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Indonesia’s rich biodiversity is a vast resource that holds potential for the country’s development. However, the utilisation of advanced technology to harness this biodiversity still needs to be improved. This challenges Indonesia’s aspirations of becoming a sovereign, science, and technology-driven nation.
To realise this goal and unlock the innovative products hidden within its biodiversity, there is a pressing need to delve deeper into biological systems and biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids found in animals, microbes, and plants.
Understanding the structure, function, and mechanism of biomolecular interactions is critical to mastering the technology required for this endeavour. Ahmad Fathoni, Head of the Research Centre for Applied Microbiology at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), highlighted the importance of this approach during a recent online event. He emphasised the need to accelerate the utilisation and development of targeted and precision biodiversity by disclosing biomolecular structure data.
Fathoni presented BRIN’s efforts to create a research ecosystem, including establishing ten collaboration platforms focusing on the Biology of Biomolecular Structures of Biological Diversity. These platforms address various research clusters, including enzyme engineering, metabolites, biosensors, evolution studies, biomanufacturing, and bioengineering for energy under the Cluster of Life and the Environment.
The Food and Agriculture Cluster focuses on designing new food products, developing new protein sources, and engineering functional foods. The Health Cluster targets specific vaccines, personalised medicine, and novel therapeutics for diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, the Biomaterials Cluster works on biomaterial engineering for various applications.
The primary output of these activities is three-dimensional biomolecular structure data and the nurturing of young talents in structural biology.
Fathoni encouraged students to participate in these research activities through programmes like Degrees by Research (DbR) and the LPDP scholarship scheme, facilitated by BRIN’s open platform infrastructure.
Moreover, Raden Arthur Ario Lelono, Director of Talent Management at BRIN, outlined the agency’s efforts to strengthen human resources through talent excellence programmes, including the Merdeka Learning Merdeka Campus (MBKM) programme. This programme offers students opportunities for research collaboration and scholarships up to the doctoral level.
Furthermore, as reported by OpenGov Asia previously, Indonesia has made strides in molecular biology with the development of Spikebodies, a technology pioneered between 2021 and 2023. Spearheaded by researcher Yudhi Nugraha and his team in Madrid, Spain, Spikebodies offer promising potential for substantial advancements in global health, particularly in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The strategic vision for applying nanobody technology aims to prevent various viruses by adapting to structural differences in critical proteins responsible for transmission. Structural biology is crucial in this research, providing insights into biological mechanisms and pathways. Cryo-EM technology allows researchers to visualise structures at an atomic level, aiding in developing targeted medical interventions such as drugs, antibodies, and nanobodies.
The adaptability of this approach is vital, especially as viruses evolve. Researchers can design antibodies that are effective against mutated variants by deciphering the virus’s structure. This structural understanding is foundational in designing proteins to address specific health needs and biological challenges.
Indonesia possesses vast biodiversity that could drive its development, but tapping into this potential requires improved use of advanced technology. This need challenges the country’s goal of becoming a sovereign, science, and technology-driven nation. To achieve this goal and unlock the hidden value within its biodiversity, Indonesia must delve deeper into biological systems and biomolecules found in animals, microbes, and plants. Understanding biomolecular interactions’ structure, function, and mechanism is critical for mastering the technology needed for this task.
