A master’s student in Biotechnology, Muadz Fikri Gunawan, has successfully completed an international internship program at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan. The internship was conducted from February 23, 2026, to March 20, 2026.
During the program, Muadz joined the Laboratory of Organelle Control, a leading research laboratory focusing on cellular and organelle mechanisms. His research topic was titled “Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and Its Application in Yeast Cells.”
This study focuses on understanding the mechanism of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), a cellular response to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. This area of research is highly relevant in biotechnology, particularly in optimizing protein expression systems using yeast cells, which are widely utilized in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Through this internship, Muadz gained valuable hands-on experience in an international research environment, including exposure to advanced molecular techniques and collaboration with researchers from diverse backgrounds. The program also provided an opportunity to broaden academic perspectives and strengthen global research networks in the field of biotechnology.
It is expected that this experience will contribute positively to the advancement of biotechnology research in Indonesia, especially in the development of more efficient cellular systems for biomolecule production.