RESEARCH UNITS
Inano Laboratory
Description- iNano is a DLSU Censer Research facility base that offers a wide array of testing and analytical services using globally certified equipment. Also offering R & D services, i-Nano is composed of a team of researchers under the leadership of Dr. Gil Nonato Santos
Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit
The Environmental Biomonitoring Research Unit is a multidisciplinary research unit committed to assessing environmental pollution or contamination levels, advancing environmental health, and sustainability using biomarkers or bioindicators (i.e., plants, microorganisms, invertebrates, and aquatic organisms). EBRU will conduct studies involving the standardization of existing and new assay methods and the identification of efficient biomarkers or bioindicators for short-term and long-term monitoring of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with the integration of biomonitoring, bioinformatics, molecular biology, microbial source tracking, and recommendations for environmental policy development.
The goal of EBRU is to contribute towards environmental sustainability by reducing the impact of toxic levels of pollution and contaminants on human health and the environment. Additionally, EBRU aims to engage with local communities through citizen science initiatives, enabling residents to contribute to environmental monitoring efforts in their areas. The long term monitoring and surveillance efforts would include tracking of pollution trends, assessment of ecosystem resilience and environmental risk assessment using predictive models. These commitments of EBRU align with UNSDGs, particularly on #3 health (reducing environmental health risk), #6 clean water and sanitation (enhancing water quality monitoring and remediation), and # 13 climate action (developing nature-based solutions for ecological resilience).
Innovative Healthcare Analytics for Yielding Advanced Gadgets in Sensing- Optics/Photonics Technology, Instrumentation and Conservation Science ( IHAYAG -OPTICS)
The I-O Research Unit derives its name from a combination of the group’s former and current identities—”I” from IHAYAG (Innovative Healthcare Analytics for Yielding Advanced Gadgets in Sensing) and “O” from OPTICS (Optics/Photonics Technology, Instrumentation, and Conservation Science).
The unit is dedicated to advancing the development and application of cutting-edge sensing technologies across diverse fields, including healthcare, environmental monitoring, food safety, and industrial processes. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach, it integrates expertise across various fields, including, but not limited to, biosensors, microfluidics, and nanotechnology, as well as radiation sensing, optical detection, and electrochemical analysis. Through collaborative and pioneering research, it aims to deliver transformative solutions that address critical societal and industrial challenges.
The I-O Research Unit envisions becoming a leader in biosensor and sensing technology innovation in the Philippines and beyond. Joining the unit means contributing to groundbreaking discoveries, building strong collaborative networks, and fostering professional growth to drive meaningful scientific and technological advancements.
DLSU PhytoHealth
Description- The Plant and Soil Health Research Unit (DLSU PhytoHealth) encompasses key disciplines in plant and soil health, protection, and physiology disciplines. The unit is dedicated to developing effective and sustainable management strategies to combat plant diseases, pests, and disorders through fundamental, applied, and multidisciplinary research. Its core research areas include but are not limited to: 1) investigating the etiology of plant diseases and disorders, 2) studying their impact on host plants and their interactions with other microorganisms, 3) advancing the development and application of plant disease diagnostic tools and techniques, and 4) identifying and optimizing various control strategies for plant diseases and disorders.
In addition to research, DLSU PhytoHealth strives to raise awareness and enhance public knowledge about the importance of plant health through extension programs and capacity-building activities. The unit collaborates with relevant industries, academic institutions, and research organizations locally and internationally to strengthen its initiatives and achieve its goals. DLSU PhytoHealth aims to contribute significantly to the country’s research landscape by addressing critical plant health issues. Furthermore, the unit is committed to nurturing the next generation of plant health professionals by providing mentorship and support for emerging plant health specialists and scientists, thus contributing to developing the country’s science workforce.
Natural Products and Drug Development Research Unit (NPDDRU)
The Natural Products and Drug Development Research Unit (NPDDRU) is dedicated to harnessing the country’s rich and diverse indigenous flora and fauna in the search for novel bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic values. Its core activities include phytochemical profiling, isolation, structure elucidation, and evaluation of natural compounds for pharmacological applications, alongside the synthesis and derivatization of promising bioactive molecules. Ultimately, NPDDRU seeks to develop safe, effective, and affordable therapeutic strategies for the treatment of relevant diseases, especially for the benefit of the marginalized and underprivileged communities.