A new Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) lab will soon rise at the University of San Agustin (USA) in the Visayas.
According to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, this laboratory will be the first one outside of Region 4-A and National Capital Region (NCR).
“The NMR facility will be used to study the physical, chemical, and biological properties to determine molecular identity and structure of materials in the ‘Tuklas Lunas’ (drug discovery) program of the DOST,” Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara.
She also explained that Tuklas Lunas allows DOST to develop herbal medicines, supplements, and functional foods using the Philippines’ biodiversity.
Approximately Php124 million budget will come from the DOST central office, while the additional Php8.1 million will come from DOST-Region 6. According to Guevara, the agency hopes to begin construction by June and complete the project by May 2023.
Even though the NMR laboratory will be placed in USA, other universities located in Visayas and Mindanao will also be given access. De La Peña added that there’s also a plan for building an NMR lab for Mindanao in the future.
Filipino scientists currently in the United States of America have shown interest in working at the upcoming NMR.