Mindanao State University at Naawan

Environmental DNA Research and Development Center – Services

Services

The Environmental DNA Research and Development Center offers a range of training and capacity-building programs designed to meet the evolving needs of academic institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders. 

 

  1. The process begins with a needs assessment and partner coordination, which may be initiated by the Center or through proposals submitted by interested parties. Prospective clients may propose activities by contacting the Center at [email protected].
  2. Once a training need is identified, the Center will design and plan a customized program based on the requested topics, available resources, and target audience. Programs may include lectures, field demonstrations, laboratory sessions, or a combination of formats.
  3. The Center will then promote the training activity through appropriate channels. Some offerings may require registration, while others may be open access or by invitation, depending on capacity and logistics.
  4. The training will be delivered based on structured modules, facilitated by qualified personnel and resource experts. 
  5. Upon completion, participants will be asked to provide feedback through evaluation forms, which the Center uses to improve future training offerings and ensure relevance and quality.

The Center is committed to promoting a broader understanding of eDNA science and its importance in environmental monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. Through its Public Awareness and Education Campaigns, the Center aims to engage communities, students, decision-makers, and the general public in appreciating the role of molecular tools in addressing ecological and environmental challenges.

 

  1. These campaigns may include information drives, science talks, school visits, public exhibits, webinars, social media content, and community outreach activities. The Center develops and disseminates accessible educational materials such as infographics, videos, posters, and brochures tailored for both technical and non-technical audiences.
  2. Activities may be conducted independently by the Center or in partnership with schools, local government units, non-government organizations, and other institutions. Interested parties may also request awareness activities or resource speakers by contacting [email protected].

 

Through these initiatives, the Center seeks to build a scientifically informed public, foster environmental stewardship, and inspire the next generation of researchers and advocates for biodiversity and ecosystem protection.

The Center actively fosters research collaborations to advance the development and application of eDNA technologies in the Philippines and the region. Its serves as a platform for interdisciplinary and multi-institutional partnerships, connecting researchers, academic institutions, government agencies, and conservation organizations working on biodiversity, environmental science, and aquatic resource management.

  1. The Center supports collaboration through:
    Joint research proposal development
    Data sharing and co-authorship arrangements
    Technical consultations and knowledge exchange
    Facilitation of student research and mentoring
    Linking local researchers with international partners and networks

  2. Institutions or individuals interested in pursuing research collaboration may contact the Center via [email protected] with a concept note or expression of interest. 

The Center evaluates opportunities based on alignment with its mission, feasibility, and potential impact. By enabling collaboration, the Center aims to promote innovation, accelerate capacity-building, and contribute to a more coordinated and impactful use of eDNA science in environmental decision-making and conservation efforts.

The Center serves as a Proposal Development Hub to support researchers, faculty, students, and partner institutions in crafting competitive research and extension proposals related to environmental DNA (eDNA), biodiversity monitoring, and aquatic ecosystem management.

The Center provides assistance in:

  • Identifying funding opportunities at local, national, and international levels
  • Co-developing project concepts and proposals aligned with institutional and funding agency priorities
  • Providing technical inputs on eDNA methodologies, experimental design, and relevance to environmental challenges
  • Peer review and editing of proposals prior to submission
  • Facilitating collaborative proposals involving multiple institutions or sectors

Interested individuals or institutions may reach out to the Center at [email protected] to request support, set a consultation meeting, or propose joint project ideas.

Through this service, the Center aims to build a pipeline of high-quality proposals, expand access to research funding, and support innovation in the use of molecular tools for environmental science and management.

The Environmental DNA Research and Development Center provides a centralized service for the archiving of eDNA samples and associated data management to support ongoing and future research in biodiversity monitoring, conservation, and environmental assessment.

Under its manual system, the Center ensures that:

  • Field-collected eDNA samples (e.g., water, sediment, soil) are properly labeled, stored, and recorded in physical logbooks and digital spreadsheets.
  • Each sample is assigned a unique identification code, with corresponding metadata (e.g., date, location, collector, method) documented in an archive log.
  • Storage conditions follow standard practices to maintain sample integrity, using available refrigeration and laboratory storage units.
  • Basic inventory and tracking tools are used to monitor sample movement, usage, and retrieval for analysis or future reference.
  • Associated raw data and analysis outputs (e.g., gel images, PCR results, species lists) are archived in organized local drives and physical folders with cross-referenced IDs.

Researchers affiliated with the Center or its partner projects may request access to archived samples or contribute new samples to the archive following internal guidelines and documentation protocols.

As resources grow, the Center envisions transitioning toward a digitized and database-driven archiving system, enhancing accessibility, transparency, and data sharing for collaborative research.

For inquiries or sample archiving coordination, contact [email protected].

The Center offers a range of technical services to support researchers, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders in applying eDNA technologies for environmental monitoring, biodiversity assessment, and resource management.

These services include:

  • Sample processing and analysis, including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and metabarcoding sequencing support
  • Standardized protocol development and consultation to ensure accurate and reproducible eDNA workflows
  • Technical assistance and troubleshooting in field sampling, laboratory procedures, and data interpretation
  • Customized method development tailored to specific ecological questions or target species
  • Data management support for organizing and archiving eDNA results and metadata

The Center’s technical team is equipped to provide hands-on support, training, and advisory services that ensure quality and reliability throughout the eDNA research process.

Clients interested in availing of technical services may contact the Center at [email protected] for inquiries, quotations, or scheduling.

The Center actively fosters networking and partnerships to strengthen the eDNA research community locally, nationally, and internationally. By building collaborative relationships with universities, research institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and industry stakeholders, the Center aims to promote the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise.

  1. Key activities under this service include:
  • Establishing formal memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and collaboration agreements. The Center will look for potential partners, facilitate the forging of MOU contents across target institutions and through OGEP of OVCRIGE. After less than 2 months, the MOU, if amenable to all parties, will be signed. 
  • Participating in and organizing scientific conferences, workshops, and symposia
  • Facilitating multi-institutional research projects and capacity-building initiatives
  • Connecting local researchers with international eDNA networks and consortia
  • Coordinating joint efforts for policy advocacy and environmental governance

  1. Institutions and organizations interested in collaborating may reach out to the Center at [email protected].

Through strategic partnerships, the Center enhances its capability to advance cutting-edge eDNA science and contribute to sustainable environmental management.