National Scientist Dr. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz, a biochemist from the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines Diliman, is the first Filipino and the first recipient from the ASEAN region to be honoured as one of the five laureates of the prestigious L’oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science.

Out of nearly thousand nominees worldwide, Dr. Cruz was selected and recognized by a jury led by Nobel Prize winner Gunter Blobel for her pioneering research on Conotoxins, toxins from marine snails that led to the development of non-addictive morphine. Three decades ago, she worked in collaboration with Dr. Baldomero Olivera of the University of Utah for the isolation and characterization of peptides from the venom of Conus, a marine snail found in the Philippines. One of these peptides was developed by the US biotechnology firm Cognetix Corporation in producing the Prialt Ziconotodine, a non-addictive alternative drug to morphine. Nowadays, conotoxins are use by scientists as biochemical probes to investigate the activity of the human brain.

Dr. Cruz, together with the other four laureates, received $100,000 each and was conferred in the awarding ceremony held last March at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The prestigious award is given annually to women in science (one exceptional female scientist per continent), who contributed to scientific advancement in the field of Life Sciences.

Dr. Cruz has authored more than 130 scientific publications including amino acids and proteins from rice grains and prawns. She has been engaged in researches on algal blooms in the Philippines that involve paralytic shellfish poisoning or “red tide” and anti-tuberculosis compounds from marine organisms. Her notable works in biochemistry earned her recognition and achievements such as National Scientist in 2006, the highest honor conferred by the Philippine government for exemplary contributions to science; the second Filipino to receive the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award in 2001; and the only Filipino who received the Sven Brohult Award given by the International Foundation for Science (IFS) in 1993.

View details of the award at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/loreal_unesco_awards_and_fellowships_for_women_in_science_2010_to_be_presented_at_unesco/back/18256/.

See related information at http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/sundaylifestyle/sundaylifestyle/view/20100314-258476/Filipina-is-first-Asean-winner-of-LOral-Unesco-Science-Award.

For additional updates on biotechnology in the Philippines, please visit www.bic.searca.org or e-mail bic@agri.searca.org. (Rochella B. Lapitan, SEARCA BIC)

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator & Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: jap at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-2290 loc 169 or 406
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-4105
URL: www.bic.searca.org