The UGM-Indonesia team, consisting of students from various faculties at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has achieved remarkable succes feat by winning a gold medal, inclusivity award, and a nomination for the best diagnostic project at the Grand Jamboree – International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition 2023, held in Paris, France, from November 2 to November 5, 2023. Four out of the sixteen members of the UGM-Indonesia team are Biology students in the class of 2020 : Sofyan Maulana, Fathur Syahrian Ramadhani, Adelia Intan Sabhira, and Ulfah Nur Azizah. This moment marks the first time in the 20-year history of the iGEM competition that a team from Indonesia has successfully secured a special award and entered the nomination for the best project. Previously, in 2021, the UGM-Indonesia team led by Yustika Sari (Biology 2017) achieved a silver medal.

iGEM is a prestigious competition in the field of Synthetic Biology that originated from a summer school activity at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2003. In this competition, each team is provided with an iGEM Distribution Kit containing hundreds of “BioBrick Parts,” which are DNA components that can be assembled into genetic circuits to address various real-world problems. This competition has spurred the emergence of research innovations, companies, and leading biotechnology startups such as Ginkgo Bioworks, Asimov, and Benchling. In the two-decade celebration of iGEM, this year’s competition was participated in by 400 teams from 66 countries, involving over 3000 high school students, undergraduate, and graduate students from around the world.

Under the leadership of I Made Rhamandana Putra (Pharmacy 2019), the UGM-Indonesia team adopted the theme of diagnostic technology with a project entitled “Novel Biodevice for Colorectal Cancer Screening using Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (ECN) with miRNAs as Biomarker”. The team successfully engineered the ECN bacteria to detect cancer cells and enhance the sensitivity of the Loop-Initiated RNA Activator (LIRA) through mathematical modeling and computer simulation. The hard work, innovation, and creativity of this team convinced five international judges to award a gold medal and a nomination for the best diagnostic project. In addition to conducting research in the laboratory, the iGEM team also had to approach social and inclusivity aspects within various community components. Out of the 400 competing teams, the UGM-Indonesia team was selected to win the special prize: the best Inclusive award.

This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and guidance of various parties. Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri from the Faculty of Biology UGM served as the main supervisor, supported by Widhi Dyah Sawitri, Ph.D (Faculty of Agriculture), M. Saifur Rohman, Ph.D (Faculty of Agriculture), and Setyowati Triastuti Utami, Ph.D (Faculty of Pharmacy). Additionally, the team was assisted by 15 mentors comprising of lecturers, alumni, and UGM students, including six lecturers from the Faculty of Biology: Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, S.Si., M.Si., Dr. Niken Satuti Nur Handayani, Aries Bagus Sasongko, M.Biotech, Lisna Hidayati, M.Biotech, Indra Lesmana, M.Sc., and Matin Nuhamunada, M.Sc. [Author: UGM iGEM Team]

Biology students Universitas Gadjah Mada (S1) made another achievement at national level by win 2nd place in the National Essay Competition (E-Comp) “BIOCOMPACT (Biology Competition and Application) Season 14” held at the State University of Surabaya on October 29, 2023. This remarkable achievement was achieved by Muhammad Fityatul Haq and Ulfah Nur Azizah, Biology Student Class of 2020 under the guidance of Laksmindra Fitria, S.Si., M.Si.

The competition took the theme “The Role of the Younger Generation in Realizing the Millennial Generation (Potential, Critical Thinking, and Innovation)”, aimed to enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the younger generation in advancing the quality of SDGS 2040, particularly in the field of biology, which is closely related to issues concerning living organisms and the environment. The competition underwent a series of selection stages, including essay registration and submission, selection of the top 5 finalists, collection of essay posters, and concluded with the finalists’ presentations. This competition took place from July 3, 2023, to October 29, 2023.

