In the Philippines, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, with over 33,000 new cases reported in 2022. That year, it claimed more than 11,000 lives, making it the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the country, following lung cancer.

Aggressive breast cancers can spread to other organs, a process called metastasis. Before it does, however, the cancer cells must first invade the lymphatic and blood vessels, which enables them to travel to different parts of the body. This condition, known as lymphovascular invasion (LVI), serves as an early indicator of metastasis for doctors. Currently, LVI can only be detected by examining tissue surrounding the tumor that has been surgically removed.

Now, biologists from the University of the Philippines (UP) have developed a mathematical model that can detect LVI in breast cancer patients even before surgical treatment. Their study also revealed links between LVI and drug resistance, helping explain why breast cancer patients with LVI respond poorly to anticancer drugs.

“If we can detect LVI earlier, doctors could personalize patient treatment and improve their outcomes. This could help avoid ineffective treatments and focus on strategies that work better for aggressive breast cancer,” said corresponding author Dr. Michael Velarde of the UP Diliman College of Science Institute of Biology (UPD-CS IB).

Along with Dr. Velarde, the study’s authors are Allen Joy Corachea, Regina Joyce Ferrer, Lance Patrick Ty, and Madeleine Morta of UPD-CS IB, and researchers from the Philippine Genome Center and UP Manila.

Before surgery, breast cancer patients are given anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin and anthracyclines to shrink the tumors first. In some cases, the treatment is so effective that the tumors disappear completely, eliminating the need for surgery. In other cases, however, the tumors only shrink, requiring surgical removal. It is only after this procedure that doctors can determine if the patients have LVI.

From the clinical data of 625 breast cancer patients at the Philippine General Hospital, along with publicly available data, Dr. Velarde and his co-authors observed that the majority of patients with LVI also responded poorly to the anticancer drugs.

They further confirmed the link between LVI and drug resistance by collecting tumor samples and growing them in a lab into organoids – small, organ-like structures that mimic real organs. Their tests revealed that LVI-positive organoids were indeed less receptive to anticancer drugs compared to LVI-negative ones.

They discovered that certain genes involved in breaking down anticancer drugs, called the UGT1 and CYP genes, are more abundant in patients with LVI. When these genes are more abundant, the drugs are broken down more quickly, reducing their effectiveness. As a result, patients with high activity of UGT1 and CYP genes are more likely to have tumors that survive chemotherapy and eventually metastasize.

Using these insights, they developed a regression model that analyzed the expression patterns of UGT1 and CYP genes. Their model correctly predicted LVI status at the time of biopsy and before surgery 92% of the time.

“Importantly, our approach can be implemented in the Philippines using locally available genomic technologies, making earlier detection and tailored treatment more accessible to Filipino patients,” added Dr. Velarde.

However promising, Dr. Velarde noted that the model is still in its early stages of development and is not yet ready to replace current methods for diagnosing LVI. “More validation studies are needed before this can be used in clinics.”

The authors also plan to validate their results by testing the gene signatures of larger groups of Filipino breast cancer patients. They plan to further investigate how UGT1 and CYP genes are related to LVI to identify drug combinations that work better for LVI-positive patients. “Our goal is to develop a practical test that can be used in Philippine hospitals to guide doctors in choosing the best treatment for each patient,” concluded Dr. Velarde.

References:

Corachea, A. J. M., Ferrer, R. J. E., Ty, L. P. B., Aquino, L. A., Morta, M. T., Macalindong, S. S., Uy, G. L. B., Odoño, E. G., Llames, J. S., Tablizo, F. A., Paz, E. M. C. C., Dofitas, R. B., & Velarde, M. C. (2025). Lymphovascular invasion is associated with doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer. Laboratory Investigation, 104115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labinv.2025.104115

Joshua Veluz, Paul Christian Gloria, Laurence Anthony Mallari, and Dr. Maria Auxilia Siringan of the Microbiological Research and Services Laboratory (MRSL) at the UPD-CS Natural Sciences Research Institute (NSRI), along with Ann Elizabeth Enova of the UPD-CS Marine Science Institute (MSI), reconstructed 17 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from microbial mats collected in Acacia, Mabini, Batangas. MAGs are genomes assembled from environmental samples without the need for cultivation and isolation.

“Our findings reveal diverse bacterial genomes with functional genes related to nutrient cycling, potentially supporting marine ecosystem health,” the researchers explained in an interview. Additionally, they identified biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) associated with the production of bioactive compounds. These BGCs enable microbes to produce antibiotics, anticancer agents, and other bioactive metabolites.

