partial fulfillment Of the requirements

INTERNSHIP AT PLANT BREEDING, GENETICS, AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
DIVISION, DROUGHT GROUP, INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEACH INSTITUTE,LOS
BAÑOS, LAGUNA

A Narrative Report
Submitted to the Faculty of the
Biological Sciences Department,
Collage of Arts and Sciences,
Cavite State University,
Indang, Cavite

In partial fulfillment
Of the requirements for
BIOL 99 ( On- The-Job Training)

CHRISTINE JIRAH C. DUCA

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Biological Science Department

This narrative report entitled

INTERNSHIP AT PLANT BREEDING, GENETICS, AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
DIVISION, DROUGHT GROUP, INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEACH INSTITUTE,
LOS BAÑOS LAGUNA

Prepared and submitted by CHRISTINE JIRAH C. DUCA has been approved and accepted as
partial fulfillment of the requirements for BIOL 99 (OJT).

MA. VERONICA P. PEÑAFLORIDA
OJT Coordinator

MA. CYNTHIA R. DELA CRUZ, DVM
Department Chair

APPROVED

LYNN G. PENALES, PhD
Dean

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

The author was born on the 19th day of January year 1995 in Parañaque City. She is the
eldest daughter of Mr. Christopher O. Duca and Mrs. Julieta C. Duca. She has a younger sister
who’s currently taking up Bachelor of Science in Architechture at the Technological University
of the Philippines. She is currently residing at Barangay Punta 1 Tanza, Cavite.
She finished her elementary education at Chanceteam Christian Academy Inc. Barangay
Punta 1, Tanza, Cavite in 2007. She attained her secondary education at Chanceteam Christian
Academy Inc. Barangay Punta 1 Tanza, Cavite in 2010. Currently she is taking up Bachelor of
Science in Biology for her senior year at Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

With deepest gratitude and appreciation, the author humbly gives thanks to the people
who helped her in making her On-the-Job Training at International Rice Research Institute a
possible one.
Professor Ma. Veronica P. Peñaflorida, on-the-job training coordinator, for giving her the
opportunity to work and be trained at IRRI, and for her patience and dedication in helping her to
accomplish all the needed requirements;
Mr. Brian Carlo A. Hipolito, on-the-job training coordinator of International Rice

Reseach Institute, for the warm welcome and great accommodation, for his patience in attending
all her questions and concerns;
Dr. Ma. Cynthia Dela Cruz, department chairperson, for her unlimited support and
insightful comments and concerns;
Faculty and staff of the Department of Biological Sciences, for their encouragement,
support and pieces of advice;
Karl John Dapula and Deolito Bicua, her schoolmates, for helping and encouraging her to
pursue her internship at IRRI;
Nelda Lyn R. Perey, her classmate, for being a great buddy and for being there all the
time and for all the unforgettable memories she shared;
Hazel, Vic, and Rell, her co-trainee from Mindanao, for the newly-established friendship
and for exercising her knowledge in Bisaya dialect;
Ms. Maria Ymber Reveche, assistant scientist and Molecular Marker Application
Laboratory lab-in-charge, for all the needed information she shared to the trainee and for her
great concern to everyone;

Ms. Ruth Ramirez, Ms. Margaret Catolos and Mr. John Ontoy, for offering another year
of summer internship that led her to work in different exciting projects, for sharing their
knowledge and experience, for their unlimited understanding when she made mistakes, and for
the newly-established friendship that will never be forgotten;

Tita Flor and Tita Cora, for the assistance and guidance while working in the laboratory;
Tita Nelie, for helping her financially and for the unlimited encouragement;
Tita Elvie, Tita Tess, Tita Bec, Tita Edna and Tito Bong for accompanying her during the
first day, for all the support and their infinite encouragement;
Her family, for serving as an inspiration to achieve all her dreams, for the unending love
and support for providing all her needs financially and morally, for their patience and
understanding during her tiring days that she can’t help them in the chores, for their never fading
advices and for being there no matter what;
Lastly to the Almighty God for all His unconditional love and for all the blessing He
showered, for His guidance during her training and making this On-the-Job Training a possible
one, for giving knowledge and wisdom in performing task and assignments, and for His unfailing
promises.

CHRISTINE JIRAH C. DUCA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA …………………………………………………………………….iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………………………………………..iv
LIST OF FIGURES…………………………………………………………………………….vi
LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………………..vii
LIST OF APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………….viii
INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………….1
Significance of OJT ……………………………………………………………………..
Objective of the Training ………………………………………………………………..
Time and Place of the Training…………………………………………………………..
THE LINKAGE INSTITUTION
Background
History
About International Rice Research Institute
Mission Statement of IRRI
Goal Statement of IRRI
Management
Policies
Responsibilities
Organizational Structure

THE TRAINING AREA

Department

Structure
Facilities
Equipment
Standard Operating Procedure
THE TRAINING EXPERIENCE
Task Performed
EVALUATION OF ACTUAL EXPERIENCE
Insights
Problem encountered
Suggestions and recommendations
SUMMARY
REFERENCES
APPENDICES

