In recent years, sequencing technology has become one of the innovative solutions for analyzing genomes. Today, sequencing technology is able to answer various challenges in research related to the biology of humans, plants, animals, pathogens, and the environment. For this reason, in an effort to develop knowledge, innovation and skills in research, on January 28-29 2023 one of the UGM Faculty of Biology lecturers, Dr. dr. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP&E, M.Biomed attended a seminar which was held in a hybrid manner, followed by a workshop and a Lab Tour organized by PT Genomic Solidaritas Indonesia (GSI Lab) and took place at the Indonesia Institute for Life Science (iL3) in Jakarta.
The topic of the Webinar was “Multiple PCR-Based Nanopore Sequencing and Epidemiological Research” delivered by Prof. Won-Keun Kim, Ph.D, from the Department of Microbiology College of Medicine Haliyim University. He conveyed the need and importance of research on viruses, related to “Recent Emerging Virus Outbreaks and Infectious Disease”. Genomic surveillance and epidemiological studies continue to be carried out to identify sources and origins of infection, track the spread of pathogens, understand the evolutionary process of emerging viruses, so as to be able to analyze and predict the occurrence of endemics, especially those caused by viruses. On this occasion, various researches related to rodent-borne Paramyxovirus in various countries were presented which infect vertebrates from fish to mammals.
At the workshop, Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) was introduced as a sequencing technology that can be used in a variety of genomic applications, such as genome mapping, mutation identification, as well as analysis of genomic variability, from which accurate, real-time genome data can be obtained with processing time. which is faster. Dr.rer.nat. Aril Aditya Parikesit, S.Si., M.Si, presented the use of this technology for pathogen identification, antibiotic resistance, and other studies. He also explained why sequencing is needed and how we plan and carry out nanopore sequencing. For this reason, it is necessary to prepare 4 main things in research with this technology, namely “background intention, sample type, methods, and results analysis”. On this occasion, the 40 workshop participants were divided into 5 groups and carried out sequencing practices. This activity ended with a GSI Lab Lab-Tour at PT Genomic, on Sultan Agung Road, Guntur, Setiabudi Jakarta, which begins with an explanation of various laboratories with their facilities, functions and level of security, and continues with visits to various laboratory rooms along with the latest equipment for sequencing and other services.