Their study underscores the vital role of microbial ecosystems in SGD sites, particularly in sustaining marine biodiversity and driving biogeochemical cycles. It also emphasizes the potential of these microbes to address the global demand for new antimicrobial agents.

“The baseline information and insights generated through our study are essential references in developing and establishing policies and regulations on environmental protection of our marine resources, such as those found in SGD-influenced sites in Mabini, Batangas,” the researchers said. They added that they also presented their findings and project outcomes to an audience of over 50 people at the Mabini Tourism Office, emphasizing the biodiversity in SGD-associated sites and providing recommendations. The meeting attendees included Mabini’s local government officials, tourism industry representatives, divers, and Bantay-Dagat members.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with nearly 2 million deaths. In the Philippines in 2022, it recorded 23,728 new cases—making it the second most common cancer after breast cancer—and caused 20,953 deaths, the highest among all cancer types. Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for more than 80% of cases. Experts say that late diagnosis and challenges in treating late-stage cases are the main factors affecting the cancer mortality rate, including NSCLC.

Biomarkers, which are essential measurable indicators in lung cancer management, help identify lung cancer subtypes, guide treatment options, and predict outcomes. The lack of biomarkers that can be used to detect NSCLC, and lung cancer as a whole, prompted scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) to identify potential biomarkers for lung cancer, specifically NSCLC lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

To address this challenge, Dr. Baby Rorielyn Dimayacyac-Esleta, Ferdinand Mira, Lara Beatrice Suñga, Venus Pondevida from the UPD-CS Institute of Chemistry (IC); Lorenzo Zarate, Ben Joshua Porras, Dave Laurence Juntilla, and Dr. Eloise Prieto of the UPD-CS National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB); and Dr. Sullian Naval, Dr. Treah May Sayo, and Dr. Herdee Gloriane Luna of the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) conducted a quantitative proteomics analysis to examine total protein levels in tumor and adjacent normal tissue specimens from early-stage Filipino NSCLC LUAD patients, identifying 4,403 proteins with irregular expression in tumors.

The identified proteins are linked to cancer and play an important role in protein translation, carbohydrate metabolism, and the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway. According to the research, disrupting these functions may drive NSCLC progression.

A total of 33 proteins were identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers. “These proteins have aberrant expression in both gene and protein levels, and their gene levels are correlated with poor 5-year survival rate of NSCLC patients,” Dr. Esleta explained, noting that these proteins were previously detected in tissues and/or in the blood plasma of NSCLC patients, highlighting their potential for clinical use.

The proteins that the team identified can now be prioritized for qualification, verification, and validation in the biomarker development pipeline. During the qualification phase, a large collection of specimens will be analyzed using a targeted proteomics technique. “These proteins can be tested for possible application in the diagnosis of NSCLC to complement existing diagnostic methods such chest radiography, low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan, and bronchoscopic examination, and significantly enhance the accuracy and sensitivity of detection,” Dr. Esleta added.

Dr. Esleta and her team are currently working on the establishment of the targeted proteomics pipeline in IC’s Clinical Proteomics Laboratory to have the capacity of continuing the goal of providing diagnostic protein biomarkers in the clinic.

Their research paper, titled “Discovery of Key Candidate Protein Biomarkers in Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma through Quantitative Proteomics,” is now included in the Journal of Proteome Research, a publication which reports on global protein analysis and function, including genomics, spatio-temporal proteomics, metabonomics and metabolomics, and clinical proteomics. Their work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).

References:

Dimayacyac-Esleta, B. R., Mira, F. D., Zarate, L. M., Porras, B. J., Juntilla, D. L., Suñga, L. B., Pondevida, V. B., Naval, S. S., Sayo, T. M., Luna, H. G., & Prieto, E. I. (2025). Discovery of key candidate protein biomarkers in early-stage Nonsmall cell lung carcinoma through quantitative Proteomics. Journal of Proteome Research. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00764

Ferlay, J., Ervik, M., Lam, F., Laversanne, M., Colombet, M., Mery, L., Piñeros, M., Znaor, A., Soerjomataram, I., & Bray, F. (2024). Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Today. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. Retrieved from https://gco.iarc.who.int/today

Majeed, U., Manochakian, R., Zhao, Y., & Lou, Y. (2021). Targeted therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Current advances and future trends. Journal of Hematology & Oncology, 14(1).

