last updated: 7 September 2000

Cantera, Jose Jason

Short Biography

Jose Jason Laudato Cantera is currently a PhD student at the International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Japan. His research is concerned on the evolutionary relationship of the photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria. Specifically, he is tracking the origin of photosynthesis in a particular group of bacteria by sequence analysis of the genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis.

He received his Master of Science in Microbiology degree (his thesis is focused on the immunological detection of microbial toxin) from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1998, and his BS degree in Biology (Major in Microbiology) from the same university in 1994.

He is a member of the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry, and the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. (PSM). He was conferred as registered microbiologist by the Philippine Academy of Microbiologist (PAM) in 1998.

Research fields:

• Molecular systematics of phototrophic bacteria and nodule-forming bacteria using genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and nitrogen fixation
• Molecular taxonomy
• Microbial diversity

Additional keywords:

• Phylogeny
• Evolution
• Diversity