This award was granted for her dedicated research on microprotein developed from soybean boiling water.

Dr. Wikandari has been conducting research on microproteins for approximately four years. According to her, microproteins are an alternative protein with nutritional content between meat and soybeans. 

Its amino acid content is also more complete than that of soybeans. Microprotein itself is made from the mycelium of tempeh mushrooms grown in a liquid medium. 

The harvested texture resembles dough, making it easy to shape into forms like meatballs or sausages. 

“However, there is still a need for development to make the texture of the harvested product similar to chicken meat,” Dr. Wikandari said on Tuesday (Feb. 4).

Regarding her expertise in food processing, Dr. Wikandari mentioned that this microprotein’s advantages go beyond its nutritional value. 

The production process is relatively short, taking just two days, and the yield can be up to one kilogram. Moreover, the reactor needed is only 1×1 meters in size, making it space-efficient. 

“The enzymes it contains can grow on various substrates, such as soybean boiling water,” she explained.

She added that in addition to its nutritional benefits, microprotein production can help address the waste problem generated by the tempeh industry and increase income for tempeh vendors. 

Currently, Dr. Wikandari is working on a sterilization model for the medium, and further research is being conducted on the reactor to simplify it for commercialization.

Dr. Wikandari’s research not only led her to win the Hitachi Award but also earned her several other awards, including the L’Oreal – Unesco for Women in Science National Fellowship 2024 Award Academy.

Dr. Wikandari noted that this award motivated her even more to continue making tangible contributions to society. She acknowledged that introducing this research to the public posed its challenges. 

The lecturer explained that Indonesian society tends to be resistant to new food products, a phenomenon known as food neophobia. However, the mushrooms used in microprotein are the same as those found in tempeh, so there is no need to be concerned about consuming microprotein products. 

“It does need to be cooked beforehand, as it contains RNA that could potentially cause gout, but the microprotein product is safe to consume, just like tempeh,” she said.

In December 2024, Dr. Wikandari introduced microprotein to the public by collaborating with a chef to prepare it as spaghetti. The public response was positive, and many enjoyed the microprotein dish. They remarked that its texture was similar to sausage.

Dr. Wikandari hopes that the research on alternative food potential she has developed can help solve societal problems by exploring and utilizing local food resources.

Author: Jelita Agustine

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Photos by: Firsto and Shutterstock

Artikel Investigating Microprotein Benefits in Tempeh Mushrooms, Dr. Rachma Wikandari Wins Hitachi Award pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The event, themed on the development and utilization of natural products for human well-being, brought together representatives from countries including Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and China.  

Professor Catur Sugiyanto, a professor from the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), participated in this international conference. 

Speaking to journalists on Friday (Jan. 3), Professor Sugiyanto highlighted that the URSWAP forum serves as a global platform for discussing innovations based on environmentally friendly and sustainable natural resources. 

During the seminar session, which was part of the conference activities, he presented a paper titled “Applying Contract Farming to Mangrove Farmers: Supporting Natural Dye Sources from Mangrove.” 

In his presentation, he discussed the potential application of contract farming models for mangrove farmers in Kampung Laut, Cilacap Regency, Central Java Province.  

“This research supports the Shanghai Institute of Material Medica (SIMM) program by utilizing natural dyes from mangroves as healthier alternatives for humans,” he said.  

As a member of the Institute for Natural Dyes Innovation (INDI) UGM, Professor Sugiyanto emphasized that natural dyes are also more environmentally friendly compared to synthetic dyes, supporting sustainable practices in the textile industry. 

He further explained that mangrove preservation is crucial as a source of natural dyes and plays an essential role in protecting coastal communities from erosion and rising sea levels due to climate change. 

“Mangroves provide habitats for various fish and marine species, contributing to the sustainability of fishery resources. Additionally, mangroves hold significant potential for development as ecotourism destinations, which could increase the income of local communities,” he added.  

In the proposed contract farming model, Professor Sugiyanto suggested that mangrove farmers collaborate with the textile industry, such as Gama Indigo under INDI UGM, to produce and market natural dyes extracted from mangrove bark. 

Through this approach, the mangrove ecosystem could serve as an economic resource and be preserved for future generations.  

According to him, the model includes technical support, market access, and community-based management to ensure quality and adherence to environmental standards. 

