Biodiversity is one of the key factors sustaining life on this planet. Every living organism on Earth plays a distinct yet interconnected role in maintaining a harmonious balance essential for the continuity of life. The more we study the sciences, the more we realize the complexity of this system. This complexity has become the focus of research across various fields of science, especially as increasingly accessible data enables scientists to uncover the mysteries of life from the molecular level to the ecological realm.
Professor Thomas Sicheritz Pontén from the University of Copenhagen shared his insights from Denmark regarding the life of organisms on Earth. He explained that the death of organisms can trigger the emergence of 10 to 29 types of diseases in a single day and result in the loss of approximately 40 percent of bacterial populations each day.
“We also need to discuss bacteriophages, or phages, a viruses that specifically attack bacteria and does not infect other organisms,” said Professor Pontén during the 9th International Conference on Biological Sciences (ICBS) themed “Unraveling Biodiversity through Multi-Omics Integration: From Genes to Ecosystems,” hosted by the UGM Faculty of Biology (Biology UGM), on October 17 to 18, 2025, at Loman Park Hotel, Yogyakarta.
According to him, the unique nature of phages (which attack only bacteria) makes them highly promising for combating antimicrobial resistance. He added that phages are the most abundant biological entities on Earth, estimated to number around 10³¹ particles.
“If all the phages were arranged in a line, their combined length would extend beyond the solar system,” he said.
As a further innovation, his team is currently developing the Phage Cloud System, a knowledge graph-based model that connects phage genome data from various hosts such as Salmonella and E. coli.
This system enables the prediction of relationships among phages, the identification of new potential antibacterial phages, and a better understanding of how phages cooperate or compete within microbial ecosystems.
Meanwhile, Professor Tuty Arisuryanti from Biology UGM discussed how genetic research contributes to understanding and protecting animal life. She explained that Indonesia possesses extraordinary biodiversity, with two major hotspots: Sundaland and Wallacea.
However, many species remain genetically undocumented, even though genetic libraries are fundamental for biodiversity security.
In her presentation, Professor Arisuryanti cited research in Sulawesi, including a study on the endemic freshwater clam Pokea, whose evolutionary trace dates back millions of years.
“This highlights the importance of genetic approaches in identifying biologically significant units for species conservation,” she explained.
Professor Arisuryanti further noted that genetic data plays a crucial role in designing evidence-based conservation strategies. She emphasized that by deepening our understanding of tropical biodiversity genomics, Southeast Asia could make significant contributions to global issues from climate resilience to sustainable resource management.
Also addressing biodiversity issues, Professor Bent Petersen from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, highlighted that the world is currently facing a biodiversity crisis. Species are disappearing at rates 100 to 1,000 times faster than natural background levels.
“Since 1970, the global vertebrate population has declined by more than 70 percent,” he revealed.
His research further found that phages have significant control over population dynamics. In one study conducted in the Malaysian rainforest, his team discovered thirteen new phage species with nearly identical genetic characteristics but varying abilities to survive under extreme environmental conditions.
“This demonstrates that tropical regions, including Indonesia, hold immense potential for biotechnological research,” he added.
Dean of Biology UGM, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, emphasized the importance of strengthening modern biological integration from genes to ecosystems, in understanding and conserving biodiversity through advancements in genomics, bioinformatics, biotechnology, and synthetic biology.
“We are confident that through strong collaboration, we can contribute meaningfully to global scientific progress,” said Professor Daryono.
Meanwhile, Vice Rector for Research, Business Development, and Partnerships, Dr. Danang Sri Hadmoko, noted that Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, a privilege that comes with equally great responsibility to preserve it.
“We must manage, conserve, and utilize these natural riches wisely to ensure their sustainability for future generations, both on land and at sea,” he said.
Authors: Leony and Hanifah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: Salwa, Jesi, and Freepik