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

Page

1

The organizational Structure of International rice Research Institute

2

The organizational set-up of Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology

3

The organizational set-up of Drought Laboratory Group

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Components of the polyacrylamide gel
Components of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) cocktail

Components of 10X TBE buffer

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix

Page

1

Recommendation Letter

2

Appointment Letter

3

Curriculum Vitae

4

Plant Layout of IRRI

5

Daily Time Record

6

Protocol of the Group

7

Certificate of Completion

8

Evaluation Form

9

Photo Documentation

INTERNSHIP AT PLANT BREEDING, GENETICS, AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
DIVISION, DROUGHT GROUP, INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEACH INSTITUTE,LOS
BAÑOS, LAGUNA

Christine Jirah C. Duca

A narrative report submitted to the faculty of Biological Science Department, College of Arts and
Sciences, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. In partial fulfillment of the requirements for
BIOL 99 (On-the-Job Training). Prepared under the supervision of Prof. Ma. Veronica P.
Peñaflorida.

INTRODUCTION
Internship is a part of a college curriculum that intends to train and familiarize students
about work and their future career. It is a type of skill development where a worker learns how to
do the work through hands-on experience. It is one method by which students are exposed with
different work situation designed to give students an opportunity to experience and a chance to

apply the theories and computation that they have learned from school. It provides real world
experience to those looking to explore or gain the relevant knowledge and skills required to enter
into a particular career field.
On-the-Job training is also a way by which students are given an opportunity to apply all
their acquired learning from school. It also helps to obtain applicable knowledge and skills by
performing in actual work setting. Colleges and universities require their students to undergo
such training within a specific number of hours as part of the curriculum.
For students, this program provides opportunity to go through the actual methodologies
of a specific job using the real tools, equipments, documents and other materials. In effect the
working area becomes a training ground to learn more techniques and strategies about their
chosen field.

On the other hand, companies and institutions who accept interns gain profit from it.
First, inters gives extra manpower without paying high labor cost than a regular employee. Next,
most of them are eager to learn and do their best for their work which results for good product.
Interns can also give new and fresh ideas to the company or institution. They are able to
contribute significantly in brainstorming sessions, given that they have the opportunity to
converse minds and without hesitations. Their involvement can eventually help improve the
company or institutions productivity.
Having trainees or interns truly are beneficial not only to the students but also to the
companies and institutions that provide opportunities for this type of program. There is wisdom
in the front lines. This program training can be investment that we will be valuable to the
company later on. This is the reason why students should take their internship seriously because
it can be a powerful tool and possibly even a source of recommendation when they take a big lift
from being a student to a career professional.

Significance of On-the-Job Training

This is the part where brief description about the significance or the importance of the On
– the – Job training program to students.

On- the –Job training is an opportunity for applying and enhancing the acquired
knowledge in school in their particular field of course. It can also changes student’s outlook in
work through actual experience relevant to his/her specialization.
On – the – Job training can also be a stepping stone to a future career. It helps a trainee to
develop his/her interpersonal relationship with other employer within the company or
organization.
On – the – Job training helps students in becoming more acquainted with the real work.
Trainees can acquire different skills relevant to their field of specialization. It is a training where
real life work situations are happening around with real employees. Student will gain priceless
experience that they can treasure as they move forward for their future career.

Objective of On-the-job Training

Generally, On – the – job training aims to acquire different skills and knowledge related
to the trainee’s specialization and to experience and become more acquainted about the realities
of the task.

Specifically, it aims:


To let the trainee experience the realities of work with the most advance technologies and
around with the real employees.



To enhance trainee’s knowledge and skills acquired in school through work experiences.



To explore and make the trainee more acquainted about the different field related to his /
her course.



To provide opportunities for his/her future career.



To develop discipline, self confidence and a sense of responsibility in a real work place.

THE LINKAGE INTITUTION
History

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was established in 1960 by the Ford and
Rockefeller Foundations with the help and approval of the government of the Philippines. Today
IRRI is one of the 16 nonprofit international research and training centers supported by the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The CGIAR is sponsored
by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), and the United Nations Developments
Programmed (UNDP). The CGIAR consists of 40 donor countries, international and regional
organizations, and private foundations.
IRRI receives support, through the CGIAR, from a number of donors including the Asian
Development Bank, the European Economic Community, the Ford Foundation, the International
Development Research Centre, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the OPEC
Special Fund, the Rockefeller Foundation, UNDP, the World Bank, and the international aid
agencies of the following governments: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and
Unites States (Chandler, 1992)

International Rice Research Institute

International Rice Research Institute is a nonprofit independent research and training
organization. IRRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium.
IRRI develops new rice varieties and rice crop management techniques that help rice
farmers improve yield and quality of their rice in an environmentally sustainable way. They work
with the public and private sector partners in national agricultural research and extension systems
in major rice- growing countries to do research, training, and knowledge transfer. The social and
economic research also informs governments to help them formulate policy to improve the
equitable supply of rice (Chandler, 1992)

IRRI’s Mission Statement
To reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and
ensure environmental sustainability through collaborative research, partnerships and the
strengthening of national agricultural research and extension systems. (Chandler, 1992)

IRRI’s Goals


Reduce poverty through improved and diversified rice-based systems.



