SDGs 16 : Guarantee Peace

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Expanding Research and Collaboration Networks in the Field of Biotechnology, the UGM Faculty of Biology Team Visits the Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen

Cooperation Tuesday, 17 December 2024

Copenhagen, 13 December 2024 – The Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has again taken strategic steps in strengthening academic and research networks in the international level. This time, through a visit to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), one of the best technical universities in Denmark and Europe. DTU is ranked 109th in the QS World University Ranking and 5th in the field of Biotechnology based on the Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking).

DTU Biosustain, a flagship research center under the Novo Nordisk Foundation, was one of the focuses of this visit. This department plays a major role in creating sustainable solutions through the development of microbial cell factories. Since its founding in 2011, this department has given birth to more than 30 start-up companies in the field of biotechnology. This visit was made possible through a connection from one of the Faculty of Biology UGM teaching staff, Matin Nuhamunada, who has just completed his doctoral studies at DTU Biosustain.

In an effort to initiate further collaboration, the Faculty of Biology UGM team consisting of Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. (Dean), Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. (Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs), and Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, M.Biotech., visited DTU Biosustain on Friday (13/12).

The visit began with a discussion with two group leaders from DTU Biosustain, namely Dr. Pablo Cruz Morales and Dr. Sheila Ingemann Jensen. Dr. Pablo leads research in the field of Yeast Natural Products, with a focus on the exploration and modification of chemicals produced by fungi to develop new molecules such as medicines, sustainable fuels and polymers, in an effort to create a new era of environmentally friendly biochemical industries. Meanwhile, Dr. Sheila leads the Sustainable Microbial Applications group, which focuses on developing molecular tools for bacterial engineering to create efficient microbial cell factories for the production of chemicals from renewable resources such as lignocellulosic waste and CO₂ derivatives. This discussion discusses the potential for research collaboration, especially to accelerate bioprospecting of biological resources in Indonesia in a sustainable manner. This discussion also opened up opportunities for lecturers and students at the Faculty of Biology UGM to carry out research visits at DTU Biosustain.

Apart from that, the Faculty of Biology UGM team also met with Dr. Kai Blin, co-principal investigator from the Natural Products Genome Mining research group led by Prof. Tilmann Weber. On this occasion, the team gained insight into the importance of information technology (IT) infrastructure to support the development of bioinformatics research. For example, the antiSMASH analysis service, an antibiotic search software developed by this group, is supported by computing facilities in the form of 8 servers at DTU with a capacity of 784 CPUs and 3 TB RAM. AntiSMASH itself has been used more than 1 million times by various researchers from all over the world and has more than 6,500 scientific citations.

This visit is an important milestone in the Faculty of Biology’s efforts to continue to improve the quality of education and research through collaboration with international partners, especially the Technical University of Denmark. This collaboration also reflects the UGM Faculty of Biology’s commitment to supporting sustainable development goals, especially inclusive quality education (SDGs 4) as well as increasing recognition of global partnerships (SDGs 17).

Farewell of Student Exchange Students for Odd Semester of Academic Year 2024/2025 Faculty of Biology UGM

News Release Student Activities Tuesday, 17 December 2024

Yogyakarta, December 13, 2024 – Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a farewell event for Student Exchange Program students on Friday, December 13, 2024, at Bong O Bong Grill, Gejayan. The event was attended by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc., Head of Undergraduate Study Program Sukirno, M.Sc., Ph.D., Head of International Undergraduate Program, Nur Indah Septriani, M.Sc., Ph.D., Manager of Office of International Affairs, Tyas Ikhsan Hikmawan, M.S., Ph.D., several representatives of lecturers, namely Mrs. Rina Sri Kasiamdari, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., Dr. Miftahul Ilmi, M.Sc., and Mukhlish Jamal Musa Holle M.Env.Sc, D.Phil., and some academic staff.

The event was opened by the Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Bambang Retnoaji, M.Sc., who in his speech expressed his high appreciation to the students who had participated in this exchange program. He emphasized the importance of international experience as a strategic step for academic and personal development, as well as broadening students’ global horizons.

The Head of the Undergraduate Study Program Sukirno, M.Sc., Ph.D., on this occasion hoped that this student exchange program could continue to be implemented in the future, providing greater benefits for students and strengthening academic relations between universities in various countries.

The event took place in a warm and lively atmosphere, where one of the representatives of the exchange students, Nur Asma’ binti Mohd Asri, expressed her gratitude in Javanese for the opportunity given through this program.