Through this competition, the team highlighted the holistic implementation of Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning (I-PjBL) amidst educational segmentation, emphasizing its urgency in the context of special needs education. For children with special needs, PjBL can serve as an alternative to enhance their real-life learning experiences, as it is constructivist in nature, particularly in developing critical thinking skills that can encourage them to be more independent and less reliant on others. Additionally, the team also spotlighted the implementation of I-PjBL in STEM-based learning.

The team hopes that the breakthroughs and issues raised through this competition will contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which pertains to inclusive quality education. Furthermore, they aspire that participation in this competition will provide encouragement and motivation for Indonesian students and the younger generation to make positive contributions towards advancing education in Indonesia. [Author: Ulfah Nur Azizah]

Ridho Nur Alam and Azra Belva Naprilian, Biology student class of 2022, have achieved a Gold Medal in the National Essay Competition FAPERTA 4 titled “Futuristics and Prestige Research, Technology and Art Fair,” under the guidance of Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.Sc., Ph.D. The competition, which involved a total of 243 entries, underwent several stages of selection before the Grand Final held at Dhyana Pura University, Bali on October 28-29, 2023. The competition comprised various stages, including the submission of full papers, creating video presentations, making PowerPoint presentations, and delivering poster presentations directly to the judging panel.

During this event, Ridho and Azra presented an essay titled “Smartwatch SART: Psychosocial Condition Detector Based on Galvanic Skin Response for Creating a Sustainable Mental Health Environment.” This innovation was sparked by the growing concern over mental health issues in society, particularly among students and young adults in Indonesia, which unfortunately is not proportionate to the available mental health professionals. The Smartwatch is equipped with a range of sensors based on Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). SART, an acronym for Smartwatch Stress and Anxiety Relief Tracker, will facilitate interaction between users and their families, close friends, and competent mental health professionals. Additionally, SART is also integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT), enhancing its effectiveness and efficiency in use.

This innovation is expected to provide a practical solution to address the psychological service issues in Indonesia. Furthermore, it is hoped that it will also help reduce suicide rates and address cases of mental health disorders in Indonesia, aligning with the government’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) point 3, which aims to create a mentally healthy Indonesia. [Author: Ridho Nur Alam]

Ethnobotany is a discipline that studies the utilization and classification of plants. Indonesia’s diversity of ethnicities and cultures significantly contributes to the field of ethnobotany. Furthermore, the use of local plants as medicinal resources continues to be studied for alternative treatment. Three students from the Faculty of Biology UGM, namely Muhammad Hafid Dinata, Cinta Alivia Atha, and Erinda Putri, conducted a survey on the use of traditional Indonesian plants for skin or hair care. This activity was directly supervised by Woro Anindito Sri Tunjung, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Dr. Fajar Sofyantoro, S.Si., M.Sc., along with Khairul Anam, Ph.D., who served as the partner supervisor at BRIN. This activity is part of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) in collaboration with the Applied Microbiology Research Center, BRIN, Bogor, Indonesia.

The survey was conducted from February to May 2023 through the Google Forms platform. Data analysis was performed using a qualitative descriptive method. The survey results show various types of traditional Indonesian plants commonly used for skin or hair care. Based on the results of this survey, it is hoped that the community will be able to enhance the utilization of plants in their surroundings and improve their understanding of the phytochemical content and benefits of these plants. This survey represents an initial step for researchers to make a positive contribution towards developing innovations in creating medicines from endemic Indonesian plant. Therefore, endemic Indonesian plants can be utilized as beneficial skin and hair care products for the community.

Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at Hotel Harper Malioboro Yogyakarta, The Museum of Biology receives appreciation for the preservation and conservation of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Heritage Sites (WBCB). The Museum of Biology is located at Jalan Sultan Agung No. 22, Yogyakarta, originally serving as a Dutch officer’s residence. The building was constructed in 1890 and was repurposed as a museum on September 20, 1969. It continues to be used as a museum, housing a collection of various biological specimens managed by the Faculty of Biology UGM Yogyakarta.

