Ma. Anita M. Bautista, Ph.D.

Professor

PROFILE

Program Director, Philippine Genome Center (2018)

Postdoctoral Researcher, Ohio State University, OH USA

PhD Applied Entomology, Nagoya University, Japan

MS Applied Entomology, Nagoya University, Japan

BS Agriculture, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Philippines

CONTACT

PUBLICATIONS

LABORATORY

  • Functional Genomics Laboratory

Understanding gene function and identification of biologically-relevant targets in insects and other organisms through the use of advanced molecular biology tools

The Functional Genomics Laboratory (FGL) was established in 2013, and its research interests stemmed from the PI’s work on RNAi and next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches.

Lab works in FGL involve high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, in addition to standard molecular biology approaches. In FGL, members use high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to obtain genomic, transcriptomic and metagenomic sequences of organisms of interest (e.g., insects, crop and medicinal plants, trees, bacteria and viruses). Members are also trained in the field of computer science called “bioinformatics” which is used to process and analyze sequencing data. A typical bioinformatics workflow contains the following steps: quality control and data grooming; assembly; post-assembly analysis, and annotation. Bioinformatics results are validated using qPCR and functional assays.

Research Area

  1. Bioinformatics and validation of omics datasets derived from insect, plants and microorganisms of aquaculture and health importance
  2. Sustaining the operations of a DNA/RNA biobank for Philippine medicinal plants 3.Development of improved eggplant varieties with new plant defense genes for multiple insect resistance using innovative technologies
  3. Development of improved eggplant varieties with new plant defense genes for multiple insect resistance using innovative technologies
  4. Insecticide resistance monitoring in Aedes for sustainable dengue vector control (IRMAe) (for implementation)

Selected Publications

TMarasigan RV, Alcantara E, Pangilinan EA, Tablizo F, Morado EK, Araiza SM, Punayan K, Maralit B, Bautista MA. Draft Genome Sequences of Two Streptomyces Isolates Obtained from Volcanic Soils in the Philippines. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2022 Feb 17;11(2):e0108721. doi: 10.1128/mra.01087-21. Epub 2022 Feb 10. PMID: 35142551; PMCID: PMC8830324.

Dee Tan IY, Bautista MAM. Bacterial Survey in the Guts of Domestic Silkworms, Bombyx mori L. Insects. 2022 Jan 17;13(1):100. doi: 10.3390/insects13010100. PMID: 35055946; PMCID: PMC8779307.

Alcudia-Catalma MN, Conde MY, Dee Tan IY, Bautista MA. First report on the characterization of genetic diversity of Philippine-reared Bombyx mori strains based on COI and ITS2. Philipp. J. Sci. 2020;150:503-17.

Punzalan R, Bautista A, Emmanuel E, Rivera R, Rivera S, Saloma C, PGC PG. Transcriptome of the traditional coconut variety Laguna tall. Philipp J Sci. 2019;148(S1):153-64.