This year, the Faculty of Biology UGM accepted 11 exchange students from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, and Toyo University. This program is a real proof of the efforts of the Faculty of Biology UGM in strengthening international networks and opening wider learning opportunities for students. The Faculty of Biology UGM hopes that cooperation with international universities will continue and grow, providing benefits for all parties involved. [Aulia]

Year-End Evaluation and Member Deliberation of Formasigen 2024

Student Activities Monday, 16 December 2024

On Friday, December 13, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM WIB, the Year-End Evaluation and Member Deliberation of Formasigen were held at the Genetics and Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM. The activity was attended by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., the Formasigen supervisor, the 2024 Formasigen team, and prospective members of the 2025 Formasigen team. This event served as a platform to review the Formasigen Bylaws and Articles of Association (AD/ART), evaluate the performance over the past year, and conduct a member deliberation to elect the 2025 Formasigen Chair. The objectives included updating the AD/ART based on recent agreements, monitoring the work programs carried out by the GenomCity Cabinet, identifying challenges encountered throughout the management period, providing constructive feedback and recommendations for program improvement, enhancing the quality of future work programs, and determining the next Formasigen Chair.

The event began with an opening by the MC, Enjang Sekaryati Prasetyaningrum, who served as the Head of the Public Relations and Networking Division of the 2024 GenomCity Cabinet. This was followed by a review of the AD/ART led by the first presidium, Muhammad Sena Budiman, and the second presidium, Ihsanti Tsania Fajriati. During this session, articles in the AD/ART were reviewed and updated to align with current conditions and ensure relevance for future management periods. After this session, there was a break for prayer, lunch, and rest.

The activity continued with the Year-End Evaluation and Member Deliberation. Before starting this session, remarks were delivered by Mrs. Ganies Riza Aristya, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D., who expressed gratitude to the 2024 Formasigen management team for fulfilling their responsibilities well. She also emphasized that the evaluations presented during this session should serve as valuable lessons for the next management team. Furthermore, she extended her encouragement and congratulations to the candidates for the 2025 Formasigen Chair and management team. Following the remarks, presentations were conducted by the heads of each division to report on the work programs implemented throughout the year, along with evaluations and suggestions for improvement. The presentation began with the Chair, followed by the Secretary and Treasurer, and continued with the heads of the PSDM (Human Resources Development), Scientific, Household, Public Relations and Networking, and Media and Information Divisions.

The event then proceeded with the 2024 Member Deliberation. This session included the introduction and presentation of visions and missions by the candidates for the 2025 Formasigen Chair, Denianto Agung Wicaksono, Muhammad Meshal Ramdhayesa, and Muhammad Rafi Fairuza. A question-and-answer session was held with the 2024 Formasigen team and the prospective 2025 team. Subsequently, a deliberation was conducted to elect the chair. The announcement of the elected 2025 Formasigen Chair, Denianto Agung Wicaksono, followed, along with the handover of responsibilities from the 2024 Chair to the 2025 Chair. The event concluded with a documentation session and a closing. [Author: Formasigen]

UGM Biology Master’s Students Win Silver Medal at Kaohsiung Invention and Design Expo (KIDE) 2024

Achivements Thursday, 12 December 2024

The Kaohsiung International Invention and Design Expo (KIDE) 2024 serves as a prestigious platform for researchers to present and compete their innovations at the international level. Organized by the World Invention Intellectual Property Association (WIIPA) and the Taiwan Invention Products Promotion Association (TIPPA), KIDE 2024 took place from December 5-7, 2024, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The competition featured 447 innovations from participants representing 31 countries.

The principle “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” aptly describes the success achieved by two UGM Biology Master’s students, Syefrina Rosyada and Yessy Ratna Siwie, along with their interdisciplinary teammates Alan Mulana K. (Faculty of Engineering) and Sunardi (Faculty of Agriculture). Their collaboration resulted in a silver medal at KIDE 2024 for their groundbreaking innovation, the SEATTER (Seawater Converter).

The SEATTER project was inspired by the clean water crisis faced by residents of Jerowaru District in East Lombok Regency. The area experiences low annual rainfall and high sunlight intensity, which forces local communities to purchase clean water for daily needs. Addressing this challenge, the team developed SEATTER, a solar-powered desalination technology that converts seawater into clean, usable water. This innovation provides a sustainable solution for coastal communities struggling with clean water scarcity.

The SEATTER technology directly contributes to Indonesia’s efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. This innovation enhances clean water access for underserved coastal areas.

This remarkable achievement underscores the Faculty of Biology’s commitment to nurturing student potential and encouraging excellence at the international level. It is hoped that this success will inspire other students and young Indonesians to continue innovating, creating, and making meaningful contributions to science and global society.