Sektiadi, S.S. M.Hum., from the TACB team, revealed that the building features the distinctive Dutch East Indies or colonial architectural style, characterized by a rectangular layout, front and rear terraces. Both terraces have round pillars with ornamental ornaments and ornate iron railings (balustrades). The roof of the building is shaped like a shield (hip roof) running north-south in line with the building’s length, covered with tiles. The walls, like other colonial buildings, are made of plastered brick with molding at the top. The doors and windows are square-shaped with wooden frames and have a transom window at the top forming an arrow-shaped lattice. This assessment was conducted with the presence of Mulyanto, ST, MM, Deputy Head of the Biology Museum, and the museum staff. The Museum of Biology is recognized for its preservation and maintenance as a Cultural Heritage and Cultural Heritage Site (WBCB) by the Department of Culture (Kundha Kabudayan) of Yogyakarta City, because the building is well-maintained and showcases the distinctive features of the Dutch East Indies architecture, said Soenarwan Hery Poerwanto, Head of the Museum of Biology at UGM.

Ida Suryani, the curator of the plant collection, further explained that the Museum of Biology, located in a designated heritage building, adds value not only to the museum’s collection but also to the museum building itself as one of the Cultural Heritage Sites (BCB) in Yogyakarta City. This appreciation was directly presented by the Deputy Mayor of Yogyakarta, Mr. Singgih Raharjo, to 20 conservators of WBCB and 20 artists and cultural figures as a form of recognition and gratitude to the community for their active role in preserving WBCB.

From June 7- 18, 2023, five biology students from UGM namely Rachmawati Dwi Hasanah, Vida Rahma Lathifah, Tiara Amelia Putri, Novia Noor Rachmawati, and Karso Suryo Putro – participated in the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) guided by Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., and Mr. Gede Sangu Gemi. The MBKM activities were conducted online to present various types of melons and hydroponic applications. The melon used as the subject of the MBKM research was the ‘Hikapel’ cultivar. ‘Hikapel’ is a melon resulting from the crossbreeding of the ♀ ‘Sun Lady’-3 and ♂ ‘Hikadi’ cultivars. It is one of the melon cultivars developed by the Faculty of Biology UGM. Hikapel has smooth, unribbed skin and tends to be round in shape. Its striking yellow color sets it apart from other melon varieties, making it popular among melon enthusiasts.

The melon planting took place in the hydroponic greenhouse of Dusun Jamusan, Bokoharjo Village, Prambanan Subdistrict, Sleman Regency, DIY (Special Region of Yogyakarta). The ‘Hikapel’ melon cultivar was planted using cocopeat as the growing medium, and the hydroponic technique with the drip irrigation system.

Throughout the MBKM activities, the students learned about various hydroponic techniques, various of mediums that can be used, and the application of IoT (Internet of Things) in hydroponics. The activities concluded with the collection of data on phenotypic characteristics and various deviations observed in ‘Hikapel’ during the planting process, such as observing segregation and plants affected by viruses. [Author: MBKM Team]

Biology students at Gadjah Mada University (S1) made another achievement at the national level by winning 1st place in the National Essay Competition. This achievement was achieved by Rima Arvisya Natania Putri, Reny Ras Ninta Br Tarigan, dan Gafra Favian Ratmoro, a student at the Faculty of Biology class of 2022 under guidance of Dr. Miftahul Ilmi . This national-level essay competition was organized by Department of Biology Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo Student Executive Board with the Theme “Optimizing the Role of Smart, Proactive, and Innovative Young Generations in Facing the 5.0 Revolution as an Effort to Realize Indonesia Emas 2045”. The competition opened on 1 July 2023 and the winners were announced on October 24, 2023.

