Wednesday, 9 August 2023, a research discussion was held between the Research Center of Food Biotechnology at Bina Nusantara University (BINUS) and lecturers from Faculty of Biology UGM. The discussion was attended by Dr. Nesti F. Sianipar, S.P., M.Si. as Head of Research Center of Food Biotechnology BINUS and Khoirunnisa Assidqi, S.Pi., M.Si. as a lecturer from the Research Center of Food Biotechnology BINUS. From the Faculty of Biology attended by the Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaborations, and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc., Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc. from the Biotechnology Laboratory, Dra. Tuty Arisuryanti, M.Sc., Ph.D. and Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc. from the Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding, and Prof. Dr. Kumala Dewi, M.Sc.St. from the Plant Physiology Laboratory.
During the discussion, Dr. Nesti presented ongoing research projects for the last 10 years at the BINUS Research Center of Food Biotechnology. The research focuses on the development of Keladi Tikus as a functional food and its development into a cancer prevention product. Dr. Nesti also conveyed a road map of research that has been and will be carried out related to the project. In addition, she also conveyed the TORPEDO Banana development project, Pisang Tanduk with genetic mutations to increase their morphology size without reducing or changing the quality of these bananas. Dr. Nesti also expressed his hopes regarding the potential for research collaboration with expert lecturers at the Faculty of Biology including further education collaboration for young lecturers at BINUS to the Faculty of Biology through a by research scheme.
Dr. Eko welcomed the potential for research collaboration as well as the potential for research collaboration with students of the Faculty of Biology UGM at the Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral levels. The potential for this collaboration can be supported by expert lecturers from the Faculty of Biology including Prof. Endang with his research focusing on genetic engineering and genome editing, Dra. Tuty Arisuryanti, Ph.D. with research focusing on population diversity as well as bioinformatics, Dr. Niken with research focusing on human genetics, especially thalassemia and Prof. Kumala who is an expert in Plant Physiology, as well as Dr. Eko with microalgae research.
The potential for collaboration to obtain funding support and human resources support is very possible. Dr. Nesti appreciates the support from the Faculty of Biology UGM and hopes that the collaboration can be realized and implemented to improve the quality of research in the future and to benefit both the Research Center of Food Biotechnology and the Faculty of Biology UGM.
