Yogyakarta, 9 November 2023 – As part of its commitment to expanding its network in the international arena, Faculty of Biology UGM has initiated another collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU). The online meeting was held attended by Prof. Peter Solomon as Director of The ARC Training Center in Plant Biosecurity and Sarah Adams as Business Development Manager at the Australian National University. From the Faculty of Biology UGM was attended by Dr. Eko Agus Suyono as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, Nur Indah Septriani, Ph.D. as Head of the International Affairs Office, Faculty of Biology, Rina Sri Kasiamdari, Ph.D. from the Plant Systematics Laboratory, and Dr. Aprilia Sufi Subiastuti from the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM.

The Australian Research Center (ARC) Training Center in Plant Biosecurity is a study center at the Australian National University which collaborates with various parties including institutions, research institutes, universities, and stakeholders both in Australia and in other countries. Through his presentation, Prof. Peter explained the urgency of plant biosecurity in its role to prevent and overcome pests and diseases in plants which indirectly impact the economy and the environment. The training center also focuses on developing new technologies in plant biosecurity research. Prof. Peter also said that the training center does not only focus on research development but also on developing capabilities and facilities for researchers. He revealed that at least 17 doctoral students and 4 post-doctoral students from various countries and institutions expected to be involved in the training center and research center.

Dr. Eko expressed his appreciation for the collaboration initiative with ANU, especially with the ARC Training Center in Plant Biosecurity. He said that this collaboration could be developed towards more specific collaborations, including workshops and certification for lecturers and researchers, as well as research and publication collaboration between researchers at the Faculty of Biology and ANU as well as other researchers who could collaborate through the development of training and research centers at the best universities in Australia. the. This is also related to the development of a study center at the Faculty of Biology UGM, the Study Center for Biodiversity, Bioprospecting, and Biosecurity. Dr. Eko also revealed plans to extend cooperation with ANU and opportunities to explore collaboration with various research and publication funding schemes in the future.

This meeting is a step for the Faculty of Biology to improve the quality of education by collaborating with partners at the international level as well as building good relationships, especially with the Australian National University, which has been established since 2017. In addition, this collaboration is a commitment from the UGM Faculty of Biology in supporting sustainable development and in accordance with sustainable development targets (SDGs), namely good quality education (SDGs 4) and revitalization of global partnerships (SDGs 17).

The event took place at the meeting hall of RW 06, Dukuh Mrican, Kalurahan Catur Tunggal, Kapanewon Depok, introducing various ‘Living Pharmacy’ and nutritious vegetables that are highly beneficial and can support family food resilience. Following the meeting featuring speakers Dr. Djoko Santosa, M.Sc, and Dr. Dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, DAP&E, M.Biomed, the activity proceeded with land preparation in four Neighborhood Associations (RW), namely RW 04, 06, 07, and 08.

This initiative, ongoing from October to November, prepared land in these four RWs for planting TOGA and vegetable seedlings, nurturing them, conducting planting, maintenance, harvesting, and post-harvest monitoring. One of the prepared lands covers an area of 540 square meters, managed by the village fund, capable of accommodating TOGA seedlings and various vegetable plants. Additionally, utilizing lands along the riverbanks has provided positive engagement for PKK members, particularly those involved in the Srikandi Women Farmers Group. Geographically, the Mrican hamlet (specifically RW 04, 06, 07, and 08) is considered a suburban area since its environment exhibits urban characteristics. To the west, there are two large universities, while to the east, there are densely populated settlements, characterized by steep conditions, separated by Gejayan Street.

The dissemination and practical guidance on land cultivation procedures, planting, and fertilization were conducted in September by Dwi Ummi Siswanti, S.Si., M.Sc, and Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto, S.Si., M.Kes.. The vegetables planted include chili, tomatoes, white eggplants, purple eggplants, red spinach, green spinach, cabbage, purple cabbage, lettuce, celery, etc. Additionally, a hydroponic system was established for lettuce. As for the prepared TOGA, they include red betel leaves, green betel leaves, turmeric, temulawak, lesser galangal, red ginger, lemongrass, sand ginger, and several other plants.

Organic waste processing is a method of managing waste derived from organic materials, such as food scraps, leaves, and other organic matter that can naturally decompose. The goal of organic waste processing is to reduce negative environmental impacts and utilize the potential energy or products that can be generated from organic waste. Managing waste is a positive activity to mitigate various negative impacts caused by waste, both on the environment and human health. Therefore, it is important to implement sustainable waste management practices, such as recycling, reducing plastic usage, and educating the community about the importance of environmental cleanliness. Additionally, governments, communities, and the private sector need to collaborate to create sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 12, which emphasizes sustainable waste management as a form of responsibility for consumption and production.