In this competition the team took the subtheme Ecotechnology with the title “ Integration of Activated Sludge Method in the WasteWater Treatment Facility (IPAL) at TPST Piyungan, Yogyakarta”. The team discusses water as a source of life for all living organisms on earth. Unfortunately, the water around Piyungan Wastewater Treatment Facility are contaminated by Leachate from suboptimal processing. Based on Research By Kartikasari et al. (2020), shown that after undergoing aeration treatment, the quality of leachate in the Piyungan Landfill still does not meet the established quality standards. The research results indicate the content of the leachate as follows: TSS 235 mg/L, BOD 241 mg/L, COD 3511 mg/L, TN 700 mg/L, Hg 0.1015 mg/L, Cd 0.035 mg/L, Cr 0.021 mg/L. The standard limits are TSS 100 mg/L, BOD 150 mg/L, COD 300 mg/L, TN 60 mg/L, Hg 0.005 mg/L, Cd 0.1 mg/L, Cr 0.1 mg/L. This comparison of data indicates the suboptimal performance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) applied in the Piyungan Landfill. These contents can be highly dangerous when in direct contact with living organisms.

Given this issue, there is a need for the development of the activated sludge method to treat leachate more efficiently and effectively, with the aim of removing organic contaminants and hazardous chemicals contained within it. The innovation brought by this team involves the development of the activated sludge method with the optimization of land use, utilization of flocs, provision of biomass storage tanks, and the use of PAC as a clarifying agent. Thus, it is hoped that this innovation will be able to create a Wastewater Treatment Facility that meets the standards, thereby restoring the quality of water to a better state and enhancing the self-sufficiency of the community in support of the realization of Indonesia Emas 2045. [Author: Reny Ras Ninta Br Tarigan]

Ten students, members of the Microalgae Research Group in the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology UGM, A. Najib Dhiaurhaman, Annisa Tsamara Faridah, Dwi Hardianti Luthfiana, Ghina Alyaa, Ismia Wulandari, Khalid Erlangga, Raihan, Samia Nasitatuz Zahra, Siti Mudrikah, and Tariq Akhdan Purnama has carried out research activities for Independent Students Learning for the Independent Campus (MBKM) at the Biodiversity Research Station II, Faculty of Biology, UGM for the Kedaireka Program. Under the guidance of Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si., M.App.Sc, they conducted research with the big title “Development of Flocculant Technology for Harvesting and Biorefinery Cultures of Spirulina and Euglena sp. at Nogotirto Algae Park, Sleman”.

Microalgae themselves have shown great potential in the field of biotechnology, so they are widely cultivated or cultivated. Among several microalgae that are currently widely cultivated, Euglena sp. is one of the microalgae that is very interesting to research because it produces many bioactive compounds and has a larger cell size compared to other types of microalgae, so it is hoped that it could produce large amounts of biomass and biological products. Euglena sp. used in the MBKM research this time were strains IDN22 and IDN33 which had been isolated and cultured at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM.

MBKM activities begin with preparation of tools in the form of arranging cultivation tanks and land preparation, as well as making growth medium for microalgae culture. During the MBKM activity, students carried out several activities such as testing metabolites including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and pigments. Apart from that, characterization of various metabolites that were tested was also carried out, as well as harvesting of Euglena sp. using bioflocculant and chitosan. The students also extracted samples for testing amino acids, fatty acids and monosaccharides using GC-MS. It is hoped that the experience gained during this MBKM activity can increase students’ experience and skills in carrying out their final assignments as well as preparations for them after graduating from college.

On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 15:00 to 20:00 WIB The Presentation Training in Preparation for PKP2 PKM 2023 was conducted online via the Zoom meeting and was attended by 16 out of a total of 17 PKM-RE teams led by students from the Faculty of Biology, UGM, who will be presenting their PKP2 on Thursday, October 26, 2023, along with their supervisor. The event was divided into three sessions, beginning with an explanation of the presentation training mechanism for PKP2 PKM 2023 by a representative from the PKM Corner Biology committee as the moderator. This was followed by a session with drh. Retno Murwanti, MP, Ph.D.. She shared tips on successful strategies for assessing the progress of PKP2 implementation.

