IRL Philippines

Integrative Research Laboratory

INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY, UP DILIMAN

Aspire. Nurture. Innovate.

The Integrative Research Laboratory (IRL) was established as an integrative approach to higher education to nurture and develop Filipino students’ competencies in the scientific method, arts, and innovation.

This integrative graduate research training approach includes three (3) IRL major areas:

1.) Immunopharmacology Research Laboratory

  • focused on training in scientific methods in the fields of Cell Biology and Immunology

2.) In Real Life

  • focused on translating scientific findings into social media content and policy papers,

3.) Innovative Research Laboratory

  • focused on developing products and processes in collaboration with local industries.

Science, Arts, & Innovation
for the nation

ma'am joyce and mike nicdao fluorescent microscope
Science Education

The Immunopharmacology Research Laboratory aims to train young generation of Scientists in the Philippines and add to the pool of local experts in the fields of Cell Biology and Immunology.

Arts

In Real Life aims to provide a creative platform for Science Communication
and Policy Advocacy for academics to effectively engage the public.

Innovation

The Innovative Research Laboratory aims to conduct research to develop products and processes that address the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and our National Economic Agenda.

Our Research Funding Agencies

IRL was established with the support of the Natural Sciences Research Institute, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development Outright Grant Program, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs through the Balik PhD program, and RTI International and USAID through the Science, Technology, and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) program.

IRL lab left side view

"Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of the imagination."

-John Dewey

Pumailanlang Perlas ng Silanganan
Igniting Imagination and Innovation

About IRL

In recent years, the importance of creativity in developing scientific innovations has become more evident. Design thinking inevitably requires the cultivation of an imaginative mind as well as proficiency in technical and practical skills.

While it may be sufficient for a person to develop expertise in only one of these skills, the ability to appreciate the importance of both the arts and science in innovation is necessary for a team. Therefore, we deemed it critical to provide an integrative training platform in a higher education laboratory where students are also encouraged to delve into both realms and collaborate with others to produce scientific outputs that are relatable, attractive, and functional.

The Integrative Research Laboratory (IRL) was established as an integrative approach to higher education to nurture and develop Filipino students’ competencies in the scientific method, arts, and innovation.

We will build on the outcomes of our first successful laboratory, the Immunopharmacology Research Laboratory, founded in 2014, which has produced Ph.D. and Master of Science graduates who are now productive members of our scientific community.

To date, in addition to conventional academic outputs such as book chapters and scientific publications, we have also developed early-stage technologies and copyrighted artworks that address real-world problems.

Latest News from IRL

Featured Publication – Emergence of resistance genes in fecal samples of antibiotic-treated Philippine broilers emphasizes the need to review local farming practices

Poultry industry gross output value has been steadily increasing in the Philippines (Statista, 2021). Among the regions, Central Luzon has the highest total chicken inventory with 26.98 million birds (PSA, 2021). A leading producer in the region is the province of Pampanga, with 164.48 thousand metric tons of chickens a year (Mapa, 2021). Nevertheless, accompanying the rise in poultry production is the challenge of maintaining an environmentally sound and ecologically sustainable means of the industry.

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IRL was featured in Agham + Sining: UP Innovation and Knowledge Festival 2022

The University of the Philippines (UP) System hosted the “Agham + Sining: UP Innovation and Knowledge Festival 2022” at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, UP Bonifacio Global City campus. Organized by the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO)—Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs on November 28–29, 2022, this two-day event showcased top-notch technologies and creative works from various Constituent Universities.

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