He also noted that implementing contract farming could provide stable economic incentives for mangrove farmers while ensuring the sustainability of mangrove ecosystems. 

“This program directly supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals. With the collaborative support of SIMM, UNESCO, ANSO, and URSWAP, the various approaches proposed are expected to inspire cross-sector cooperation in promoting human well-being and global environmental sustainability,” he concluded.  

Report by: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho

Artikel Professor Catur Sugiyanto of UGM Participates in International Conference on Natural Product Utilization for Well-being in China pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

In addressing this challenge, UGM has downstreamed the innovation of the Gadjah Mada Gogo Rancah 7 (Gamagora) rice variety into the product Presokazi Premium Rice. Professor Taryono, the lead researcher, explained that the Presokazi rice innovation is aimed at addressing nutrient deficiencies.

Nutrient deficiencies, such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), in children and pregnant women can hinder children’s growth and lead to stunting. 

Rice, the Indonesian people’s staple food, offers a promising option due to its affordability and high accessibility. Presokazi rice is produced from the cultivation of the Gamagora 7 rice variety using Super Smart Fertilizer (SSF), another innovation by PIAT UGM. 

“The concept and research on biofortification, which involves enhancing the nutritional content of food through cultivation, has long been conceived, but the Presokazi rice project only began in 2023,” Professor Taryono explained on Friday (Dec. 27).

After recognizing its strategic value, a team of food researchers from the Department of Agricultural Cultivation, UGM Faculty of Agriculture, conducted the development research of Presokazi rice in collaboration with the private sector. 

The Gamagora 7 rice variety was initially developed to address climate change issues affecting farmers’ harvests. Compared to other rice types, Gamagora 7 is more resistant to environmental conditions and climate change. 

It continues to grow in dryland and rain-fed fields, proving resilient against pests such as brown planthoppers. 

Additionally, Gamagora 7 has a shorter harvest period of approximately 104 days and a potential yield of up to 9.8 tons per hectare, making it an attractive option for farmers to cultivate this nutrient-rich variety.

According to Professor Taryono, despite its original purpose, Gamagora 7 coincidentally produced high-quality, soft-textured rice that is rich in protein. 

“The use of soil conditioner from agricultural waste-based super-smart fertilizers was able to increase the iron and zinc content,” he stated. 

The research was implemented directly on community land in Klaten, Central Java, and Ngawi, East Java, leading to the idea of creating the premium rice product Presokazi.

Professor Taryono acknowledged that the process of downstream research to become a commercial product was not easy. It required high additional production costs in soil conditioning, planting, and harvesting processes. 

Significant costs were also incurred in developing the SSF fertilizer mixture. Additionally, there were challenges garnering farmers’ interest in growing Gamagora 7 rice, as it is still relatively new and unfamiliar to the public.

So far, the downstream of Gamagora 7 research has collaborated with two industries, namely PT Tunas Widji Inti Nayottama (TWINN) and PT Agri Sparta. With its various advantages and benefits in addressing agro-complex issues, Professor Taryono hopes that Presokazi rice will attract industrial interest for commercialization. 

“Several companies are interested in using the Presokazi rice development technology, and there are even private companies interested in directly marketing the rice,” he concluded.

Author: Tasya

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afif

Artikel UGM Launches Presokazi Premium Rice to Help Combat Stunting pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This application aims to simplify accounting studies by integrating theory and practice into a single digital platform, a Learning Management System (LMS).  

“The innovation of the digital learning platform SIDEK-Edu is expected to make accounting easier to learn and to eliminate its daunting perception among some individuals,” said Dr. Warsono at FEB UGM on Thursday, Dec. 19.  

Dr. Warsono explained that SIDEK-Edu is designed with three main features. The first feature is a theory room containing learning materials on accounting concepts and theories. 

This feature allows users to upload various teaching materials and quizzes in formats such as multiple-choice questions, journal illustrations, essays, and financial reporting.  

The second feature is a practice room to facilitate students in conducting digital accounting practices. This practical learning feature includes basic company data setup, financial recording and reporting, and the presentation of evaluation results from completed practical activities.  

The third feature is a learning support module, which comprises class management, automated assessment of quizzes, and practical accounting cycle assignments.  

Dr. Warsono emphasized that SIDEK-Edu makes accounting learning more convenient through its practical and efficient system. Students only need to access the application website to download teaching materials, take quizzes, and perform accounting exercises directly on the platform. 