Ensure that rice production is sustainable and stable, has minimal negative environmental
impact, and can cope with climate change.



Improve the nutrition and health of poor rice consumers and rice farmers.



Provide equitable access to information and knowledge on rice and help develop the next
generation of rice scientists.



Provide rice scientists and producers with the genetic information and material they need
to develop improved technologies and enhance rice production.

IRRI’s goals contribute to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to
eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and ensure environmental sustainability. They are also
aligned with the objectives of the Global Rice Science Partnership that help their deliver
internationally coordinated research effectively and efficiently with their partners.
(Chandler, 1992)

IRRI's Policy on Intellectual Property Rights
Preamble
Whereas IRRI is a non-governmental, not for profit international organization dedicated
to reducing hunger and improving livelihood by developing and delivering superior rice
technologies, particularly for the poor and developing countries;
Whereas progress towards IRRI's mission relies on partnerships with many stakeholders,
including farmers, governments, national and international organizations, civil society and
the public and private sectors;
Whereas IRRI recognizes and respects the intellectual property and other rights of its
partners;
Whereas IRRI believes that the sustainable development of the rice industry relies on the
effective conservation, use, and facilitated international flow of diverse rice genetic
resources to develop and deploy a wide range of improved rice varieties;
Whereas IRRI recognizes the indispensable role of farmers, agricultural professionals,
and scientists inbreeding and conserving the genetic resources of rice;

Whereas IRRI ensures equal opportunities for all partners, but the nature, extent, and
particular conditions of each collaboration shall depend upon the circumstances attendant to
the relationship.
Whereas in discharging its responsibilities, IRRI accepts its obligation to comply with the
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resource for Food and Agriculture ("the Treaty"), and
all other relevant international treaties and agreements; IRRI now adopts the following
principles governing its intellectual property and its relationships with its stakeholders and
partners.
General Principles
Access
1. IRRI is committed to keeping its intellectual assets, including germplasm, inventions,
improvements, data, processes, technologies, software, trademarks, and publications, as
freely available as possible to any public or private sector entity.
2.

To the extent possible and when appropriate, publication or contractual provisions will
be used to ensure that such information, innovation, or material remains available for
use by the public and private sectors.

3. Provided it is fully consistent with IRRI's mandate, international agreements on genetic
resources, and IP policies of its donors and partners, IRRI may seek protection of its
intellectual assets or impose restrictions on its use by others.

Benefits
4. IRRI accepts that the primary beneficiaries of its research and training activities are the
rice farmers and consumers, especially in developing countries.

5. IRRI will use any revenue generated from management of its IP, including royalties and
licensing fees, to support its research and capacity-building programs and those of its
national partners.
Stewardship
6. IRRI shall ensure proper stewardship of its intellectual property as well as those
belonging to other parties for which permission to use has been granted. To this end,
IRRI will devise, maintain, and monitor employee policies on intellectual property rights
(and, if necessary, signed employee agreements) and policies or agreements to govern its
relations with visitors and research collaborators (including visiting scientists and
trainees) from other institutions.
7. In cases where IRRI protects or asserts intellectual property rights, it shall do so in the
name of the Institute as an assignee (or co-assignee as the cause may be) while
recognizing the individual scientist/s as inventor/s or author/s.
Rice Genetic Resources
8. IRRI is committed to the conservation, maintenance, and distribution of the rice
germplasm in its gene bank for the benefit of the global community. It will accept for
long-term conservation rice germplsm that can be distributed to others, and will agree to
distribution restrictions imposed by the donor only when refusal to accept such
restrictions would endanger the long-term preservation of the rice germplasm. The gene
bank will consider requests for "black box storage" of germplasm of other seed
propagated crops on agreed terms.
9. In accordance with the Treaty and all relevant biosafety, phytosanitary, import and xport
regulation, IRRI will supply samples of rice genetic esources, whether or not they are

conserved in the gene bank, to anyone anywhere for the purposes of research, breeding,
and training for food and agriculture, within the limits of capacity and availability and
provided they are not subject to IP or other contractual restrictions set by IRR’s
collaborators.
10. Through appropriate licensing mechanisms, IRRI will ensure that any IP is made
available in a manner that permits wide dissemination to the public and private sectors,
assures high quality of the technology, and benefits farmers and/or consumers
worldwide.
Biotechnological Innovations
11. IRRI recognizes that innovations in biotechnology offer unique or preferred routes to
developing important rice products, and that many of these advanced technologies
(methods and materials) may be formally protected or proprietary in a number of
countries.
12. When it is essential to access such advance technologies, IRRI may accept limitations on
the distribution of the derived and associated materials, but must ensure some access for
developing countries to these materials.
13. To ensure availability to developing countries of advanced biotechnological innovations,
IRRI may, when and where appropriate, apply for protection of its intellectual property
or provide it to a collaborator on a restricted basis. Through appropriate licensing
mechanisms, IRRI will ensure that such IP in made available in a manner that permits
wide dissemination to the public and private sectors, assures high quality of the
technology and benefits farmers.

