Universitas Gadjah Mada inaugurated three lecturers from the Faculty of Biology as professors on Thursday (Jul. 10).
The three new Professors are Professor Andhika Puspito Nugroho of ecotoxicology, Professor Rina Sri Kasiamdari of fungal biology, and Professor Niken Satuti Nur Handayani of molecular genetics.
Professor Andhika Puspito Nugroho, in his inaugural speech, discussed the use of multi-biomarkers for river ecosystem biomonitoring.
According to Professor Nugroho, river ecosystems serve as habitats for aquatic animal and plant species, provide clean water sources, and offer spaces for economic and recreational activities.
However, environmentally unsustainable development accelerates pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, plastics, and heavy metals.
“One important strategy in protecting river ecosystems is the implementation of a biomonitoring program,” Professor Nugroho said at the UGM Senate Hall.
He added, “This serves as a tool for ecological condition evaluation and early detection of changes in water quality.”
Professor Nugroho explained that biomonitoring can be used as an approach to characterize the condition of river ecosystems.
It helps assess the level of biological degradation and monitor long-term health trends of ecosystems.
The multi-biomarker approach allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of the cumulative and interactive effects of various pollutant mixtures.
It also increases sensitivity in detecting environmental stress.
“This approach can represent the health status of ecosystems more accurately and informatively,” Professor Nugroho stated.
Meanwhile, Professor Rina Sri Kasiamdari delivered an inaugural speech concerning the potential of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and non-pathogenic Binucleate Rhizoctonia (BNR).
These are presented as biological alternatives in plant disease control and sustainable agricultural management.
According to Professor Kasiamdari, these two groups of microorganisms offer a more environmentally friendly and sustainable approach.
Professor Kasiamdari explained that AMF is a symbiotic fungus in the roots that helps plants absorb nutrients, especially phosphorus.
They also enhance plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stress through systemic resistance induction mechanisms.
Meanwhile, non-pathogenic BNR is known as an effective biological control agent against various soil pathogens through diverse mechanisms of action.
These mechanisms include competition, antibiosis, and parasitism.
“These two microorganisms not only provide protection against diseases but also contribute to improving soil quality and health, enhancing plant growth, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices,” Professor Kasiamdari explained.
Furthermore, Professor Kasiamdari explained that these two microorganisms can also be viewed from a commercialization aspect.
AMF has been widely developed as a biofertilizer, especially in organic farming systems.
Meanwhile, BNR is still in the development stage as a potential biofungicide, with various formulation forms, including pellets, granules, and liquid suspensions.
Thus, AMF excels in increasing nutrient availability and strengthening general plant resistance.
BNR, on the other hand, is more focused as a direct biological control agent against soil-borne pathogens.
“Both have complementary roles and potentially can be used synergistically in sustainable agricultural systems to improve plant health, productivity, and disease resistance,” Professor Kasiamdari concluded.
Next, Professor Niken Satuti Nur Handayani delivered a speech on Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology in the detection of thalassemia.
NGS is a technology that reads hundreds to thousands of genes in a relatively short time.
“This capability opens new opportunities for personalized and precise treatment,” Professor Handayani stated.
NGS technology has proven capable of identifying carriers undetected by routine methods and identifying previously unknown genetic mutations.
Mass screening strategies and appropriate genetic counseling are highly recommended, especially for communities living in areas with high thalassemia incidence rates.
The recommended target for screening strategies is pregnant women and infants.
“The goal is to reduce the birth of babies with thalassemia major, which is the most severe form of thalassemia,” Professor Handayani said.
The same screening strategy is also aimed at premarital couples and prospective parents.
Several countries have successfully reduced the burden of thalassemia through premarital screening mandated by the government.
“The utilization of NGS has been proven to significantly increase the effectiveness of thalassemia prevention compared to conventional methods,” Professor Handayani mentioned.
Nevertheless, routine methods still remain the standard in thalassemia detection, especially in endemic areas.
The presence of NGS methods in the clinical world necessitates the implementation of standardized protocols.
This is true both in the sequencing process and bioinformatics analysis, to ensure the consistency of examination results between laboratories.
Professor Handayani suggested that NGS technology could be further developed to be applied in wider areas.
To encourage the development of NGS technology, concerted efforts from the government, researchers, and the broader community are necessary.
“Close cooperation is required among the government, medical personnel, educational institutions, diagnostic laboratories, community organizations, as well as at-risk families and individuals,” Professor Handayani concluded.
As is known, Indonesia is one of the countries located along the Thalassemia Belt, which shows a tendency for an increasing number of thalassemia cases.
In 2021, the estimated number of patients with thalassemia reached 10,973, representing a 3.06% increase from the previous year.
Additionally, thalassemia ranks fifth among non-communicable diseases that consume the most budget.
Author: Lazuardi and Tiefany
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Firsto