Tri Yuliati, S.K.M., laborant at UGM Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory (LPPT) has been named the best laborant nationally in 2015. She excelled over Sofyan from Bogor Institute of Agriculture and Tri Kurniawati from University of Indonesia who became second and third winners.
The award was granted by Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Learning during the national selection event of teaching and non-teaching staff in Jakarta on 28/10 for six categories: lecturer, head of study programme, laborant, librarian, academic administration staff, and financial staff.
Yuli beat other 42 laborants from across Indonesia. There were 15 finalists finally selected to go to the finals after they passed selections in administration, presentation, and focus group discussion.
Win after Mouse Tail
The award was granted to Yuli for her work that was presented titled Use of Mouse Tail Collagen as Cell Adhesive Ingredient in Some Primary Culture. The lady born in Kediri on 4 July 1964 said the use of such collagen was a new breakthrough that could offer a solution to the problem of expensive costs of commercial adhesives.
When met on 2/11 in her office of Molecular Biology, Immunology, and Cell Culture Lab of LPPT, Yuli said this condition had encouraged her to develop new ingredients for adhesives by experimenting using various substances and the best eventually emerged when she made use of mouse tails.
“The mouse tail is the best choice for adhesives in primary culture,” she explained.
The future of this innovation is promising as there is an abundance of sources for such collagen. Domestic production of this collagen will also reduce production costs.
“In micro-litre amount, adhesives may cost as low as Rp100 thousands, far cheaper than imported ones,” she explained.
She added that as many as 10 mouse tails could be used over 500 times. In addition, the process is relatively quick and easy. Adhesives from 1-2 tails take only 3 days to process.
Actually, research in collagen from mouse tail as adhesives for primary culture has been conducted since 1995. This innovation has been used often by students, lecturers, or practitioners in health sector whether internally at UGM or outside to support their researches. Yuli was happy that her innovation had already helped the success of their researches.
“We plan to apply for a patent for this work,” said Yuli that has spent the past 20 years working on primary culture.
Yuli also developed filters of big tissue cells using tea infuser made from stainless steel, use of waste in fibroblast culture as grow factor in human microphage cells, etc,
As a laborant, she said there were many opportunities for innovation. With this award, Yuli hoped she would be able to inspire other staff to make outstanding achievements by making innovations in their own fields.
“Keep exploring possibilities to be done in the lab because many things can be done there and please continue to make innovations,” she concluded.