Non-Rice Biological Materials
14. IRRI will supply samples of its collection of non-rice biological materials, such as
microbial strains, soil samples, green manure species and preserved insect specimens, to
anyone anywhere for purpose of research, within the limits of capacity and availability
and provided they are not subject to IP or other contractual restrictions set by IRRI’s
collaborators, in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity and all
relevant biosafety, phytosanitary, import, and expot regulations
15. Where it is appropriate and consistent with its mandate, IRRI may seek intellectual
property protection for certain of its non-biological materials.
Research Data and Software
16. Upon request, IRRI will release research data and software through collaboration
agreements, with appropriate disclaimers/warranty and subject to donor and
collaborative research partner condition.
Publication
17. IRRI will release its information productions (scientific, popular, and promotional
publications; Web pages: photographs, videos, and other multimedia presentations) as
much as possible under as suitable open content license, such as Creative Commons.
Such license shall allow copying, distribution, and the creation of derivative products;
prohibit commercialization without IRRI’s knowledge; and require attribution as well as
the release of derivative products under the same license as the original product was
released by IRRI. Crop and Resource Management Technologies, Agricultural and
Scientific Equipment and Tools, and Other Technologies.

18. IRRI will exercise its right in a manner that ensures their availability to any public and
private entity for the benefit of farmers. In exceptional cases, Such as to prevent
misappropriation or enhance wider dissemination of the technology, IRRI may seek
intellectual property protection for specific crop and resource management technologies
or tools, agricultural and scientific equipment, and other technologies.
Collaborative Relationships
19. IRRI shall enter into formalized collaborative relationships with the public and private
sectors, including civil organizations, when such relationships serve to further IRRI’s
mission, enhance the quality and impact of research, contribute to capacity building, and
ensure continued availability and delivery of information an inventions. Approved by the
Board Executive Committee on 16 August 2010. Confirmed by the Board o Trustees on
14 November 2010 Board meeting (International Rice Research Institute Board of
Trustee, 2010).

Responsibilities and accountability for risk management
General
1. Every staff member of the Institute shall be responsible for the effective management of
risk, including the identification of potentials risks, in his/her own areas of
responsibility. When staff identify potential risks in other areas of the Institute ‘s
operations that they feel are not being effectively managed, they are encouraged to
report these to IRRI management or internal audit. In sensitive cases in which a staff
member wishes to report a risk concern in confidence, the Institute will establish
communication channels and procedures for this.

2. All initiative o manage specific risks in such areas as research (including quality
management, intellectual property, and research ethics), grant management, occupational
health and safety, environmental management and biosafety, security, the International
Rice Genebank, finance, human resources, administration, information security, and
business continuity shall be deemed part of the risk management activities of the
Institute. Every staff member shall be responsible for observing specific policies,
identifying how they could be improved, and, if they feel the policies can be improved,
making recommendations to senior management or the Risk Management and Quality
Assurance Steering committee (RMQA-SC)]
3. Role of Organizational Unit (OU) Heads
OU heads shall be responsible for encouraging and implementing appropriate risk
management and quality assurance practice in their units, and shall be accountable to their
respective DDG or director for
-

implementing this risk management policy, and more detailed policies for specific
aspects of operations and administration, within their respective areas of responsibility;

-

promoting an environment within their units in which there is open communication on
risks and the adequacy of mitigation efforts, and good ideas to improve practice or take
connective measures are either taken up within the unit or recommended for Institutewide implementation;

-

designing and implementing an RMQA system in the OU, which is consistent with the
institute-wide RMQA system;

-

planning and implementing RMQA training activities at the OU level;

-

ensuring that risks are adequately analyzed, and this analysis documented, for all new
ventures and activities, including projects, processes, systems, and research activities,
carried out by their units;

-

overseeing the maintenance of their unit's components of the Institute's risk register;

-

reviewing the risk exposures identified in the assessments, and determining whether
these are acceptable or not based on their experience and judgment; and

-

implementing and reporting annually on the status of risk management and quality
assurance processes in their unit, as part of the Institute's annual planning and review
cycle;

Each OU shall have one or more risk management and quality assurance officer (RMQA-O)
from among unit staff to assist the unit with these responsibilities, and to liaise with the
Institute.