“SIDEK-Edu provides a solution to overcome the challenges of learning accounting that previously required multiple platforms,” he said.  

According to Dr. Warsono, the Digital Practice Room feature in SIDEK-Edu enables students to replace paper-based practices with a more efficient digital system, making accounting learning more modern and environmentally friendly. 

“SIDEK-Edu combines the functionality of Google Classroom with accounting software. No more paper is needed because everything is digital,” he added.  

SIDEK-Edu is implemented in over 20 vocational schools (SMKs) and two universities across Sumatra and Java. 

These include Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Pasir Pengaraian, SMK Dr Soetomo Surabaya, SMK Negeri 1 Pengasih, SMK 1 Tamtama Sidareja, SMK Negeri 1 Terbanggi Besar, SMK Negeri 1 Seputih Surabaya, and SMK Negeri 1 Metro.  

The application has proven beneficial in supporting accounting education and providing financial literacy to vocational school students in underdeveloped areas. 

For example, in July 2024, students at SMK Negeri 1 Teluk Bintuni, West Papua, received intensive training in accounting, institutional finance, and accounting software.  

Dr. Arika Artiningsih, Center for Accounting Education Studies (PKAP) Coordinator at FEB UGM, added that SIDEK-Edu was also used for an online accounting competition in Lampung Province involving more than 70 vocational schools. 

The application has been utilized in university and national-level accounting competitions, including the National Accounting Olympiad organized by the Gadjah Mada Accounting Student Association (Imagama).  

“With its various advanced features, SIDEK-Edu is expected to continue growing and widely used, particularly in accounting education in Indonesia. This innovation demonstrates how technology integration can positively impact education and human resource development,” she concluded.  

Reporters: FEB UGM/Shofi Hawa Anjani & Kurnia Ekaptiningrum

Author: Agung Nugroho 

Artikel UGM Lecturers Develop SIDEK-Edu App to Simplify Learning Accounting pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This award, granted by the Ministry of Higher Education, is given to individuals with an outstanding track record in implementing the tri-dharma and who have created various innovations that contribute to society.  

According to Professor Ana, her Academic Leader award signifies a new responsibility or mandate from Universitas Gadjah Mada and the government. The mandate refers explicitly to how an academic leader can encourage the emergence of more young leaders for our shared future. 

“For me, this award is a new responsibility from UGM and the government on how an academic leader can encourage more young leaders to emerge for our shared future in the health sector,” she stated.  

Professor Ana conveyed that her achievement would not have been possible without the support of many people and that many parties were involved in supporting the execution of her contributions. 

According to her, lecturers and researchers should be engaged in discussions and provided with facilities to support research execution, while the government should act as a matchmaker between researchers, practitioners, and the industry. 

“I think we lecturers and researchers need to be engaged in dialogue, given challenges, and provided with facilities. What do we want to achieve in a given time? The government must also act as a matchmaker between researchers, practitioners, and industry,” Professor Ana said.  

As for the professor’s contributions in the academic field, one of them includes mentoring, research, and publications in internationally reputable journals with Q1 and Q2 indices. 

Additionally, Professor Ana has created three innovative products with significant benefits and impact in the medical world. 

These innovative products are carbonate apatite (CHA)–based bone grafts, CHA-based hemostatic sponges for dental-maxillofacial surgery, and CHA-based hemostatic sponges for general surgery.  

She explained that the driving force behind her contributions is to ease the burden borne by patients, whether financial burdens or difficulties in obtaining healthy tissue for autografts, a procedure that transfers healthy tissue to diseased tissue. 

“Initially, of course, we tried to focus on developing our research according to the roadmap we had created. At some point, we realized that our research could ease patients’ burdens by replacing existing products in the market that were imported and expensive or through methods requiring healthy tissue transplantation to the diseased tissue,” Professor Ana explained.  

The use of CHA active ingredients in her innovative products has made the hemostatic sponge from her research widely applicable in society and even surpasses imported medical products. 

“Now, if we look at the medical device market in Indonesia, thank God, our hemostatic sponge product has proven superior with its CHA active ingredient and is widely used, surpassing and replacing imported products,” She said.  

Professor Ana’s innovative products also have the advantages of being produced with advanced technology, are environmentally friendly, and are comparatively cheaper than imported products. Additionally, they have the potential for future regenerative therapies. 

