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UP celebrates collaborative study and findings on Philippine Eagle genome

| Written by Clariza Concordia

UP College of Science Dean Cynthia Saloma, former executive director of the UP Philippine Genome Center, gives an overview of UP PGC’s collaborative study with the Philippine Eagle Foundation, which has resulted in the successful sequencing and assembly of the first mitogenome and whole genome of the Philippine Eagle. “This study provides a master blueprint for using genomics to safeguard not only the Philippine Eagle, but also other endangered species across the Philippine archipelago,” Saloma says. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.

“The work is not finished, but because we are doing it together, we understand more, we can act better, and we can give the Philippine Eagle a stronger fighting chance for the future.”

 

This was what Philippine Eagle Foundation Director for Operations Jayson Ibañez told fellow researchers and scientists from the PEF and the UP Philippine Genome Center during a celebratory dinner hosted by UP President Angelo Jimenez, Oct. 2 at the Executive House, UP Diliman.

 

The dinner celebrated the landmark collaborative study between PEF and UP PGC, which yielded groundbreaking insights into the genome of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi).

 

Researchers from the PEF,  UP PGC, PGC Mindanao, UP Los Baños, and UP Mindanao, led by Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, attended the event. 

UP College of Science Dean Cynthia Saloma, former executive director of the UP Philippine Genome Center, introduces members of the Philippine Eagle study team present at the UP PGC-Philippine Eagle Foundation celebratory dinner. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
The Philippine Eagle genome researchers, together with UP System officials, at the UP Philippine Genome Center and Philippine Eagle Foundation celebratory dinner. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.

In his opening remarks, Jimenez highlighted the importance of collaborating with other institutions in advancing science and economic development. He added that the UP PGC-PEF joint study is “a prime example of what becomes possible when scientific expertise, institutional commitment, and a shared sense of responsibility come together to serve our country.”

 

PGC Executive Director Windell Rivera commended the team, saying its contributions are “crucial” to the growing research on the Philippine Eagle, which “ultimately leads to preserving biological heritage and maintaining the balance of our ecosystem.”

View more scenes from the event below:
According to Philippine Eagle Foundation Director for Operations Jayson Ibañez, the Monkey Eagle Conservation Program, led by the late Dr. Robert “Bob” Kennedy, began conserving Philippine Eagles in 1977. Speaking on the UP Philippine Genome Center-PEF joint study, Ibañez says that its findings, along with other studies, guide the 10-year species action plan for the Philippine Eagle. "You have brought new tools, new knowledge, and new perspectives in the conservation effort that began almost 50 years ago," Ibañez tells the UP PGC-PEF research team. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
According to Philippine Eagle Foundation Director for Operations Jayson Ibañez, the Monkey Eagle Conservation Program, led by the late Dr. Robert “Bob” Kennedy, began conserving Philippine Eagles in 1977. Speaking on the UP Philippine Genome Center-PEF joint study, Ibañez says that its findings, along with other studies, guide the 10-year species action plan for the Philippine Eagle. "You have brought new tools, new knowledge, and new perspectives in the conservation effort that began almost 50 years ago," Ibañez tells the UP PGC-PEF research team. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao narrates a brief history of research on the Philippine Eagle, beginning with studies on distinguishing male and female chromosomes in the first decade of 2000, then the development of microsatellite studies, and full mitochondrial DNA analysis. Referring to the UP Philippine Genome Center-Philippine Eagle Foundation study, Murao says Philippine scientists and institutions can lead world-class conservation genomics research. “Tatak Pilipino. All Filipino. All-star cast,” she describes it. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao narrates a brief history of research on the Philippine Eagle, beginning with studies on distinguishing male and female chromosomes in the first decade of 2000, then the development of microsatellite studies, and full mitochondrial DNA analysis. Referring to the UP Philippine Genome Center-Philippine Eagle Foundation study, Murao says Philippine scientists and institutions can lead world-class conservation genomics research. “Tatak Pilipino. All Filipino. All-star cast,” she describes it. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
"We have to speak very loudly because the nation is hungry for our voice. In times of crisis, that's when they need us," UP President Angelo Jimenez tells scientists and researchers at the UP Philippine Genome Center-Philippine Eagle Foundation celebratory dinner. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
"We have to speak very loudly because the nation is hungry for our voice. In times of crisis, that's when they need us," UP President Angelo Jimenez tells scientists and researchers at the UP Philippine Genome Center-Philippine Eagle Foundation celebratory dinner. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
“Saving the species goes hand in hand with saving our forests and securing the future of our generation,” UP Philippine Genome Center Executive Director Windell Rivera says at the UP Philippine Genome Center-Philippine Eagle Foundation celebratory dinner. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
“Saving the species goes hand in hand with saving our forests and securing the future of our generation,” UP Philippine Genome Center Executive Director Windell Rivera says at the UP Philippine Genome Center-Philippine Eagle Foundation celebratory dinner. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
“Go out into fields and areas and challenge your assumptions about what you think society needs,” UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. advises researchers during the UP Philippine Genome Center-Philippine Eagle Foundation celebratory dinner. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.
“Go out into fields and areas and challenge your assumptions about what you think society needs,” UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. advises researchers during the UP Philippine Genome Center-Philippine Eagle Foundation celebratory dinner. Photo by Jonathan Madrid, UPS-MCO.

The collaboration between UP PGC and PEF began more than two years ago when they used genomics to study the Philippine Eagle. 

 

UP researchers, most of whom were graduate students, assessed genomic data from 35 Philippine Eagles. The study resulted in two findings. One is that the Philippine Eagle has low genetic diversity, which makes it more vulnerable to human and environmental threats. The study also showed that the PEF’s breeding program effectively sustains genetic diversity. The findings were published in two international journals: BMC Genomics and Ecology and Evolution.