Level risk management function. RMQA-O responsibilities will normally be undertaken on
a part-time basis by staff within the unit. The DG shall establish and periodically review the
general terms of reference for the RMQA-Os and ensure that new RMQA-Os are properly
oriented and provided with ongoing training in their responsibilities.
4. Role of Deputy Director General and Directors
-

Deputy Director General (DDGs) and directors shall be accountable for strategic risk
management and quality assurance within areas under their control, including the
delegation of RMQA process to OU heads. Collectively, they shall be responsible for

promoting risk awareness and monitoring the environment within their OUs for open
communication on risks;
-

appointing RMQA-Os for their respective OUs;

-

ensuring that risks are adequate analyzed and this analysis documented, for all new
ventures and activities, including projects, processes, systems, and research activities,
carried out in their OUs;

-

participating with OU heads and staff in the identification and evaluation of strategic
risks that affect the institutes’ mission, for inclusion in the Institute-wide risk
assessment;

-

assigning priorities within their areas of responsibility for RMQA(e.g., implementation
of action plans, person-hours allotted for RMQA); and

-

reviewing progress against agreed-upon RMQA plans, including progress on initiatives
designed to enhance risk mitigation.

5. Role of the Risk Management and Quality Assurance Steering Committee (RMQASC)
The RMQA-SC has an Institute- wide oversight role in support of the DG to
ensure that all areas of the Institute are covered by effective risk management and quality
assurance processes. Accordingly, the RMQA-SC shall be composed of the DDGs and
directors, one or more research OU heads, the head of Operations, and the head of Safety
and Security Services. The DG shall establish and periodically review the membership of,
and terms of reference for, the committee, which shall include the following:

-

Overseeing the implementation of the Institute-wide risk management framework by
monitoring the status of risk management programs and initiatives across the Institute,
including recommending training programs;

-

Promoting risk awareness and monitoring the environment at the Institute level for open
communication on risk;

-

Determining the Institutes risk prioritization method;

-

Periodically reviewing the aggregated result of OU risk assessments, and identifying and
assessing strategic risks of an Institute-wide nature to determine the overall risk profile
of the Institute;

-

Ensuring that there is conservative and prudent recognition and disclosure, in reports on
the Institute’s risk profile, of the financial and non-financial implications of risks;

-

Recommending major action plans to the director general affecting the Institutes risk
profile or exposure;

-

Monitoring the status of actions taken or proposed in relation to significant residual

-

Renewing annually the Institutes approach to risk management and quality
assurance_________, if necessary, proposing to the DG changes to policy and approving
changes or improvements to key elements of the supporting risk management processes
and procedures; and

-

Renewing, prior to submission to the DG and BOT, Institute-level status reports on the
implementations of this policy and the results of risk assessments, and proposed annual
Board Statements on Risk Management and Internal Control.
The DG shall appoint an RMQA senior manager (RMQA-SC), reporting directly

to the DG, who shall assist the RMQA-SC by carrying out the necessary staff work,
including training and liaising with RMQA-Os, facilitating OU risk assessments, reviewing
the results of risk assessments and preparing summary reports, and overseeing the
maintenance of the Institute’s risk register and reporting system. The RMQA-SM shall act
as secretary to the RMQA-SC. The DG shall establish and periodically review the terms of
references of the RMOA-SM. The Internal Auditing Unit shall assist the RMOA-SM in an
advisory and facilitating role, and also act as a resource for the committee.

6. Role of the Director General (DG)
As the principal executive of the Institute, the DG shall have overall responsibility
for the implementation of effective risk management throughout the Institute. The DG
ensures that there is, at an Institute level, an effective control environment and supporting
processes so that risks and mitigation steps in place are periodically evaluated and that
appropriate and timely action is taken when risks have changed or when mitigation
measures need to be enhanced. The DG is assisted in this responsibility by the RMQA-SC,
the RMQA-SM, internal audit, and other independent review activities commissioned by the
Institute.
The DG shall ensure that risks are adequately analyzed, and this analysis
documented, for all new major Institute ventures and activities, including projects,
processes, systems, and research activities.
The DG shall review status reports and proposed annual Board Statements on
Risk Management and Internal Control, prepared by the RMQA-SM and reviewed by the
RMQA-SC, and independent assessments of these reports by internal audit, and decide on

recommendations contained therein. These reports shall be the basis of status reports
presented to the Board of Trustees.

7. Role of the Board of Trustees (BOT)
The BOT shall approve this policy and any amendments to reflect further
experience in its implementation (including improvement actions to address identified risk
exposures) through reports from the DG, senior management, RMQA-SM, internal and
external audit, and other independent review mechanisms.
The BOT shall consider the results of Institute-level risk assessment, and provide
further guidance on the assessment if necessary with regard to strategic risks that the BOT
believes may not be adequately addresses in the assessments. For this purpose, the BOT
shall provided with an analysis of the major risks identified through the Institute-level risk
assessments at least every six months, ahead of their regular meetings, and this will be
supplemented with reports in between these meetings where the DG determines that major
changes to the risk profile of the Institute have occurred and should be brought in the
attention of the BOT.
The BOT shall adopt, annually, a Board Statement on Risk Management and
Internal Control for the purposes of informing and assuring the Institute’s stakeholders about
its responsibilities with regard to oversight of risk management.
The BOT may assign specific responsibilities to oversee its standing committees
(International Rice Research Institute Board of trustee, 2008).