“Our innovations are produced with advanced, environmentally friendly technology, cheaper than imported medical devices, and have potential for future regenerative therapies,” she added.  

Professor Ana faced many challenges and obstacles while researching how to create these innovative products. One of the challenges in conducting her research is that Indonesia’s research climate and system still need improvement to achieve greater benefits. 

“The challenge is Indonesia’s research climate and system, which still need to be collectively built towards greater benefits. Researchers must also contribute to this by continuously advancing their research in their respective fields,” she said.  

Author: Hanif  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson 

Artikel Professor Ika Dewi Ana of UGM Wins Academic Leader Award in Health pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The award, presented by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, recognizes outstanding contributions by academics and researchers. The ceremony took place on Friday (Dec. 13) at Graha Diktisaintek, Jakarta.  

Professor Daryono was awarded for his research, “Genetic Characterization and Bioprospecting Potential of ‘Gama Melon Parfum’ as a Cosmetic Ingredient.” He expressed his gratitude and highlighted the importance of utilizing Indonesia’s natural resources for societal benefits.  

“I am grateful and delighted by this recognition, which motivates me and my colleagues—faculty, staff, and students—to continue contributing to the nation,” he said during an interview at UGM on Wednesday (Dec. 18).  

Through modern biotechnological approaches, Professor Daryono developed a unique Gama Melon Parfum cultivar by crossbreeding two parental strains, NO3 and MR5. The resulting melon is small, with a bitter taste but a distinct, strong aroma. This aroma is extracted and processed into cosmetic products, including perfumes.  

“The Gama Melon Parfum has unique genetic characteristics. It contains cucurbitacins and other secondary metabolites that are highly valuable for the cosmetics industry,” explained Professor Daryono.  

Indonesia’s cosmetics market is dominated by imported products, often leading to higher prices. Professor Daryono’s innovation leverages local resources, promoting affordability and sustainability and reducing dependency on imports.

Each Gama Melon Parfum plant can produce 4–10 fruits weighing between 50 and 400 grams, with a harvest period of just 55–58 days. This innovation enhances the local cosmetics industry and supports eco-friendly production.  

Two products derived from Gama Melon Parfum—shampoos and soaps—have been commercialized. 

The shampoo is marketed under the brand NAHLA. It was developed in collaboration with PT Gizi Indonesia and PT Nudira Sumber Daya Indonesia through the Productive Innovative Research Program (RISPRO)-LPDP. Production is carried out in hydroponic greenhouses in Pangalengan, West Java.  

The research team is also investigating the anticancer and antidiabetic potential of Gama Melon Parfum’s bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins. 

“This unique cultivar must continue to be developed,” said Professor Daryono.  

The cultivation of innovative plant varieties like Gama Melon Parfum is expected to boost the welfare of local farmers while fostering national self-reliance in the cosmetics and geomedical industries.  

Professor Daryono hopes his achievement inspires fellow academics and students to explore Indonesia’s biodiversity further. 

“As academics, our duty is to uncover the potential of Indonesia’s natural diversity. Let this award be a turning point for us to continue creating for the nation,” he concluded.  

Author: Tasya  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson 

Artikel UGM Professor Receives Academic Leader Award for Developing Melons as Cosmetic Ingredients pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

With additional funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the World Mosquito Program (WMP), the project is taking place in four cities: West Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, and Kupang. 

Previously, the Wolbachia project was conducted in Bontang and is scheduled for completion in early 2025.

The funding provided by DFAT is said to support the project’s expansion to new areas in the four cities next year. 

“This funding is complementary, supplementing the state budget (APBN) that has already been allocated. This money will be used to complete the project in these four cities next year,” explained Dr. Riris Andono Ahmad, Director of PKT UGM, on Monday (Dec. 16).

The additional funding from DFAT is channeled through the Partnership for Healthy Region Initiative scheme, which aims to support the sustainability of the Wolbachia-based dengue control program. 

Bekti Andari, WMP Asia Project Manager for Communication & Engagement, stated that the pilot project implementation of Wolbachia technology in five cities has been progressing well. However, some activities could be improved with additional funding support. 

“The funding from DFAT is used to fill the gap in the activities that have been outlined,” she said.