The Faculty of Biology at UGM once again received a visit from Kemantren Jetis, Yogyakarta, to learn about organic waste management using Bio Ferti 2023. “This activity aims to support the growth of family awareness in improving the quality of environmental sustainability, especially in Kemantren Jetis and in the Special Region of Yogyakarta in general,” said Mr. Joko Sularno, Chairman of the Kemantren Jetis Waste Bank Forum, in his remarks.

The event was summarized in the Strengthening Workshop for the Cadres of the Kemantren Jetis Waste Bank on Friday, November 10, 2023, at the Tropical Biology Auditorium and the Organic Waste Processing Area of the Faculty of Biology at UGM and was attended by 40 people, including cadres from the Kemantren Jetis Waste Bank and Waste Bank Groups at the RW level in Kemantren Jetis. The workshop was divided into two sessions: the first session included presentations and an introduction to organic waste processing at the Faculty of Biology at UGM, while the second session involved observing the practical process of organic waste processing by the UGM Faculty of Biology Waste Management Task Force.

Mrs. Zaenab, Acting Head of the Kemakmuran Office of Kemantren Jetis, expressed gratitude to Mr. Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto, S.Si., M.Kes., Chairman of the Waste Management Task Force at the Faculty of Biology at UGM, and to the leaders of the Faculty of Biology at UGM for granting permission and welcoming the group to learn about organic waste management using Bio Ferti 2023. She hoped that the participants would bring back useful knowledge after the visit.

On Friday, 10 November 2023 was held collection, identification, and culture of House Dust Mites (HDM), especially from the Dermatophagoides genus in the Laboratory of the Department of Parasitology at FKKMK UGM. The activity was attended by students from the Medical Program, including IUP class (5 students), Regular class (3 students), and 1 student from the Master’s Program in Medicine. The event was conducted with Dr. Dra. Rr. Upiek Ngesti Wibawaning Astuti, B.Sc., DAP&E, M.Biomed as the instructor, along with Rizkiani Amalia, S.Si., M.Sc, and assisted by Mrs. Kuswati. This activity was aimed to introduce the collection of HDM, perform identification, purification, and continue with cultivation.

House Dust Mites are microscopic and can be found in almost every dusty area in homes, especially in regions with a tropical climate like Indonesia. They belong to the Phylum Arthropoda, Class Arachnida, Order Acarina. These mites are known to trigger allergies on the skin and respiratory tract. Ths activity focused on differentiating between Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides ferinae, both in males and females.

This activity, especially the cultivation and differentiation of species, is expected to support research related to HDM. This includes testing food preferences, environmental suitability, density, reproduction, allergen proteins, and much more. Furthermore, this activity provides students with skills and motivation to develop research-based knowledge with HDM.

The Nusantara Capital (IKN) designated to be located in the Penajam Paser Utara and Kutai Kertanegara regencies, is designed to be built with the concept of a forest city. In this concept, the majority of the IKN area consists of green open spaces, including both city forests and city parks in the Core Government Center area and its surrounding areas. The implementation of the forest city concept, which is planned to be 75% green open spaces, even requires the establishment of district parks and village parks. In order to realize this concept, Universitas Gadjah Mada has been entrusted by the Nusantara Capital Authority to develop a forest management plan for the IKN region. The UGM team assigned to this task comes from various faculties and fields of study, including the Faculty of Forestry, Engineering, Law, and Biology.

The Faculty of Biology was represented by Prof. Dr. Ratna Susandarini, M.Sc., from the Plant Systematics Laboratory. The role of the Plant Systematics lecturer in the team is to determine the plant composition suitable for each type of green open space in IKN. The selection of tree, shrub, bush, and herb species that make up the vegetation in various types of green open spaces considers several aspects, including maintaining biodiversity by including endemic plant species from Kalimantan and plants with ecological and aesthetic functions. The UGM team carrying out these tasks held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in Balikpapan on November 9, 2023, followed by field surveys on November 10, 2023.

The FGD on the IKN Biodiversity Master Plan, held in a hybrid format, was attended by representatives from government agencies managing forests, academics, and non-governmental organizations that have interacted with the community in the IKN region. The input from these stakeholders gathered through the FGD will be taken into consideration in the preparation of documents for forest management planning and guidelines for green open space landscapes in IKN. During the field survey, several areas visited included mangrove areas, land designated for the forest city, and the Bukit Bangkirai Natural Tourism Park as a reference ecosystem.

