Yogyakarta — The Research Center and Study Program of Biotechnology Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held the 10th National Biotechnology Seminar with the theme “Fostering Interdisciplinary Solutions in Biotechnology for Sustainability.” The event took place at the Auditorium of Graduate School Universitas Gadjah Mada on Saturday (November 26, 2024). The seminar attracted over 200 participants from 36 different institutions, including academics, researchers, and practitioners from various fields.
As part of the event, the seminar also featured the launch of a primary synthesis service. This service is a result of collaboration between the Research Center and Study Program of Biotechnology UGM, the Satriabudi Dharma Setia Foundation (YSDS), and PT Widya Teknologi Hayati. The service aims to meet the public’s need for high-quality and competitively priced oligo (DNA/RNA primer) synthesis.
“We have to be proud to be part of history. We now have the first oligo synthesizer in Indonesia,” said Erlina VF Ratu, a mentor at YSDS. The launch of this primary synthesis service is a strategic step to support the development of biotechnology research in Indonesia. “With this service, researchers will no longer struggle to find raw materials for their studies.”
Together Achieving Independence in the Biotechnology Industry
This initiative marks a historic milestone in the national biotechnology landscape, strengthening research and development capacity and supporting the nation’s independence in health technology. With this production line, Indonesia is expected to no longer rely on imported DNA/RNA primers for various research and medical applications, ranging from genetic research and disease diagnosis to the development of gene-based therapies. The presence of this facility is believed to accelerate breakthroughs in biotechnology, particularly in genomics and medical science.
In her remarks, Erlina added that this initiative aligns with the foundation’s vision of cultivating outstanding youth. “We believe that collaboration with UGM and PT Widya Teknologi Hayati will lead us to greater achievements in the development of genomic research capacity in Indonesia. Panin Bank has entrusted its CSR funds to us, and we are sharing this blessing to support the modernization and acceleration of genomic research in Indonesia.”
Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, S.Si., M.Si., Head of the Research Center for Biotechnology UGM, stated that the establishment of this primary production line will strengthen the biotechnology research infrastructure in Indonesia. “This facility is expected to become a center of innovation, enabling researchers to access crucial resources that have been difficult to obtain. With this collaboration, we are on the right track to elevate Indonesian biotechnology to a higher level,” she added.
Echoing this sentiment, the CEO of PT Widya Teknologi Hayati expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “As a company focused on biotechnology innovation, we are committed to supporting independence in the production of DNA/RNA primers, which will be the backbone of molecular research across various fields,” said Nur Akbar Arofatullah, S.P., M.Biotech., Ph.D.
The cooperation between UGM, YSDS, and PT Widya Teknologi Hayati is expected to not only support independence in the biotechnology sector in Indonesia but also contribute to advancements in science and technology on a global scale. (AR)