THE TRAINING AREA

PLANT BREEDING, GENETICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY DIVISION (PBGB)
Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) are a research division at the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) that encompasses the disciplines of plant breeding,
molecular biology, plant pathology, and genetics.

Research comprises:


Developing improved germplasm for major rice ecosystems: irrigated, rainfed lowland,
upland-aerobic, adverse soils, and temperate;



Discovering genes underlying the major traits manipulated in rice breeding—biotic and
abiotic stresses, yield and agronomic traits, and cooking and nutritional quality – and
transferring them into productive breeding lines;



Exploring novel breeding approaches such as wide hybridization, hybrid rice, molecular
markers, and genetic transformation; and



Enhancing the capacity of national Agricultural Research and Extension Systems
(NARES) to conduct genetics, molecular biology, and plant pathology research;
undertake effective breeding programs; and benefit from recent advances in genomics.

Structure
Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology (PBGB) is a two-storey building that
composed of different high quality laboratories that are used in genetics and molecular based
researches. The department is fully air-conditioned and well ventilated area. It also has fire exits
and fire extinguishers in its specific stations for emergency purposes. The laboratories also have
smoke detectors used also for early detection of fire or any chemical spill.

Facilities
Genetic Transformation Laboratory
It establishes efficient plant regeneration and genetic transformation systems for
different forage species; cloning of potentially useful agronomical genes and promoters;
and generation and characterization of transgenic forage plants with improved agronomic
characteristics.

Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory (PMBL)
The functions of plant cell related to environment adaptability are studied using
genetic engineering approaches. PMBL is used to characterize the key genes involved in
the adaption of plants to stress factors such as temperature, CO2, and pathogen invasion.
By analyzing the functions of these genes in detail, one can gain an understanding of the
molecular mechanisms by which plant adapt to their environments.

Wide Hybridization Laboratory
This is the area where the different rice plants are studied in order to develop its
ability and capability for hybridization. This is where some hybridization process is done
and being improved. They enhance the nutritional quality and yield quality of rice.

Molecular Breeding Laboratory
This is where the changing plat genetics are located to create new varieties with
increase in productivity and new value-added traits (or attributes). The breeding program
they use is to develop cultivars that have the potential for biotic and abiotic stresses to
forage production.

Molecular Marker Application Laboratory
The laboratory serves as a centralized facility to support research and training that
involve genomic approaches and high-throughput instrumentation. This laboratory
provides the infrastructure and research personnel to conduct gene expression analysis,
genotyping, mapping, and marker-assisted breeding.

Equipments

High quality and very reliable equipments are found in the PBGB laboratories.
Those were very useful for genetics and molecular based researches. Microarray, centrifuges,
refrigerators and freezers that vary in temperatures, Ultra Violet trans-illuminator, PAGE
(Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) and AGE (Agarose Gel Electrophoresis) apparatus,
spectrophotometry, confocal and fluorescence microscopes, and other equipments composes the
division laboratory.

Molecular Marker Application Laboratory (MMAL)

Code of Conduct and Work Ethics
Since it is established in 2001, the Molecular Marker Application Laboratory,
named then as the Gene Array and Molecular Marker Application Laboratory (GAMMA Lab),
has serve as an institute wide facility to support research and collaboration in genomics and
marker assisted breeding. The facility provides tools in conducting genetic analysis using simple
sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and a service for running single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
markers. Thus, it serves as a high-throughput genotyping facility for marker assisted breeding,
quantity trait locust (QTL) mapping and diversity analysis.
As a user, she is expected to be responsible in using the facility by giving her
outmost care in using any instrument and by abiding by the laboratory's rules and regulations
contained in this Code of Conduct. She must behave as a professional scientist and be respectful
and courteous to other lab users.
It must be remembered that safety is the No. 1 policy that must be observed in the
laboratory.
Please read the following material carefully. If you agree to support and abide by these
rules, please sign where indicated and return to Ms. Maria Ymber Reveche, Assistant
Scientist MMA Lab In-Charge
The following general rules are strictly enforced. Violating these rules will result in the
temporary suspension of access to MMAL or your prohibition from working in the Lab until
proper administrative action is imposed.

1. Please read the instrument's User's Manual or ask other knowledgeable users before
operating any equipment. Do not use equipment unless you are certain how to operate it.