The rapid rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria makes treating bacterial infections increasingly difficult, and the widespread use of antibiotics in agricultural, clinical, and residential environments leave few immediate solutions. MDR Salmonella is widely acknowledged as a major global public health issue, with scientists reporting the bacteria as one of the leading causes of diarrhea and outbreaks worldwide annually, including in the Philippines. As a large producer and consumer of meat, the Philippines faces a pressing need to monitor these potential threats, and explore the genome of MDR Salmonella to identify the most common types of Salmonella, assess their disease-causing abilities, and uncover circulating antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) that pose risks to food safety and public health.

Using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) testing, Michael Joseph Nagpala, Jonah Feliza Mora, Rance Derrick Pavon, and Dr. Windell Rivera from the Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory (PHEIRL) of the UPD-CS IB examined the genetic makeup and AMR of Salmonella collected from chicken meat, the second most consumed meat in the country, sold in retail wet markets across Metro Manila.

The most predominant type of Salmonella was Infantis, followed by Brancaster, Anatum, London, Uganda, and Derby, all of which possessed diverse virulence and resistance genes. High levels (>45%) of multidrug resistance were observed when tested against antimicrobial panels, with a total of 50 ARGs detected, conferring resistance to 12 different drug classes. Numerous plasmids — small, circular DNA pieces that play a vital role in spreading resistance — were also identified in some types of Salmonella.

“Our study suggests a need for proper surveillance of contaminating bacteria as well as regulations on antimicrobial use at the farm level, as infections from MDR Salmonella, especially among vulnerable populations and from highly virulent serovars (types of Salmonella), can lead to life-threatening, systemic, and untreatable manifestations,” the team said.

The biologists further emphasized that there is a clear and significant risk of MDR Salmonella variants spreading within wet markets and food animal value chains, as well as the potential for cross-contamination and undetected transmission in kitchens and homes.

“Mitigating this concern requires multi-sectoral policies, regulations, and standards—especially regarding proper antibiotic use, increased awareness of AMR and MDR at the farm, clinical, and community levels, and support for research and development of antimicrobial alternatives, and surveillance of foodborne pathogens and resistance,” the team concluded.

The study was supported by the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office.

References:

Mora, J. F., Meclat, V. Y., Calayag, A. M., Campino, S., Hafalla, J. C., Hibberd, M. L., Phelan, J. E., Clark, T. G., & Rivera, W. L. (2024). Genomic analysis of Salmonella enterica from metropolitan Manila abattoirs and markets reveals insights into circulating virulence and antimicrobial resistance genotypes. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1304283

Nagpala, M. J., Mora, J. F., Pavon, R. D., & Rivera, W. L. (2025). Genomic characterization of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella enterica in chicken meat from wet markets in Metro Manila, Philippines. Frontiers in Microbiology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1496685

Joy Kristelle De Mata and Dr. Lean Dasallas of the UPD-CS Materials Science and Engineering Program (MSEP), along with Dr. Roland Sarmago and Dr. Wilson Garcia of the UPD-CS National Institute of Physics (NIP), examined how thin films of the high-temperature superconductor BSCCO (bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide)—commonly used in power cables, generators, and magnets—are formed using a low-energy femtosecond pulsed laser.

Key Challenges and Expectations

“A key challenge in this process is maintaining the stoichiometric ratio of elements in the film, as deviations can significantly impact material properties,” De Mata explained in an interview. To understand the process better, their team studied how varying the type and pressure levels of the background gas affect the thin film’s composition and how evenly the material spreads.

The scientists discovered that using low-energy femtosecond PLD (fs-PLD) at high gas pressure does not fully replicate the composition of the original material. Existing computational models commonly used in PLD, which predict how materials spread during deposition, did not accurately explain these differences. This suggests that the fs-PLD process is more complex than expected, highlighting the need for improved models to enhance thin film production for real-world applications.

“Our results demonstrate that the background gas type and pressure significantly influence film composition,” De Mata added. “While fs-PLD offers advantages over nanosecond-PLD, achieving correct stoichiometry in thin films remains challenging, necessitating further optimization of deposition conditions.”

Industrial applications of fs-PLD

De Mata emphasized that while the fs-PLD process shows promise, it is not yet fully scalable for industrial applications, such as electronics, due to several limitations. The mismatch between the elements in the deposited thin film and the original material can lead to inconsistencies in mass production. Additionally, because fs-PLD uses low energy, the deposition process is slower, making large-scale manufacturing more costly.

“Despite these challenges, fs-PLD remains a valuable technique for high-quality thin film fabrication in research and specialized applications,” she said. Moving forward, the team plans to study other factors, such as substrate heating, to see how temperature affects the thin film. “The current models used do not fully account for the observed deviations in film composition. We aim to refine these models for greater applicability to fs-PLD.”