Further, Andari explained that the DFAT funding had been allocated for specific activities, including project management, community engagement, consumables, bucket placement and monitoring, data and mapping management, mosquito egg production at Udayana University, and cross-sectoral issues using the GEDSI approach (gender equality, disability, and social inclusion). 

“We must ensure that this program also benefits vulnerable communities,” she added.

The DFAT funding complements the government budget funds that were previously used. 

This is certainly good news for the pilot project initiated by the Ministry of Health with the support of PKT UGM, which is expected to be a complementary method for reducing the number of DBD cases in Indonesia, especially in areas where the project is being implemented.

Author: Lintang  

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Artikel Fighting DBD, UGM Applies Wolbachia Technology in Four Major Cities pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

This event, organized by the Semarang City Office of Communication, Informatics, Statistics, and Encryption, was part of the 53rd KORPRI Anniversary celebrations. 

The festival featured two main activities: an ICT innovation competition based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Vocational High Schools and Universities in Semarang City and an ICT innovation exhibition. 

UGM, as one of the guests, also attended to showcase its leading innovations.

On this occasion, DTETI presented a technology developed by final-year students through their Capstone Project, the Zenith B-08, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) mechanism. 

Dean FT UGM and DTETI lecturer Professor Selo revealed that the Zenith B-08 could take off and land vertically anywhere without requiring a runway to deliver medical supplies to hard-to-reach locations. 

“The tilt mechanism on the Zenith B-08 is specially designed, allowing the aircraft to transition from hover mode to forward flight mode directly in the air. This is one of the key advantages this project offers,” Dean Selo explained.

The public’s enthusiasm for visiting the UGM booth encouraged the DTETI team to enthusiastically serve and explain each question. 

The Zenith B-08 team occasionally demonstrated the prototype’s performance to help visitors better understand the drone’s capabilities. Professor Selo hopes this event will bring DTETI closer to people from various backgrounds. 

“We also hope that after this, more friends from high schools and vocational schools will be interested in joining and learning at UGM, especially in DTETI,” he concluded.

The ICT Innovation Exhibition became a showcase for technological achievements from various prestigious institutions besides UGM, such as the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Regional Research and Innovation Agency (BRIDA), and several Regional Government Organizations (OPD) in Semarang City. 

This event embraced the spirit of collaboration and innovation in supporting sustainable digital transformation in Semarang City. 

Through this festival, the Semarang City Office of Communication, Informatics, Statistics, and Encryption hopes to inspire the younger generation to innovate in technology. Digital transformation is a key factor in realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.

Author: Triya Andriyani

Photo: DTETI

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Showcases Zenith B-08 Drone at Semarang City Information and Communication Technology Festival pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Now ready for mass production, this innovation is set to support healthcare services, particularly in medical screenings, medical check-ups (MCUs), emergency services (extremities), and diagnostics. 

Professor Suparta has been researching RSFD since 1990, even before the rapid advancement of computer and internet technologies. 

With funding from various research schemes supported by the Ministry of Research and Technology, intensive RSFD research began in 2000 at the Department of Physics, FMIPA UGM, involving students and research partners.  

“Hopefully, this tool can inspire UGM researchers because the process of commercializing research results is incredibly challenging, costly, time-consuming, and exhausting,” he reflected on Monday (Nov. 28).  

The RSFD technology, now branded as DDR Madeena, stands for Direct Digital Radiography, with “Madeena” representing the spirit of Made-in-Indonesia. 

Professor Suparta recounted the licensing challenges during DDR Madeena’s commercialization process amid the COVID-19 pandemic through the TFRIC-19 program in 2021. 

“In 2020, RSFD was included among 40 technologies to mitigate COVID-19 risks. However, its downstream process was delayed when BPPT merged into the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) in 2022,” he explained.  

Since 2022, DDR Madeena’s commercialization has been continued by PT Madeena Karya Indonesia, which secured a distribution permit as a domestic medical device (AKD) from the Ministry of Health (No. 21501220581, issued on Nov. 17, 2022) for its Medical Image Digitizer (MMD) product, under the trade name Madeena X-Ray Medical Diagnostic Equipment. 

Additionally, DDR Madeena has earned a Domestic Content Level (TKDN) certificate with a score of 57.62% and is listed in the national e-catalog. Thus, government-funded procurements (APBN, APBD, or other public funds) are mandated to purchase this product.  