Always log in your name and other required information in the logbooks provided for
each equipment right before or after each use.
2. Never bring out any machine, equipment, and computer from the laboratory without
informing the Lab In-charge.
3. Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the specific
laboratory applications you will be performing.
a) A laboratory coat and lab shoes are must when working in the lab.
b) Using safety glasses/goggles and the appropriate mask are must when performing
extraction experiments and preparing solutions.
c) Use all the appropriate type of gloves for specific protocols especially when
handling any toxic or carcinogenic chemicals (e.g., acrylamide, chloroform,
phenol/Trizol, B-mercaptoethanol etc.) this can be decided by going through a
specific chemical’s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
d) Do not touch any equipment/furniture or anything that you are wearing (e.g.,
glasses, clothing, door knobs, even hair, etc.) with contaminated gloves.
e) For those with long hair, a ponytail or hairnet is required when working in the lab
to prevent hair from being contaminated with chemicals or getting in the way of
equipment use.
4. Every laboratory user must know the potential hazard and safety precautions related to
their work (i.e., chemicals and experiment protocols being used). The MSDS
accompanying every chemical contains information for its proper handling.
5. Develop laboratory work practices for individual experiments, such as those that involve
hazardous chemicals and should be conducted only in a ventilated hood (i.e.,

phenol/Trizol, chloroform, B-mercaptoethanol, TEMED, acrylamide and other solvents
and acids). Most hazardous experiments should be done in the fume hood. This includes
DNA and RNA extraction and preparing acrylamide solutions.
6. After using any chemical or buffer designated for general use, please return it to its
original proper storage.
7. Most enzymes are expensive. Keep the enzyme at -20 °C. Plan the quantity to be used
before taking them out of the freezer. Keep them on ice while working on the bench top,
and return them to the freezer immediately after using.
8. Storage refrigerators and freezers are either assigned to specific group or communal.
Make sure to label your materials properly, and do not use storage space that assigned to
the other group.
a) For chemical reagents, please include the following information in your label: 1)
name of reagent – spelled out and not by chemical formula, 2) date prepared, 3)
appropriate warning/cautions signs, and 4) name of the person who prepared the
reagent.
b) For biological materials, label the container (e.g. box, plastic bag, etc.) with the
following information: 1) type the biological material – e.g. “ice DNA”, “rice
leaf tissue”, “E.coli clones”, etc., 2) name of the materials – e.g. F2 population
from IR64XMoroberekan cross, and 3) date materials were generated and name
of the person responsible for them.
9. Please use your own reagents, solutions, buffer, etc. Please do not use others “stuffs”
without asking permission first. Using your own reagents can also avoid unexplainable
results after conducting your experiment.

10. When using hazardous chemicals, do not work alone in the laboratory especially and
during weekends. Arrange to work with other users for safety purposes.
11. In case there is necessity to work even when alone, inform the guard on duty at the
NCBL desk that you are in the lab so they can check on you from time to time. Know
where the phones are and note the number to call in case of an emergency. These are
posted on or near the phones.
12. Never allow unauthorized user (e.g., friend, classmate, relative, etc.) to work in the lab or
use computers. Special arrangement can be made through a formal letter of request to use
any facility in the lab.
13. Lab computers are for legitimate use only. Downloading illegal software is prohibited.
Using the computers for non-work related activities is strongly discourage, as it reduces
lab efficiency and may disturb others who are trying to work.
14. Behavior that is offensive or disruptive to other lab users/staff will not be tolerated.
Administrative action will imposed accordingly.
15. All accidents (incidents) must be reported to the Lab In-charge immediately, no matter
how small. This will be then reported to the safety office, so that necessary precautionary
measures will be taken.
16. No smoking, eating, and drinking are allowed in the laboratory. Do not store foods in the
chemical refrigerators. Food should be limited only within the premises of MMAL
kitchen.
17. Never wear o bring lab coats to food is consumed. Leave it in the lab or hang it on the
gown rack provided for in the lab.
18. Good housekeeping practices should be observed in all work areas.

Specific Safety Guidelines
In the event of an accident involving a chemical being swallowed, inhaled,
splashed on the skin, or in eye, you must be aware and follow standard treatments indicated
below.

Injuries
Any injury, however slight may appear, must be treated immediately. There are,
however, some general procedures that may be followed in an emergency.

Splash on the skin
If spills any toxic or corrosive material on, you should wash it off immediately
with copious quantities o water before seeking first aid treatment. Even a few seconds may save
a serious burn; make sure she knows where the emergency showers are. Clean the contaminated
skin area with soap facilities removal of chemicals insoluble in water. Remove all contaminated
clothing.

Splashes in the Eyes

If any chemicals splash in your eyes, you must wash the eyes thoroughly with the
eye baths provided. Familiarize yourself with their location and operation. Ensure that the
eyelids are kept open so that the eyeball is thoroughly bathed during washing. A doctor should
immediately examine all eye injuries from chemicals.

Inhalation accident
The injured person should be removed from the danger area into fresh air and
his/her clothing loosened around the neck. Someone qualified in first aid must be summoned
immediately.

Ingestion of poisonous chemical
If the ingestion is confined to the mouth, wash mouth with copious quantities of
water, ensuring that the mouthwash is not swallowed. If the chemicals has been swallowed,
consume a lot of water to dilute it in stomach (except for the chemicals that may react
adversely with water – check the MSDS). Do not induce vomiting. Medical attention must be
sought immediately in all cases.