[Writer: Syefrina Rosyada]

Strengthening Academic and Research Collaboration, Faculty of Biology Team Visits Boku University, Austria

Cooperation Wednesday, 11 December 2024

Vienna, 9 December 2024 – UGM’s Faculty of Biology continues to expand its network in the international arena in order to increase recognition and collaboration with various world institutions, one of which is Boku University, The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. Boku University is one of the best universities in Austria and Europe, especially in the fields of agriculture and forestry, ranking 26th in the QS World University Ranking By Subject in 2024.

Universitas Gadjah Mada, especially the Faculty of Biology, has collaborated with a double degree doctorate and joint supervision with Boku University since 2023 for one of its teaching staff, Arief Muammar. As a follow-up to this collaboration, the Biology Faculty Team consisting of Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. as Dean, Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, M.App.Sc. as Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Collaboration and Alumni Affairs, and Dr.rer.nat. Abdul Rahman Siregar, M. Biotech. carried out a visit to Boku University last Monday (9/12).

The visit was welcomed by colleagues from the Institute of Food Technology, Boku University including Prof. Dietmar Haltrich, Prof. Dr. Clemens Karl Peterbauer, and Dr. Philipp Fuhrmann and Arief Muammar, M.Sc and from International Relations, Boku University, Lisa Kargl, Dipl.-Ing. Mag. The discussion discussed dual degree collaboration for master’s and doctoral programs, joint research collaboration, joint supervision, and joint publication. Apart from that, post-doctoral collaboration for 4 to 9 months for young staff was also initiated which is expected to support research collaboration with various partners in the world. Collaboration for participation in the 2025 International Summer Course and International Conference (ICBS) of the Faculty of Biology which is held every year was also discussed, especially the participation of students from Boku and teaching staff who could contribute as resource persons.

The visit was a step by the Faculty of Biology to improve the quality of education by collaborating with partners at the international level, especially Boku University, Austria. This collaboration is also a commitment of the Faculty of Biology UGM to support sustainable development and in accordance with sustainable development targets (SDGs), namely inclusive quality education (SDGs 4) and increased recognition of global partnerships (SDGs 17).

Faculty of Biology UGM Holds Sakura Science Program 2025 Selection

News Release Friday, 6 December 2024

Yogyakarta, December 6, 2024 – Faculty of Biology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has held a selection for the Sakura Science Program 2025 which was held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. A total of 33 participants took part in the interview session to compete for the opportunity to join the program which will be held at Yamagata University, Japan, on February 15-23, 2025.

The interview selection was conducted by a panel consisting of the Dean of the Faculty of Biology UGM, Prof. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc.; Vice Dean for Finance, Administration and Human Resources, Dr. Slamet Widianto, M.Sc.; Head of the Undergraduate Study Program, Sukirno, M.Sc., Ph.D.; and Assistant Head of the Study Program Ganies Riza Aristya, M.Sc., Ph.D.

The interview participants were selected strictly, not only based on academic achievement, but also other abilities, such as art and other relevant skills. The selection aims to find candidates who have extraordinary potential in the fields of science and technology, as well as the ability to adapt to an international environment.

Ultimately, 16 selected participants will have the opportunity to participate in the Sakura Science Program 2025 at Yamagata University, with the option to receive a scholarship from the university or participate in a self-funded program. (Aulia)

The program aims to strengthen academic relations between Japan and Indonesia and provide first-hand experience in scientific research in Japan for selected participants.(Aulia)

UGM iGEM Team Integrates Molecular Farming with Vaccine Production, Secures Five Awards at BIOS 2024

Achivements Thursday, 5 December 2024

The Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) iGEM 2024 team has once again achieved remarkable success at the Bioinformatics and Synthetic Biology (BIOS) 2024 competition, organized by Synbio.id. Competing virtually from August to December 2024, two of UGM’s leading teams Phytovac and Gamanthrax brought home an impressive array of accolades, including Best Presentation, Best Website, Best Poster, the prestigious Gold Medal, and the ultimate Grand Prize.

The UGM iGEM team consists of 19 interdisciplinary students, including eight talented members from the Faculty of Biology: Anandita Amalia Dewi (2021), Salma Rohmaniah (2021), Erwinda Dwi Chofifah (2022), Tan Rendy (2022), Angga Firza Pratama (2023), Geraldine Yara Amritasahmi (2023), Nauval Rajwaa Raysendria (2023), and Tsaqifa Zuhayra Emery Bagus (2023). The synergy among students from diverse academic backgrounds was key to the team’s success, fostering creativity and innovation to address real-world societal challenges.

