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Innovation Hubs: Bridging the gap between research output and research utilization

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) conducted a consultative meeting with the Philippine Women’s College of Davao, Brokenshire College, Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., and San Pedro College last February 13-14, 2023. The consultation meeting is part of the project entitled “Establishment of PCHRD Health Research and Technology Innovation Hubs (HeaRTNovation Hubs): Expanding the TEKI in Health Program among Health Institutions”, funded through the FY 2022 NEDA Innovation Grants. The main objective of the meeting was to gather feedback and insights from the partners operating in the health research field in Region 11, particularly in setting up innovation hubs in their respective institutions. These hubs will serve as the support of the institution in filling the gaps in utilizing research outputs other than publication such as commercialization. The innovation hubs will also provide guidance to the researchers when it comes to partnerships and collaborations.

Currently, the PCHRD has the following programs under the Intellectual Property and Technology Management Program (IPTM)

Intellectual Property Protection and Management of Health Research Outputs Program (IProtech)
Startup Research Grant Program (SGP)
TEKI in Health or Technology Transformation and Empowerment of Knowledge Generators and Innovators in Health

The council also gives support to research dissemination, publication, paper presentation, and attendance at scientific events. Lastly, PCHRD provides support in translating research output into evidence-based policy. More details about these programs can be accessed through: https://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/what-we-do/research-utilization/

The program expanded guidelines for HeaRTNovation Hubs is set to launch on March 2023 during the PCHRD Anniversary while the call for applications is set to start on April 2023.

USEP Eyes Research on Natural Bio Preservatives from Durian

A research by the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) on durian rinds as natural bio preservatives secured over 900,000 pesos funding from the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD).

Durian, dubbed "the king of tropical fruit," is a popular fruit in Southeast Asia known for its pungent odor, spiky appearance, and delicious taste. In the Davao Region, the Philippine Statistics Authority reports that durian had an increasing trend in volume production from 2017 to 2019.

Aside from its delicious taste, durian rinds or the fruit's outer skin can be used for many purposes. Multiple studies reveal that the durian rinds can be used as fiber, paper, organic fertilizer, and even as fiberboard. USeP's research aims to use the fruit's rinds as natural bio preservatives by isolating bacteriocinogenic Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and extracting bacteriocin from fermenting durian rind. This research also aims to provide future solutions to food safety issues.

Prof. Judee Nogodula, Head of the USEP College of Arts and Sciences Research, spearheads this project together with the University of the Philippines Los Baños as the cooperating agency.

The project is funded through the Regional Research Fund (RRF) facilitated by the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (RHRDC), the regional arm of DOST-PCHRD. USeP is a member of the said consortium. The RHRDC provides RRF to encourage researchers to be actively involved in health research activities and build up their capabilities in designing, implementing, and promoting health research projects in the region.

The project is funded for one year and will undergo the necessary phases to complete the study. The grant fund will cover expenses such as supplies, materials, technologies, transportation, maintenance, and laboratory technicians that will serve in the project.

source: DOST XI S&T Information and Promotion / https://region11.dost.gov.ph/