“With this achievement, my duty as an academic and researcher to oversee the commercialization of research results is complete,” Professor Suparta remarked.  

To enhance user confidence, beta testing, and teleradiology were conducted to validate the quality of the domestically produced device against international standards. 

PT Madeena Karya Indonesia facilitated beta testing involving human volunteers at the Pratama Clinic, managed by the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (FK Undiksha), Singaraja, Bali. 

Results confirmed that DDR Madeena successfully generated readable thorax and extremities radiographic images, earning FK Undiksha’s recommendation for safe use in hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and clinics.  

The DDR Madeena’s comprehensive features include lead knock-down room radiation protection, a DICOM viewer, a PACS archiving system, and teleradiology capabilities. These enable radiologists to transmit and read radiographic images remotely. 

This aligns with Indonesia’s digital health transformation goals outlined in Health Law No. 17 of 2023 and Government Regulation No. 24 of 2024.  

“This tool significantly enhances accessible healthcare services across the country, provided there is internet and cloud data storage connectivity,” Professor Suparta stated.  

The system, developed by PT Madeena Karya Indonesia and branded as the Madeena Health Care System (MHCS), aims to optimize Indonesia’s limited 2,200 radiologists. The MHCS system could eventually adopt AI-based diagnostic tools. 

Professor Suparta expressed hope for the government’s commitment to supporting domestic products like DDR Madeena through gradual production, continuous monitoring, and improvements.  

“The device supports health screenings, MCUs, emergency services, and diagnoses of TB, chronic pulmonary diseases (COPD), and cancer. It may also be used for pediatric examinations, such as assessing physical growth in stunted children,” he explained.  

Professor Suparta encouraged companies and organizations concerned with public health to participate in DDR Madeena’s production and installation through health-focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs or joint radiography service ventures in clinics and hospitals. 

“Hopefully, UGM can develop more progressive and disruptive strategies to ensure academic research translates into societal applications, driving the national economy,” he concluded.  

Author: Triya Andriyani  

Artikel DDR Madeena: UGM Researchers’ Digital Radiography Innovation Ready for Mass Production pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.

It allows for the rapid identification of pathogenic microorganisms, a deeper understanding of the genetics of specific species, and accurate ecosystem mapping. These applications support researchers in tackling issues at various scales, from cellular to ecosystem levels.

On Nov. 15-16, the Faculty of Biology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Biology UGM) held a mini-workshop highlighting key developments in molecular biology and the latest technologies in sequencing and metabarcoding data analysis. The workshop aimed at understanding microbiome composition and identifying organisms at the molecular level. 

“Participants also had the opportunity to learn directly from practitioners and experts who are partners of Biology UGM,” said the Dean of Biology UGM, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, in a written statement sent on Monday (Nov. 18).

Professor Daryono mentioned that this mini-workshop, organized as part of the Biology UGM’s Research Day, involved several of the faculty’s leading laboratories, such as the Microbiology Laboratory and the Genetics and Breeding Laboratory, to provide practical experience for the participants.

In the first session, participants learned about the Promega Maxwell Automated DNA/RNA Extraction and DNA QC using the Agilent Tapestation, essential for ensuring accurate research results at the molecular level. 

The second session focused on ONT Sequencing and metabarcoding Data Analysis, explaining how to use the latest technologies in sequencing and metabarcoding data analysis to understand microbiome composition and identify organisms at the molecular level.

With the theme of Molecular Biology, this research day, according to Daryono, served as an event to disseminate research and community service outcomes while introducing the latest technologies in biology to the wider public. 

“We want to highlight the importance of biology in human life, from molecular-level research to ecosystem dynamics,” he said.

The Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Collaboration at Biology UGM, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, noted that this research exhibition activity has strengthened cooperation between universities, industries, and the community, serving as a catalyst for research and innovation in the field of biology.

Meanwhile, Ririn Tri Nurhayati, Head of the Research Program Sub-directorate from UGM’s Directorate of Research, also attended and expressed appreciation for the successful organization of Research Day as a platform to benefit society through advances in knowledge and technology. 

“Research Day is a platform to transfer knowledge related to technology to the public through a mini-workshop supported by advanced equipment,” said Nurhayati.

Author: Leony

Editor: Gusti Grehenson

Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya

Artikel UGM Introduces Cutting-Edge Technology in Molecular Biology pertama kali tampil pada Universitas Gadjah Mada.