infection mimic those of other flaviviral diseases, thus clinical diagnosis
alone is not conclusive (WHO, 1997). Viral isolation in cell cultures, followed by direct detection
using immunofluorescence (IF) is considered a definitive diagnostic test; however, these methods
are time-consuming, laborious and resource-demanding (Samuel and Tiagi, 2006). Serological
tests such as immunoblots using IgM offer faster alternatives; however, serological diagnosis
requires paired sera collection and is, in general, less specific than diagnosis by culture (WHO,
1997).
Nucleic acid-based testing has replaced the majority of the viral detection methods because of its
faster turn-around time, as well as offering higher sensitivity and specificity. A rapid and accurate
simultaneous detection and serotyping of dengue virus infection offers the advantage of rapid
diagnosis in the clinical setting while providing seroepidemiological surveillance information for
public health officials in formulating and evaluating health policies.
Novel tools like nucleic acid amplification such as PCR proved to be promising but highly
sophisticated equipment are necessary and may not be applicable in the field particularly in
certain outbreaks. A newly developed procedure, the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
(LAMP) Assay proposed by Notomi et al. (2000) offers several advantages which can augment for
the shortcomings of existing nucleic acid-based protocols. Furthermore, this research initiative
miniaturized the technology (Biotek-M) by developing a portable heating element to allow
performance of the test even at primary care centers with basic laboratory equipment.
This talk focuses on the results of the Dengue Diagnostic Program and its continuing journey to
reach its target end-user: the Filipino people.
SCIENCE AND HEALTH FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 26