Basidiomycetous fungi are ubiquitous organism thriving mostly in forest ecosystem. A study of these group of fungi was conducted at Mt. Palaypalay Protected Landscape (MPPL) in Southern Luzon, Philippines. This protected landscape was categorized by National Integrated Protected Areas System as one of the priority areas for biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to document the existence of Basidiomycetes in the Landscape. Collection and photo-documentations of fungi were done during the months of December 2014 to June 2015. Fungal sampling was done using Transect Line (TL) with a combination of quadrat and opportunistic sampling methods. Three transect lines, one kilometer each was laid out from baseline of 100 masl up to 500 masl. Ten quadrats of 15m x 20m with an interval of 250m were established for each TL. Fleshy and woody Basidiomycetous species were collected, identified, and characterized based on established dichotomous keys. Of the 434 specimens collected, there were 24 families, 37 genera, and 41 species identified. The Landscape is currently experiencing some degree of anthropogenic disturbances such as minor forest products gathering, slash-and-burn farming, and quarrying. Fungal diversity research efforts need to be encouraged to evaluate the effects of these human disruptions on the ecology of the Landscape.

This review discusses microbial forensics as an emerging science that finds application in protecting human health. It is important to distinguish naturally acquired infections from those caused by the intentional release of microorganisms to the environment. This information is crucial in formulating procedures against the spread of infectious diseases and prosecuting persons who may be involved in acts of biocrime, bioterrorism, or biowarfare. A comparison between epidemiological investigations and microbial forensic investigations is provided. In addition, a discussion on how microbial forensics strengthens health systems is included in this review. Microbial forensic investigations and epidemiologic examinations employ similar concepts and involve identifying and characterising the microbe of interest. Both fields require formulating an appropriate case definition, determining a pathogen’s mode of transmission, and identifying the source(s) of infection. However, the two subdisciplines differ in their objectives. An epidemiological investigation aims to identify the pathogen’s source to prevent the spread of the disease. Microbial forensics focuses on source-tracking to facilitate the prosecution of persons responsible for the spread of a pathogen. Both fields use molecular techniques in analysing and comparing DNA, gene products, and biomolecules to identify and characterise the microorganisms of interest. We included case studies to show methods used in microbial forensic investigations, a brief discussion of the public significance of microbial forensic systems, and a roadmap for establishing a system at a national level. This system is expected to strengthen a country’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies. Several factors must be considered in establishing national microbial forensic systems. First is the inherent ubiquity, diversity, and adaptability of microorganisms that warrants the use of robust and accurate molecular typing systems. Second, the availability of facilities and scientists who have been trained in epidemiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and data analytics. Human resources and infrastructure are critical requirements because formulating strategies and allocating resources in times of infectious disease outbreaks must be data-driven. Establishing and maintaining a national microbial forensic system to strengthen capacities in conducting forensic and epidemiological investigations should be prioritised by all countries, accompanied by a national policy that sets the legislative framework and provides for the system’s financial requirements.

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The ocean boasts untapped novel producers of antibiotic substances in the form of unicellular organisms. One of the newest bioproducers of pharmacologically-significant substances studied for its potential against clinically-significant pathogens is the genus Pseudoalteromonas, a gammaproteobacterial group. This study is a preliminary report detailing the isolation of a Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra species from Philippine marine waters. The isolate coded as PAM-003 was identified as 100 % similar to P. flavipulchra strain NCIMB2033 through 16s rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. PAM-003 was allowed to produce bioactives for 12 days. Afterwards, non-polar products were isolated from the base medium through membrane filtration, organic solvent extraction and rotary evaporation. The crude solution of bioactives injected in sterile discs was used for disc-diffusion assay against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Results indicate that PAM-003 demonstrated visually-appreciable zones of inhibition with a mean value of 8 mm. To further describe the antibacterial activity of the isolate, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the bacterial extract was determined through broth microdilution technique. Results indicate that PAM-003 demonstrated a MIC of 1000 µg/mL against MRSA. Additional investigation on the bioactivity of Philippine isolates from the genus Pseudoalteromonas isolated from highly diverse regions of the country is a considerable initiative for increasing the pipeline of new molecular entities for drug discovery.