References:

De Mata, J. K., Sarmago, R., Garcia, W., & Dasallas, L. (2025). Spatial variation of the elemental components of thin films from BiSrCaCuO target deposited using low energy femtosecond pulsed laser deposition in high background gas pressure. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B, 43(2). https://doi.org/10.1116/6.0004082

Considered one of the most devastating natural hazards globally, floods pose critical threats to both human life and economic stability. The Philippines is no stranger to flooding, as approximately 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) each year. According to the 2023 World Risk Index Report, the country also ranks first among those most affected by extreme weather events.

Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, a professor at the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science’s National Institute of Geological Sciences (UPD-CS NIGS) and executive director of the UP Resilience Institute (UPRI), together with scientists from the UPRI Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) Center and Dr. Gerry Bagtasa of the UPD-CS Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM), with assistance from Dr. Bernard Alan Racoma of IESM and in partnership with the Academic Alliance for Anticipatory Action (4As), developed an impact-based flood forecasting system capable of predicting flooding in the entire Philippines. The system was funded by the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA).

“This system can determine whether a neighborhood is likely to be affected by a major flood event 24 hours in advance,” Dr. Lagmay explained, noting that the system was able to forecast the flooding in Davao, Palawan, and Borongan this year. “When accessed on the NOAH website, areas prone to flooding due to severe weather are shown in map view or tabular format, with the number of potentially affected people listed down to barangay level.”

The tool can forecast flooding in specific areas based on accumulated rainfall forecasts (predicted total rainfall) and 100-year rain return flood hazard maps, which are maps showing areas prone to severe flooding based on historical data. By adjusting global weather models to match the country’s specific geography and weather patterns, the system releases predictions that are more accurate.

The Impact-Based Flood Forecasting System was released in 2024 and has been available for public use since then. The system empowers Filipino citizens by enabling them to validate the data it provides. “The public can contribute information through the LyfSaver app, allowing FIlipinos to report floods in their area.” Dr. Lagmay added.

Dr. Lagmay and his team also collaborated with other organizations, such as the FYT PH Media’s crowdsourcing platform, YesPinoy’s disaster response training program, and the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, as well as the Public Affairs and Information Services Department, to integrate the automated system’s features into other components of disaster risk reduction and management.

ATLAS is one of the largest and most complex scientific instruments ever built. As a general-purpose particle detector measuring over 40 metres in length and around 25 metres in height, it was designed to investigate the fundamental building blocks of matter and the forces governing our universe. Its cutting-edge systems track particles produced in particle collisions at unprecedented energies, enabling discoveries like the Higgs boson and searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

The Breakthrough Prize specifically highlights the ATLAS Collaboration’s significant contributions to particle physics, including detailed measurements of Higgs boson properties, studies of rare processes and matter-antimatter asymmetry, and the exploration of nature under the most extreme conditions.

“The Breakthrough Prize is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of the ATLAS Collaboration and our colleagues across the LHC experiments,” said ATLAS Spokesperson Stephane Willocq. “This prize recognises the collective vision and monumental effort of thousands of ATLAS collaborators worldwide.” 

UPD-CS NIP has been at the forefront of ATLAS research since 2021, contributing to the search for new physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM).

“Our team’s work on BSM modelling and simulation exemplifies the innovation driving ATLAS forward,” said Dr. Flores. “This recognition affirms the impact of our contributions and inspires us to continue exploring the universe’s most fundamental questions.”

“The successes of Run 2 showcase the ingenuity of the ATLAS Collaboration — not only in collecting data with a detector of outstanding precision, but also in our relentless drive to improve our understanding of it,” said Andreas Hoecker, former ATLAS Spokesperson.

While the ATLAS Collaboration celebrates the recognition of the Breakthrough Prize, its focus remains firmly on the future. The third operation period of the LHC is currently underway and preparations for the High-Luminosity LHC upgrade are advancing rapidly. NIP’s High Energy Physics & Phenomenology (HEP-PH) team of 15 physicists and students is deeply involved in preparing ATLAS for its next chapter. Although their current contributions are currently in the theoretical and phenomenological side, the team is ramping up their experimental involvement through concrete steps like the formation of the ATLAS Philippine Cluster involving other Philippine universities.

“We are now preparing the ATLAS detectors of the future — designed to harness this unprecedented data and further push our understanding of the universe’s fundamental building blocks,” concludes Willocq.