Narrative Report
The Annual International Research Colloquium between Ehime University (EU) andDe La Salle University (DLSU) with the theme “Recent trends in biological control:Interdisciplinary approaches for vector-borne diseases and agricultural pestmanagement.” was held on February 20, 2024 at the 2nd floor, Room 212 of General
Research Building No. 2, Johoku campus, Ehime University. It was organized by theEU-DLSU International Collaborative Research Laboratory (ICRL) with thephysical address in De La Salle University (DLSU), Laguna Campus and theMolecular Ecology and Health (MECOH) Laboratory of Ehime University. The
symposium was sponsored by the Leading Academia in Marine and Environment
Pollution Research (LaMer). It was attended by 21 participants, 3 and 18 from DLSUand EU, respectively (Figure 1). The participants were mainly from the MECOH
laboratory members. There were three speakers from the De La Salle University(DLSU).

Figure 1. Participants of the Annual International Research Colloquium between Ehime
University (EU) and De La Salle University (DLSU). February 20, 2024.

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The symposium convened professors, researchers and graduate students of the twouniversities and to exchange research results from the research activities conductedat the ICRL and MECOH laboratories. The objective of the symposium was topresent and discuss the current technological and interdisciplinary researchadvances from ecological, biochemical, molecular, and computational approaches todevelop or improve biological control strategies. The three presentations covered
biological control of viral, microbial, and insect pests in agriculture, naturalresources, and urban environments. The symposium highlighted the importance of
biological control as an environmentally sound and effective means for reducing ormitigating pests and pest effects through the use of biologically based technologies.
The program of activities is shown in Appendix 1. Dr. Kozo Watanabe delivered thewelcome remarks and officially opened the symposium (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Dr. Koso Watanabe, CMES Professor, delivered the welcome remarks.
Below are the abstracts of the talk of the 3 speakers:
Speaker 1: Dr. Divina M. Amalin (Figure 3)
Title: Biological Control Approaches in the Management of Pests of Some High Value
Crops in the Philippines
Abstract: The use of conventional pesticides often leads to toxic residues, pestresistance, evolving secondary pests, and pest resurgence just to name a few
unwelcome outcomes. In the long term, they are not only dangerous to theenvironment but also hazardous to human health. Thus, there is a need foralternative pest solution through biologically-based approaches. A variety ofsolutions are available with advances in modern agriculture, such as: use ofbiological control agents, microbial pesticides, pest-behavior modifying
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chemicals, genetic manipulation of pest populations, and plant immunization.
These technologies play a crucial role in producing high quality of food andoften generate more income for the farmers. This talk will highlight the ongoing research on biologically based pest control system in the Philippines.

Figure 3. Dr. Divina Amalin, CENSER Director, DLSU presented the topic on the“Biological Control Approaches in the Management of Pests of Some High
Value Crops in the Philippines”
Speaker 2: Mr. Kris Lord Santos (Figure 4)
Title: “Chemical Ecology and Biological Control: Applications in the Control of Insect
Pests of Medical and Agricultural Importance"
Abstract: Biological control is an environmentally sound method that can be used toreduce reliance on harmful pesticides. Strategies for biological control involves
consideration of the complex interactions among plants, insect pests and theirnatural enemies. In this aspect, chemical ecology plays an important role sincethese complex interactions are often mediated by chemical cues. In this lecture,
the intersections between chemical ecology and biological control will bediscussed. In addition, emerging technologies and approaches that involve
application of chemical ecology-based principles on biological control programsof insect pests of medical and agricultural importance will be highlighted.

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Figure 4. Mr. Kris Lord Santos, Senior Research Specialist, BCRU-DLSU, presented
the topic “Chemical Ecology and Biological Control: Applications in theControl of Insect Pests of Medical and Agricultural Importance"
Speaker 3: Dr. Ana Karen Laserna (Figure 5)
Title: “Metabolomics as a tool in the assessment of biological control”
Abstract: Metabolomics involves the simultaneous and often comprehensive analysisof small molecules called metabolites, which are vital components of anyorganism. This analytical approach can provide novel and in-depth insights
into the biological system under study. It can be used for various applications,such as in clinical, environmental, food and nutrition, and agriculturalresearch. In this presentation, an overview of what metabolomics is and some
applications in various research areas will be discussed. Studies involving theuse of metabolomics in the profiling of biological agents, host-pathogen
interaction, and development of herbivore resistance and susceptibility will
also be presented.

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Figure 5. Dr. Ana Karen Laserna, Academic Service Faculty, CIF-DLSU, presented
the topic on “Metabolomics as a tool in the assessment of biological control”
Open Forum followed after the talks (Figure 6). The discussion was very engaging.
Future research collaborations were identified by the participants between theDLSU and EU.

Figure 6. Open forum after the presentations of the three speakers.

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APPENDIX 1
Annual International Research Colloquium between Ehime University (EU) andDe La Salle University (DLSU)
February 20, 2024
2nd floor, Room 212 of General Research Building No. 2,
Johoku campus, Ehime University

TimeActivity

15:30

Opening Remarks

Kozo Watanabe
Professor, CMES, Ehime University

15:40

Speaker 1

Divina Amalin
Director, CENSER, DLSU

16:00

Speaker 2Ana Karen Laserna
Academic Service Faculty
CIF, DLSU

16:40

Speaker 3

Kris Lord SantosSenior Research Specialist
BCRU-CENSER, DLSU

17:00

Open Forum7 / 7