The training is part of the project titled, “Establishment of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing laboratory in fish and provision of technical skills training to research personnel” funded by the DA-Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO) through the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) which is implemented by the University of the Philippines Visayas in collaboration with the DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) and DA-FBC.

Forty-four (44) research personnel from the DA-FBC and the UPV participated in the recently concluded online technical training on “Guide RNA Design for CRISPR/Cas9 System in Fish”. The training was co-organized by the Institute of Fish Processing Technology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (IFPT-COF), University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) and DA-FBC.

In a video message, NFRDI Executive Director Dr. Lilian C. Garcia, expressed her strong support to the training which is an opportunity to enhance the capabilities of UPV and FBC research personnel to perform breakthrough gene-editing work in fish using CRISPR/Cas9 system – a technology that offers a promising approach to greatly increase fisheries productivity and profitability which can potentially open countless opportunities for the fisheries sector.

The training was facilitated by Dr. De Xing from Northwestern University, Illinois, USA and project leader Dr. Rhoda Mae Simora from IFPT-COF-UPV. Also present was DA-FBC Center Chief and co-project leader Dr. Casiano H. Choresca Jr., who pledged his full support to the training including all upcoming UPV-FBC hosted initiatives related to CRISPR/Cas9 research in fish.