Saturday 29 October 2022UGM Postgraduate School Biotechnology study program successfully held a national seminar. The national seminar this time raised the theme ‘Biotechnology for Climate Change and Global Warming Mitigation’. This national seminar activity received sponsorship from Crop Life Indonesia and Science Genetics. The speaker this time is Professor Dr. Ir. Alim Isnansetyo, M.Sc. from Gadjah Mada University, Professor R. Manjunatha Kini from the National University of Singapore and Professor Tatsuo Sato, Ph.D. from Ibaraki University. In addition, this seminar was also attended by 59 speakers from various agencies and universities. Some of the presenters came from Gadjah Mada University, Bandung Muhammadiyah University, Jakarta State University, Lampung University, BRIN, and PT. Great Giant Pineapple.
Professor Alim Isnansetyo on this occasion explained the potential use of Pseudoalteromonas for the development of Biotechnology. Based on his experience during research on Pseudoalteromonas, the bacteria can be used as an anti-microbial. Good in the application of anti-fungal, anti-biofouling, and anti-tumor. For bioactive exopolymers, Alim Isnansetyo explained that these bacteria can produce cryoprotectants. This ability can be used to store other bacteria so that their condition is maintained and not damaged.
Another seminar speaker, Professor R. Manjunatha Now explained about the potential of snake venom to be used as heart medicine. According to him, snake venom is potential because it consists of protein and peptide. In fact, R. Manjunatha Now has identified the DNA of various types of snake venom and collected this information in the cDNA library. Gathering information about snake venom is useful to know its structure, function and mechanism of action. In the future, the utilization of poison can be applied as an alternative for heart treatment.
Next was Professor Tatsuo Sato who explained the role of Heat Shock Protein (HSP) in increasing plant resistance to a disease. First Tatsuo Sato explained about the basic mechanisms of plant disease resistance. There are two mechanisms described by Prof. Tatsuo Sato namely Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) and Wound Induce Systemic Resistance (WSR). The SAR mechanism for disease resistance is local while the WSR mechanism is total. Professor Tatsuo Sato observes the role of HSP during heat induction where the HSP will later bind to the Heat Shock Element (HSE). These bonds can later trigger the activation of defense genes from a disease so that plants are much more resistant. in the future,
This national seminar activity was also broadcast on the UGM Postgraduate School YouTube channel. This seminar is an annual activity organized by the Postgraduate School Biotechnology study program. To get the latest information, you can follow UGM Biotechnology social media.
Author: Buhairi Rifqa Moustafid