Molecular features define the structure, function, and interactions of biomolecules and cells. Recognizing these key molecular characteristics present opportunities for the design, experimental validation, and development of prototypes for their translational use in diagnostics and therapeutics. In our laboratories at the UP Manila College of Medicine, Lung Center of the Philippines and Makati Medical Center, we have worked with cells, cell-derivatives and biomolecules of synthetic and clinical origins and explored on strategies to which they address problems and challenges in human health. Advanced techniques, including cell culture and derivatization, spectroscopy, chromatography, and bio-computations, are employed to elucidate the relationship between molecular structure and functional behavior. The findings provide insight into structure-function correlations, offering potential applications in drug design, biomarker discovery, development of molecular diagnostics, and cell therapy. Examples of the various projects and engagements of the laboratories will be presented including the outcomes of the dendritic cell vaccines for cancer and infectious agents i.e., COVID-19 and MTB Bronchiectasis), biomarker discoveries for medicinal plants and clinical samples (i.e., urine and serum) and developed PCR-based assays (i.e., COVID-19 and HLA). Challenges including protocol development and regulatory issues, and future directions will also be presented.

Francisco M. Heralde III obtained his PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the University of the Philippines - Diliman in 2007; finished MBA at Wesleyan University of the Philippines-Manila in 2001; finished MSc in Biochemistry at UP Manila in 2000; and acquired a BSc in Fish Processing Technology (Cum Laude) at UP Diliman in 1987. He also finished a Diploma in Product Research and Development in 2009 from Thammasat University, Thailand and a BS Nursing degree in Philippine College of Health and Sciences in 2010; and is a registered nurse. He has generated a number of publications including at least 17 peer-reviewed local and international publications. He heads the Molecular Diagnostics and Multi-omics Laboratory and published on PCR-based (and mass-spec-based methods development studies. His current research interests include metabolomics, molecular diagnostics, toxinology and cellular therapeutics. He is a Co-Investigator of the DOST-funded project on the Development of Cell Therapy Composite for MTB Bronchiectasis