Under the guidance of Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, M.Si., the UGM iGEM team adopted molecular farming as an innovative approach to develop therapeutic solutions for pressing health issues in Indonesia. Team Phytovac, led by Farrel Alfaza Marsetyo (Faculty of Medicine, 2021), introduced a project titled “Immunoinformatics Design of Virus-Like Particle-linked Dengue Vaccine for Expression in Nicotiana benthamiana System”, targeting the prevalent issue of dengue fever. Team Gamanthrax, led by Fahmi Ihsanuddin Jauhari (Faculty of Pharmacy, 2021), presented a project titled “In Silico Design of Plant-Based Anthrax Vaccine using Recombinant DNA Method”, focusing on the development of a plant-based anthrax vaccine.

Both projects successfully leveraged computational modeling and mathematical simulation technologies to design plant-based vaccines—groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology.
The BIOS 2024 competition featured a rigorous selection process, beginning with abstract submissions, proposal videos, website showcases, posters, and presentation videos from August 24 to November 10, 2024. Both UGM teams advanced to the final round on November 29, 2024, where they engaged in interactive judging sessions.

The journey culminated in the Grand Final on November 30, 2024, where Phytovac emerged as a grand finalist alongside two other top teams. In the final round, the teams presented their projects to judges and audiences. The competition’s pinnacle was marked by the Awarding Ceremony on December 1, 2024, where both Phytovac and Gamanthrax were crowned champions, earning multiple prestigious awards.

This outstanding achievement highlights the competitive excellence of UGM’s Faculty of Biology students on the national stage. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, relentless hard work, and a passion for innovation, the UGM iGEM team has proven that science and technology hold the key to driving sustainable and positive societal change.

Written by: iGEM UGM Team

Lecturer of the Faculty of Biology, UGM Becomes One of the Speakers in the Pra-clinical Training: From Basic to Advanced – Preclinical Animal Models for Human Disease Workshop

News Release Tuesday, 3 December 2024

On November 26, 2024, Dr. Ardaning Nuriliani, S.Si., M.Kes., a lecturer at the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) had the opportunity to become one of the speakers in the training entitled From Basic to Advanced: Preclinical Animal Models for Human Disease organized by the Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory, UGM. The event, which was held hybrid, was attended by 8 offline participants and 12 online participants from various institutions such as from Surabaya, Riau, Purwokerto, and Yogyakarta. In this training, Dr. Ardaning provided one of the materials from the entire series of training, about Laboratory Animals (Rodents: Rats and Mice): Handling, Housing, Treatment. Dr. Ardaning explained in detail about the correct and proper ways to handle, care for, and treat laboratory animals, especially rats and mice, in order to meet ethical standards and ensure valid and reliable research results. This is very important to ensure animal welfare and the credibility of the data produced in the research.

The training aims to provide insight and practical skills regarding the use of pra-clinical animal models in human disease research, as well as an in-depth understanding of the welfare of the animals used. Therefore, in this training, participants in addition to receiving various materials related to the ethics of using laboratory animals; handling-housing-treatment of animal models; and animal models of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, lung cancer, and hypertension, they also have the opportunity to practice directly related to the materials provided. With this training, it is hoped that the lecturers, researchers, and laboratory technicians involved can apply new knowledge and skills in their research so as to support SDGs programs no. 3 (healthy and prosperous life) and 4 (quality education). This activity is also an important step in improving the quality of animal-based research in Indonesia, as well as encouraging the development of more effective pra-clinical models to study human diseases.

Green Edge Lubricants Wins First Place at Greenovation 2024: Pioneering Eco-Friendly Lubricants for the Metal Industry

Achivements Monday, 2 December 2024

Banjarmasin, November 27, 2024 – The Green Edge Lubricants team claimed first place in the Call for Business Idea category at the Greenovation 2024 organized by Bank Indonesia of South Kalimantan. The event drew over 400 participants, including innovative startups, industry experts, and academics. Green Edge Lubricants captured the judges’ attention with their groundbreaking eco-friendly lubricant derived from palm oil, outshining intense competition.

The team comprised Soen Eliora Valerie Natania (Biology), Dania Husna Huwaida (Chemical Engineering), and Khabib Abdul Aziz (Chemical Engineering). Soen Eliora focused on the product’s sustainability, emphasizing environmental compatibility, biodegradability of raw materials, and potential impacts on wastewater. Dania Husna Huwaida led the lubricant formulation, optimizing material composition for optimum performance. Meanwhile, Khabib Abdul Aziz designed an efficient production system, tailoring industrial-scale processes to ensure the product’s readiness for real-world implementation.

