Date:     Thursday, 21 Aug 2025
Time:     1pm – 2pm
Venue:  SBS TR+6 (SBS-01n-26)

Abstract:
At the University of San Agustin (USA), we have established a translational research ecosystem that connects Philippine biodiversity to the discovery of therapeutic leads and biotechnological innovations. We investigate bioactive compounds from marine sediment-derived actinomycetes and ethnobotanically significant plants such as pigeon peas, turmeric, ginger, tawa-tawa, and Philippine honey. Since 2017, our research has yielded prototype products and early-stage technologies in therapeutics, functional foods, and cosmeceuticals. This work involves bioprospecting, bioassay-guided isolation, LCMS- and NMR-based dereplication, metabolomics-driven compound prioritization, genome mining, and preclinical validation in antibiotic, anticancer, and antiviral models. Strong collaborations with industry have facilitated technology transfer, IP protection, and pilot-scale production, advancing discoveries from the laboratory to the market. In this seminar, I will present our integrated approach to natural product discovery and development, and highlight how science-driven innovation and bioentrepreneurship can catalyze health solutions and regional bioeconomic growth.

Speaker:
Prof Doralyn Dalisay
Director, Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, C2B2
Professor of Biology University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, Philippines

Biography:
Dr Doralyn S. Dalisay is a licensed pharmacist, microbiologist, and natural products chemist specializing in drug discovery from microbial, marine invertebrate, and plant sources. She earned her PhD in Microbiology from the University of New South Wales, Australia, under the mentorship of Prof. Staffan Kjelleberg, and completed postdoctoral training in marine natural products chemistry at the University of California, San Diego, under the supervision of Prof. Ted Molinski. She later held research professorships at the University of British Columbia and Washington State University before returning to the Philippines in 2015 as a Balik (returning) Scientist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Dr. Dalisay is the founding director of the Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology (C2B2) at the University of San Agustin, where she leads pioneering research on marine sediment-derived actinobacteria for antibiotic, anticancer, and antiviral drug discovery. She maintains a microbial biobank of over 3,000 unique isolates, has published extensively, holds several patents, and has received numerous national awards. Her research is supported by DOST, PCHRD, NRCP, USAID-STRIDE, and other international funding agencies.