The National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Biotech) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) wins the Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award during the National Science and Technology Week on July 23 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Five representatives from Biotech namely Reynaldo V. Ebora, Susan A. Sedano, Arsenia B. Sapin, Maria Teresa M. Perez, and Teresita J. Ramirez, received the medal and cash prize of one hundred fifty thousand pesos (P150,000) for the successful commercialization of Salmonella DAS .

One of Biotech’s patented products, Salmonella DAS is a PCR-based indicator kit which detects salmonella in food and feeds. PCR or Polymerase chain reaction, is a biochemical technology which allows a single DNA copy to multiply to billions of copies, through heating and cooling of the reaction which is called thermal cycling.  Ramirez started its commercialization from 2004-2005 with funds from the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD).  It is now being distributed to potential clients like the Lipa Quality Control Center in Lipa City, Batangas.

Two other awards were also given out: the Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research which was given to Dr. Waren N. Baticados, a UPLB scientist, for his research on livestock and companion animals’ diseases; and the Outstanding Science Administrator Award which was given to Dr. Amelia W. Tejada, executive director of the Food Development Center, for her large contribution in the Centralized Contaminants Laboratory at the Food Development Center-National Food Authority (FDC-NFA).

The Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award, also known as the Gregorio Y. Zara award, is given in recognition of the efforts of technology generators and developers to commercialize technologies. (Rae Marrie L. de Mesa)