The DOST-NRCP funded research project entitled “Manila Bay Monitoring Using Metagenomics for Pathogen Detection and Source Tracking”, headed by Dr. Windell L. Rivera, explained that the Bay has several features which may be considered defiant of environmental laws and post potential threats like over-population, pollution from land- and sea-based sources, over and illegal fishing, uncontrolled development, loss of habitats, and decreasing resources.
This research project has provided with the evidence of the potential application of metagenomics in improving pathogenic surveillance and the generated data can be effective to public health decision-making. On the perspective Manila Bay’s threatened natural environment, characterizing the pathogens present in its water system can also help address the threats and design preventive strategies to minimize the negative impacts to public health.
For more information about PHEIRL, follow our FB Page Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, and website https://pheirl.science.upd.edu.ph.
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