UP seeks PPE donations for COVID-19 genome sequencing

The University of the Philippines (UP) is seeking donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) for its scientists who will be conducting genetic sequencing of COVID-19 samples.

The Philippine Genome Center (PGC), in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIHS) of UP Manila, will undertake the crucial task of sequencing these samples over the next two weeks to gather vital scientific information to help curb the spread of the disease.

UP is appealing for donations including N95 masks, surgical masks, laboratory gowns, caps, face shields, and shoe covers to ensure the safety of their skeletal workforce.

Donations can be delivered to the PGC Building lobby in UP Diliman, Quezon City, from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

A detection kit, developed by PGC Deputy Director Dr. Raul Destura and other researchers, is also undergoing field validation and is expected to be commercially available within two to three weeks for early detection and treatment of COVID-19.

The FDA has approved the use of the UP-developed test kit earlier this March, saying that it can yield results in less than two hours, compared to the Japan-developed testing tool that has a running time of 24 hours.