In each session, the team was given 10 minutes to do a presentation after being introduced by the moderator, followed by a 5-minute discussion with the reviewers. The reviewers were Aries Bagus Sasongko, S.Si., M.Biotech., from Faculty Biology UGM and a drh. Retno Murwanti, MP, Ph.D. from Faculty of Pharmacy UGM.
This event was aimed to prepare the participants’ presentation skills, evaluate the completeness of the components in the files to be presented, and solidify the participants’ understanding or mastery of the planned program to be accountable for during the PKP2 PKM 2023 event. [Author: PKM Corner]

The Meet & Greet, Organizational Training, Research training, Cultivation training, Conservation training, and Written Evaluation of BiOSC in 2023 mark the initial phase of Basic Education conducted by the Biology Orchid Study Club (BiOSC) at the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The aim of the BiOSC Basic Training is to provide organizational and scientific preparation for new BiOSC members through the presentation of material and practical exercises in various areas, including organization, research, cultivation, and conservation. This initiative aims to produce enthusiasts and advocates of orchids who can preserve and advance the native orchids. The activities took place at the Faculty of Biology, UGM, with a total of 26 participants.

The basic education commenced with the Meet & Greet and Organizational Training on September 9, 2023, in Room X of the Faculty of Biology, UGM. During this event, the BiOSC Advisor, Prof. Dr. Endang Semiarti, M.S., M.Sc., delivered a welcome address and motivation to the XVIII BiOSC potential new members (CAD). This event included an explanation of the rules and regulations during the training, a general introduction to BiOSC, the organizational structure, and an introduction to the 7 fields within BiOSC: Secretary, Treasurer, Entrepreneurship, Household Affairs (RT), HR, Public Relations and Networking (Humjar), as well as Media and Publication (Medpub). During the post-to-post session, the committee and field staff were divided into several stations to share information to the participants.

On September 17, 2023, the training continued with the Research Training. The event was held in Room IV A of the Faculty of Biology, UGM. During this session, topics such as systematics, taxonomy, basic photography techniques, sketches, and orchid identification were discussed. Following the presentations, field practice was conducted in three stations: orchid identification, photography, and sketching. Each group showed great enthusiasm during the practical exercises, and they were able to successfully identify and document orchids through photos and sketches.

The training series continued on September 23, 2023, with the Cultivation training. This session took place in Room 1 of Building B at the Faculty of Biology, UGM and covered topics related to the orchid growth environment, propagation techniques, and general orchid cultivation methods. Similar to previous sessions, practical field exercises were conducted in three stations: pollination station, splitting station, and keiki station. During the pollination station, participants were taught about the correct method of pollinating orchids by inserting pollen into the stigma cavity of the orchid flower using a toothpick. Representatives from the participants then practiced pollinating Vanda tricolor orchids near the Auditorium Biologi Tropika. Splitting and keiki separation are propagation techniques practiced in the Cultivation Training stations. Orchid clusters that have become too dense are divided into smaller clusters to promote optimal orchid growth. Meanwhile, orchids with keikis (typically from the genus Dendrobium) – new shoots on the orchid stem due to stress – should be separated from the parent plant once they are long enough and healthy. In the orchid propagation station, participants also practiced splitting techniques using Oncidium Golden Shower orchids and separating keikis from Dendrobium fimbriatum orchids near the Al-Hayat Mosque.

The Conservation Training served as the final indoor training session in the XVIII BiOSC CAD series for 2023. This session was held on October 15, 2023, in Room 1 of Building B at the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The Conservation training covered topics such as orchid ecology, orchid conservation, exploration, inventorying, and survival techniques. The field practice was divided into several stations, including tent-making training, introduction to the use of physico-chemical parameter tools, training on arranging items in a carrier bag, and familiarization with survival tools.

After the instruction provided in the various trainings, the Written Evaluation took place on October 21, 2023, in Room 1 of Building B at the Faculty of Biology, UGM. The Evaluation was conducted to assess the participants’ understanding of the material presented in the training. The Written Evaluation is not the final phase of the BiOSC training; there is still one more activity to anticipate – the Field Training (Diklap). Stay tuned for the XVIII BiOSC CAD Diklap in 2023 on your favorite platform. BiOSC! Grow, Develop, Sustain!! [Author: BiOSC]