Welcomed a Visit from WRI Washington DC, IPB University Introduces DART-TOF-MS Technology

IPB University received a visit from Ms. Tina Schneider, Director of Forest Governance and Policy, and Ms. Sophie Labaste, Associate in the Forest Governance and Policy Team from the World Resources Institute (WRI) Washington DC.

This visit was part of the WoodID research consortium activities entitled “Indonesian-Based Wood Identification Program” which involved IPB University, Syiah Kuala University, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and WRI.

This activity was held at the Metabolomics Laboratory, Advanced Research Laboratory (ARLab) Unit of IPB University, with the main focus on the introduction and demonstration of the Direct Analysis in Real Time-time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (DART-TOF-MS) tool. 

The DART-TOF-MS tool has tremendous advantages in analyzing the chemical content of materials quickly, accurately, and without complex sample preparation.

With these capabilities, DART-TOF-MS is a very important tool in verifying wood species to build a reference database of high-value wood species to encourage protection and sustainable forest management.

Vice Rector of IPB University for Global Connectivity, Collaboration, and Alumni Relation, Prof Iskandar Z Siregar conveyed IPB University’s commitment in supporting the development of technology and research for scientifically based wood identification.

The research results from this program will have a significant impact on forest protection and its possible application to assist science-based law enforcement.

Also present in this activity were the Head of the Superior Research Laboratory Unit, Dr Irdika Mansur; Prof Mohamad Rafi, and Dr Rudi Heryanto, a researcher in the field of chemical analysis and Dr Fifi Gus Dwiyanti, a researcher in the field of genetics analysis. Delegates from WRI Indonesia, Dhio Ferdyan, SHut, and Kenny Cetera, SH, MKn, also participated in the discussion and further research exploration.

On this occasion, the WRI Washington DC delegation expressed their appreciation for the research facilities at IPB University, especially the use of DART-TOF-MS in supporting research objectives and forest protection. 

This visit is a strategic step in strengthening IPB University’s collaboration with the World Resources Institute. The “Indonesian-Based Wood Identification Program” is expected to be a breakthrough in supporting Indonesia’s forest protection efforts through innovative scientific approaches based on the latest technology. (IAAS/RUM)