Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Phl research and development road map on way towards genomic, nanotechnology

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Abstract:
The country's research and development (R&D) road map is now geared towards two emerging science, genomic and nanotechnology.

The R&D road map was crafted during a workshop led by the Department of Science and Technology's Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) in October, which was also attended by stakeholders in the fields of genomic and nanotechnology.

Phl research and development road map on way towards genomic, nanotechnology

Quezon City, Philippines | Posted on November 3rd, 2011

In a news release posted on the DOST website, Science & Technology Secretary Mario Montejo advised the stakeholders in the workshop to consider the final outcome of the research activity in crafting the road map, adding that in the end, the final product that comes from research should uplift the lives of the Filipino people.

Genomic refers to the study of genomes, or the complete set of genetic material of organisms.

In the country, genomic R&D are commonly in the areas of agriculture, health, nutrition, Filipino ethnicity, nutrigenomic, biotechnology, biodiversity, and forensic.

On the other hand, nanotechnology, also called the "science of small," involves the study of things at the atomic level. At this level, there are properties and functions not present in larger dimensions but can be designed and controlled at the level of atoms and molecules.

Nanotechnology researches in the country are in the areas of biotechnology, materials science, and information and communications technology.

In the field of health genomic, R&D will focus more on the development of diagnostic kits for commonly-encountered diseases.

This effort leads to a "Filipinized personal medicine" that addresses unique conditions of Filipinos in infectious, lifestyle, and cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

Also in the pipeline are functional and designer foods that can treat ailments, molecular marker studiers, deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA fingerprinting, novel enzymes development, sustainable drug discovery, and bio-energy production, among others.

Another important activity in the country will be the Human Genome Project which will provide important information on the Filipino identity.

In nanotechnology, research activities will center on addressing the top 10 problems of the world in the next 50 years, including energy, water, food, environment, and poverty, among others.

In the field of ICT and semiconductors, nanotechnology research will be geared toward building core facilities for nanometrology, solar cell testing, and failure analysis.

Research on nanomaterial samples preparation, chemical analysis and imaging, advanced materials, and high resolution characterization will also be done.

Nanotechnology studies with energy applications will focus on device structures, bulk heterojunction type solar cells, water-splitting photovoltaic system, and hydrogen fuel cells.