This innovative lubricant is tailored for cold rolling steel and metal stamping processes, which traditionally rely on expensive and environmentally harmful mineral oil-based lubricants. By incorporating biodegradable materials like oleic acid and synthetic esters, the lubricant reduces water consumption during cleaning processes by over 50%. Additionally, it offers superior lubricity, extending the tool’s lifespan while minimizing the environmental impact of wastewater.

“Biology is often perceived as unrelated to the industrial sector, but we aim to demonstrate its pivotal role in sustainability. My responsibility was to ensure that this product is not only efficient but also environmentally friendly, aligning with circular economy principles,” explained Soen Eliora.

Dania Husna Huwaida added, “Creating this lubricant faces unique challenges. It needed to meet high-performance standards while remaining cost-effective and easy to manufacture. Palm oil is the ideal raw material to achieve these goals.”

“Our focus was to design an adaptive, efficient production system to ensure the product’s readiness for industrial-scale application, meeting the demands of Indonesia’s market,” said Khabib Abdul Aziz.

The Greenovation 2024 participants have to present their innovative ideas and defend their concepts before a panel of industry experts, academics, and Bank Indonesia representatives. Teams were required to demonstrate both the economic and environmental impact of their products, tackling detailed technical questions.

“Every team presented great ideas, making the competition extremely fierce. We worked hard to highlight the technical strengths and sustainability of our innovation,” said Khabib.
With this victory, Green Edge Lubricants opens the door to further product development and potential collaborations with industry partners. Their lubricant is expected to drive a significant impact on Indonesia’s metal industry while contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

The Greenovation 2024 competition underscored the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration in developing impactful solutions. Green Edge Lubricants has proven that sustainability is not just a necessity but also an opportunity to build a more efficient, environmentally friendly future for industry.

Author: Soen Eliora Valerie Natania

UGM’s Mine-Eye Gama Team Wins Second Place at Astranauts 2024 with Mining Monitoring Technology Innovation

Achivements Monday, 2 December 2024

Yogyakarta, November 29, 2024 – The Mine-Eye Gama team from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) secured second place in the Business Challenge Track of the Astranauts 2024 competition, organized by PT ASTRA DIGITAL on June 7, 2024. Competing against over 2,400 registered teams, Mine-Eye Gama stood out as one of the top seven finalists thanks to their innovative UAV drone and 3D LiDAR-based technology designed for real-time mining monitoring efficiency.

The team comprised Daniel Imanuel Manafe, Himawan Wicaksono, Stephanus Kevin Andika Rata (Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology, 2022), Menliman Joyfal Gulo (Cartography and Remote Sensing, 2022), Sabila Hestuning (Management, 2023), and Soen Eliora Valerie Natania (Biology, 2023). Guided by mentor Jans Hendry, S.T., M.Eng., the team leveraged their multidisciplinary expertise to develop a comprehensive solution. Their system, built on a private broadband network, optimizes geospatial data acquisition in dynamic mining environments.

A Solution to Mining Monitoring Challenges
Representing the team, Daniel Imanuel Manafe explained that rapidly changing mining topographies often pose significant challenges to maintaining safety standards and productivity. “Traditional methods like terrestrial surveys are precise but inefficient for highly dynamic areas. Our system leverages UAV drones and 3D LiDAR to overcome these limitations,” he stated.
The technology enables real-time data acquisition using a private broadband-based control and transmission system. The vast data collected is processed and delivered to a specially designed Ground Control Station. This solution significantly reduces data collection and analysis time, providing operational advantages for the mining industry.

Collaboration and Valuable Experiences
For team member Eliora, a Biology student, participating in the competition was challenging and enlightening. “This competition was an invaluable experience. I hope more students expand beyond their comfort zones and expertise. That’s where the greatest opportunities can emerge,” she shared.

In addition to winning second place, the Mine-Eye Gama team gained access to numerous opportunities, including mentorship from industry experts, collaboration prospects with the Astra Group, and the chance to present their ideas to venture capitalists. Furthermore, the team will join the Astra Innovation Lab, a continuation program to develop innovative ideas and solutions in collaboration with top industry professionals.

“This competition has been a significant milestone for our team. We hope this innovation will make a tangible impact in the mining industry, particularly in enhancing efficiency and safety,” Daniel concluded.

Author: Soen Eliora Valerie Natania

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