Burns and Cuts
If you receive any burns or cut yourself or swallow any material that is toxic, seek
first aid at once.

You must be also aware of the following signs / marking in the lab:

You must cooperate in observing regulations provided for your safety. You must
familiarize yourself with the locations of the nearest EXITS routes from the laboratory. There are
three emergency exits leading out of the building: one located in the adjacent corridor, the second
one outside the lab near the elevator and the third is the main entrance / exit door.

You must locate and know how to operate the emergency shower and eye baths.
You should also locate and familiarize yourself with the firefighting equipment – fire
extinguishers and the fire alarms, which are located along the corridors.

Avoid entering areas or move away from areas which are prohibited.
You must be aware, through the cautionary information provided, of potential
dangers involve in handling of chemicals used in your experiments. Be sure to read the
accompanying Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical you use.

The following are rules / guidelines in using specific equipment / facilities in MMAL:
SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) Genotyping- Related Equipment

The following equipment is operated on a cost-per-sample basis as part of IRRI’s
Sample preparation and SNP Genotyping Services, and can be operated only by trained and
authorized personnel. Please see the MMA Lab Manager, Dr. Michael Thomson, or the Lab Incharge if you interested in using the service.
1. Illumina BeadXpress system and SNP Analysis computer work station
2. Fluidigm SNP Genotyping system (EP1 Reader, IFC Controllers- WX, RX and HX, FC1
Thermal Cycler)
3. Aurora Versa Mini NAP Liquid Handling System
4. Thermo Scienific Kingfisher Flex 96 Purification System
5. Thermo Scientific Nano drop ND800
Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) vertical rig reservation guidelines:
There are 20 units of PAGE vertical rigs available in MMAL. These rigs have
been distributed to the groups according to the size of each group. Glass plates and other
accessories (i.e. gaskets, spacers, and combs) are considered as consumables and should be
provided for by the respective groups. However, for short term (3-4 months) users like OJTs or
inters, a special arrangement can be made to borrow PAGE accessories.
Horizontal rig/Mupid gel tanks (standard agarose) reservation guidelines:
1.

Please reserve gel tanks by posting a note (with name and date of reservation) on it at
least a day before the schedule.

2. Please indicate what buffer was used, e.g. TAE or TBE, and the date of buffer used.
3. Always wash the molders, spacers and combs after use. Dry them on the draining rack.

Using the ALEGRA 25R 21R centrifuge

1. When changing rotors, do not adjust the tie-down screw “too high” or “too loose” into the
drive shaft. If it is too high, it will cause misalignment of tracks in the drives shaft. It is
even more dangerous if it is adjusted too loose because the rotor might detach from the
drive shaft and destroy from the drive shaft and destroy the chamber. Just enough
“tightening” of the tie-down screw is OK.
2. When changing rotors, please gently place the rotor in a straight “Y” axis, until it
perfectly sits on the drive shaft. Never force the rotor sideways or drop unto the drive
shaft.
3. Always wipe clean the chamber of the chamber of the centrifuge especially when water
accumulates inside after a low temperature run is performed. Set the temperature back to
21°C after a low temperature setting run.
4. Always be sure that your samples are balanced.
5. In case of spill / leakage, clean the rotor immediately and thoroughly especially if your
materials contain toxic substances or solvents (Trizol, chloroform, phenol, etc.)
6. When using the “swing bucket rotor”, always place the 4 buckets even if you place
samples in only 2 of the buckets. This will maintain the balance of the rotors.
7. Please clean the adapters (commonly used: 50ml and 15ml falcon tube adapters) and the
swinging bucket rotors after each use specially if there are spills/leakage. Leak/spill is
very common when doing DNA/RNA extraction, especially during long runs at low
temperature.
8. In cleaning the buckets and adapters, remove the adapters from the buckets. Wash the
buckets and the adapters thoroughly using the BECKMAN solution 555 ROTOR
cleaning concentrate (blue in color).

Operating the Geno/Grinder 2000
1. Turn on the switch located at the back part of the machine.
2. Loading and sealing titer plates


Load the n96-well titer plate with samples



Use the grinder ball dispenser to load 4mm stainless steel grinding ball in
each well



Seal the plate with a fitted/silicone mat and place in the geno grinder

3. Clamping the titer plates in place


Place the loaded, sealed 96-well titer plate in each half of the clamp base



Place a clamp lid on the top of each titer plate



Flip the clamp catches up to engage the strike plates on both ends of the lid,
then push both catches down

(Note: If the titer plates are loosened, unclamp the lids and add spacers
underneath the titer plates)
4. Setting the clamp stroke rate


The clamp stroke rate is set with two controls, the rate control knob and the
1X/ 0.5X toggle switch on 1X)

5. Setting the timer



Set the running time with the four unmarked buttons underneath the timer
display. Each button