Dr. John Donnie A. Ramos – The Allergy Man

Dr. John Donnie A. Ramos

It would be great if you could call on a superhero like “Allergy Man” whenever you get attacked by the sniffles or when rashes suddenly start forming a map of the world on your body.  Of course, the alias is not really as cool as Spider-Man, Batman, or Superman.  But then again, the fight against allergies (one of the most-recognized health problems in the world)  does not really need superheroes.  The battle can be won with men like Dr. John Donnie A. Ramos, winner of the Department of Science and Technology-National Academy of Science and Technology’s Outstanding Young Scientist Award in 2005.

Dr. Ramos, an expert in the field of molecular geology and immunology, said “that despite the advances in life sciences, allergies are still not well understood.”

This being the case, Dr. Ramos and his research group developed a reliable diagnostic kit for allergic diseases.  By isolating a DNA code for an allergen present in house dust miles, Dr. Ramos and team were able to use DNA cloning to produce “wonder” proteins.  These proteins can then be used to screen and treat allergy-related illnesses like asthma, rhinitis, and dermatitis.

Currently, Dr. Ramos is working as an associate professor at the Research Center for the Natural Sciences at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).  His research interests include; recombinant protein expression and purification, monoclonal antibody production, CAN vaccination, cell culture techniques, and basic bioinformatics applications.  He is best known for his papers, “Sensitization profiles of allergic patients to recombinant and native Blomia tropicalis” and “Acarofauna and allergenicity of house dust mites in the houses of allergic patients in Metro Manila (2004-2005)

Sources

► www.nast.dost.gov.ph/27th%20ASM/oys_1.htm

►http://newshub.nus.edu.sg/ke/0109/extras/gss.htm

►http://webdb.stii.dost.gov.ph/schidetails2.jsp?sci_id-000362

►  www.dj.com/Pressroom/PressReleases/Other/Asia/2005/0121_Asia_The AsianWallsStreetJornal_7909.htm

 

Better Habitat for Marine Life

Curiosity of simple things, like observing creatures in the garden or watching the leaves change their color, can make a scientist out of a person.  Such curiosity and passion for what one does can bring out discoveries that can improve the quality of life, not just our own but other beings are well.  Dr. Helen T. Yap is one scientist with such ideals.

Dr. Yap cares passionately for the marine environment.  She started her research on how temperature, light, and other conditions, in the environment affect the growth of hard corals—the organisms that build reefs.  She believes that starting from the corals, other ecosystems can be protected and rebuilt, including the species and their habitats.

The Philippine government, recognizing Dr. Yap’s pioneering studies on the marine environment, specially the coral reefs, honored her in 1992 as one of the Outstanding Young Scientists.  Dr. Yap’s efforts led to a fuller understanding of the ecology of marine ecosystems.  Her exceptional ability in marine research has helped build international recognition for the marine scientists in the country.

Dr. Yap believes that pursuing a career in science is one way to help the country earn a proud place among the nations of the world,  she reminds her students to always be observant, meticulous, and patient.

At present, Dr. Yap works as an associate professor of marine biology at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, and also serves as member of the editorial board of the Journal of Marine Environmental Engineering, a United States Publication.

Dr. Yap obtained her undergraduate and master’s degrees from UO Diliman.  She completed her doctorate degree in Marine Biology from the Wilhelm Pieck University in Rostock, Germany in 1987.

Dr. Michael D. Purugganan

Dr. Michael D. Purugganan, a man described by his peers as one who is “distressingly fond of black clothing,” is a principal investigator for plant genome diversity

Have you seen mangoes or papaya with (really) flawless skins, not to mention pest-resistant?  Or maybe big gumamela flowers in varying colors?  Well, these are just examples of what plant geneticists achieve in their work.

Dr. Michael D. Purugganan is one such scientist who goes deeper into probing plants by studying the genes involved in controlling plant shoot formation and flower development.  He specializes in evolutionary genetics of plants.

Dr. Purugganan is currently an associate professor of genetics at the north Carolina State University in the United States.  He heads a laboratory in the Department of Genetics at NCSU, which engages in assessing the factors involved in the development of plants of the same species on the molecular level.

His team looks into the specific plant development pathways then maps and isolates the genes responsible for the plant’s form the intricate floral patterns and variations—a glimpse into a plant’s evolutionary adaptation and diversity.

A prolific researcher who has published papers in the fields of molecular population genetics, quantitative genetics, developmental biology and evolutionary ecology.  Dr. Purugganan was named William Neal Reynolds Professor of Genetics (2005). 

Dr. Parugganan obtained his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of the Philippines Diliman (1985), his master’s degree in empirical and theoretical biophysical chemistry from Columbia University, and his Ph.D in botany from the University of Georgia in 1993.

Sources

Michael D. Purugganan Personal Homepage. www.cals.ncsu.edu/genetics/purugganan/purugganan.html

Department of Genetics Laboratory Homepage, NCSU. http://purugganan.gnets.ncsu.edj/

 

Photo courtesy:  puruggananlab