[MBKM] Microalgae is known for its benefits, typically used as an additional feed ingredient in aquaculture, microalgae plays a role in weight gain and enhancing disease resistance in fish. This particular topic was pursued by the MBKM Research Team from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, consisting of Dimas Anggoro Putranto, Hardian Ridho Alfalah, and Rahmi Ramadhani Putri.

The research project was titled ‘In Silico Study of the Potential of Microalgae as an Immunostimulant Feed Source for Eel.’ This research aimed to explore the potential of microalgae: Chlorella sp, Nannochloropsis sp, and Spirulina sp. The MBKM research activities collaborated with INBIO to develop innovations and enhance students’ skills in the fields of bioinformatics and biomolecular studies. INBIO (Indonesia Bioinformatics and Biomolecular) is an institution specializing in bioinformatics and biomolecular analysis services in Indonesia. Apart from conducting research, the students also had the opportunity to intern at Inbio for one year. During the MBKM activities, the students identified microalgae and performed extractions using maceration methods for phytochemical content analysis using GC-MS. Additionally, they conducted research on target proteins in the PDB and ligand in PubChem. The students also prepared proteins and ligands, followed by docking processes, interaction visualization, and data analysis.

According to Nur Indah Septriani, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., the supervising lecturer, this initiative marks the initial steps in further research on the potential of microalgae as an immunostimulant feed source for eel. This research endeavor aims to create innovations beneficial to society. ‘Through this MBKM research program, we hope students can broaden their perspectives not only within the campus but also beyond (related institutions), fostering an inclusive educational environment accessible to anyone, anywhere. This aligns with SDG number 4, which aims to enhance the quality of education,’ expressed Ms. Indah.”

Kombucha is one of the fermented beverages containing acetic acid bacteria with probiotic properties, beneficial as both a traditional and herbal drink. The presence of acetic acid bacteria with probiotic properties in kombucha makes it functional for the human body, including maintaining digestive health, enhancing the immune system, and supporting overall immunity. During storage, the quality of kombucha products may deteriorate due to improper conditions and duration of storage.

The Independent Learning Independent Campus (MBKM) Research Team from the Faculty of Biology, UGM, led by Prof. Dr. Endah Retnaningrum, M. Eng, along with Audy Syavanova, Khilin Shafa Nisa, and Virsandhita Althafio Ribowo, conducted research activities on testing the fermentation product of lemon tea kombucha “Kopi Oemah Martani” from August 28 to October 23, 2023. The quality of kombucha products stored at room temperature and in the refrigerator, each for 0, 7, and 14 days, was compared based on the observation of several test parameters. The analyzed test parameters included pH value, sugar content, acetic acid content, the amount of acetic acid bacteria, yeast, and coliform bacteria.The test results indicated that lemon tea kombucha products stored in the refrigerator for 7 days exhibited the best quality, with a taste and aroma preferred by the respondents.

[MBKM]- Plastic has become an inseparable part of modern human life, from clothing, food packaging, household tools, to building materials. Despite its various benefits, plastic poses a significant threat to the sustainability of life on Earth, with over 10 million tons of plastic waste released into the environment and oceans annually. Numerous efforts are ongoing to address this issue, one of which involves seeking alternatives to conventional plastic that are more eco-friendly and sustainable. One potential substitute is PHB or polyhydroxybutyrate, a biopolymer naturally found in various types of microorganisms. It’s believed to become the primary polymer for future plastic materials, replacing conventional petroleum-based plastic due to its biobased, biosynthesized, and biodegradable. Recognizing this challenge and opportunity, three students from the Faculty of Biology UGM, Azizah Tyas Nugrahanty, Bagas Alfian Dwiaryanda, and Lucia Arum Sekar Meysari, embarked on the Independent Learning- Independent Campus (MBKM), focusing on developing effective and efficient PHB-producing organisms by utilizing genetic transformation technology.

This MBKM program was conducted under the guidance of Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., from the Faculty of Biology, UGM, in collaboration with Raden Afif Pranaya Jati, S.P., M.Sc., from the Indonesian Bioinformatics Institute (INBIO-Indonesia). Throughout the research, the students engaged in various activities ranging from dry lab experiments to wet lab experiments. The study began with discussions regarding the selection of vectors and host microorganisms to be used. Subsequently, they designed plasmid vectors for genetic transformation and created primers to serve as markers for positive colony identification through colony PCR. The research then progressed to the wet lab phase at the Genetics and Breeding Laboratory at Faculty of Biology UGM, involving the preparation of competent cells, genetic transformation using the electroporation method, colony PCR followed by electrophoresis to confirm positive colonies carrying the target gene. As of now, the team has successfully incorporated synthetic genes constructed within the plasmid into bacterial cells as candidates for naturally producing PHB microorganisms.

The MBKM Thalassemia Research Team from the Faculty of Biology, UGM, consisting of four students Angeline Stefanny, Anisa Muliana, Mulyadi, and Veny Wulansari has undertaken a series of activities under the Independent Learning Independent Campus (MBKM) research program with the topic of Profiling and Genotyping Mutant Variants Causing Thalassemia in Family Members of the Thalassemia Parents Association (POPTI) in Magelang. This program collaborates with POPTI Magelang as an MBKM partner and involves Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, M.Sc., as the academic advisor, and Dr. Woro Triaksiwi Wulansari, M.Sc., Sp.A., the chairperson of POPTI Magelang and the Deputy Director General and Financial Manager of RSUD Tidar Magelang.

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder resulting from mutations in the synthesis of α and β-globin chains, causing a reduction or absence of one of the chains, leading to an imbalance in the synthesis of these two chains. The prevalence of this disease is increasing in Indonesia due to the relatively high rate of population migration. Therefore, molecular identification of mutant gene variants causing thalassemia in patient populations is necessary as a step towards screening thalassemia carriers within patient families to reduce the incidence of thalassemia carriers and births in the future. Currently, thalassemia carrier screening in patient families is limited to those with the means and understanding of thalassemia genetics. Hence, the MBKM Thalassemia Team is initiating a carrier screening program based on mutant variants causing thalassemia in these patients.

In implementing this program, observations were made regarding the conditions of thalassemia patients who are members of POPTI Magelang at RSUD Tidar Magelang. Data on the first-degree relatives or siblings of patients were collected as potential screening participants. The students also conducted an analysis to select the optimal or sensitive discrimination index (Mentzer, Matos and Carvalho, England and Fraser, King and Green, RBC, Shine and Lal, and Srivastava) for thalassemia screening in the Indonesian population. Additionally, they prepared for the optimization of the DNA sample isolation method and received training in bioinformatics before molecular data processing. Furthermore, a Family Gathering event was organized for POPTI Magelang members to strengthen family ties among members, accompanied by education on thalassemia and the importance of carrier screening by the UGM Thalassemia Research Team. This activity is expected to serve as an initiation in detecting thalassemia carriers within the patient families. However, there is still a need for education among the siblings of patients about the importance of undergoing thalassemia screening to determine whether they are carriers or not. Dr. Niken Satuti encourages and invites the community not to be afraid to undergo thalassemia screening but to fear not knowing whether one carries the thalassemia allele or not.

The Dean of Faculty Biology UGM Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, S.Si.,M.Agr.Sc.,Ph.D., served as keynote speaker in Training on Polyploidisation Technique and Cultivation to Enhance Shallot Production. This training was organized by Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Islam Madura on Wednesday, November 6 2023 from 09.00 – 12.00 WIB at At the Agricultural Extension Center (BPP) Kostratani Guluk-Guluk, Sumenep Regency, East Java. This training activity is part of the 2023 Social Collaboration Program for Community Development (Kosabangsa) with the theme “Optimizing Shallot Production and Marketing through Bio-Polyploidization Technology, Pyramid-Type Solar Dryer, and Digital Marketing as Efforts to Increase Income for Shallot Farmers in Guluk-Guluk District, Sumenep Regency.” This training is intended for farmers, with the main goal of developing and disseminating simple and effective polyploid technology. In addition to enhancing shallot production , this training also supports the flagship commodities of Madura Island.

Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, S.Si., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., as a biology expert, attended the training as a speaker and delivered a presentation focusing on Polyploidization Techniques and Shallot Cultivation. The material provided aimed to give insight and skills to farmers in their efforts to increase shallot production. After the presentation, the event continued with a question-and-answer session. In this session, the audience actively participated in the discussion, making the event interactive and engaging.

The existence of this training demonstrates support for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in realizing decent work and economic growth as well as promoting well-being (SDG 8 and SDG 3). The collaboration between the Dean of the Faculty of Biology at UGM and the Faculty of Agriculture at the Islamic University of Madura is expected to strengthen relationships and have a positive impact on both parties. This training is also anticipated to enhance shallot cultivation yields, aligning with efforts to support sustainable development and partnerships to achieve goals (SDG 17).