NAIST and Indonesian Medicinal Plant Research Group Organized Half Day Seminar on “Toward Increased Understanding and Utilization of Bio Resources in Indonesia
Half day seminar with the theme "Toward Increased Understanding and Utilization of Bio Resources in Indonesia" was held at Nikko Hotel, Jakarta, on Friday, 17 Semptember 2010. The seminar was organized by the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) and Medicinal Plant Research Group of the Bogor Agricultural University, University of Indonesia (UI), and Gadjah Mada University (UGM). The seminar was participated by more than 100 people, consisted of various research groups from various Indonesia institutions such as the Ministry of Research and Technology (Men Ristek), Indonesian Institue of Sciences (LIPI), universities, students and business men as well. In addition, the Seminar was also attended by policy makers. The seminar was officially opened by the Minister for Research and Technology, who was represented by Prof. Amin Subandrio, expertise in health and medicine. This seminar was started by the introduction of NAIST, Japan, and Progress Report of the NAIST Cooperation with Indonesian Universities which was reported directly by the President NAIST, Prof. Akira Isogai.
NAIST was established in 1991, and it is located in Kansai Science City. NAIST is a new model of national universities that run only the graduate school. NAIST focuses on 3 of 4 main topics of research based on the Japanese government’s policy on information technology, biological science and nanotechnology, thus, NAIST organizes only 3 departments such as Information Science, Bioscience and Materials Science. As a research university, NAIST has only 1039 students with 153 faculty members, and 70 technicians. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan confered NAIST as the first ranked of the 86th university in academic achievement and research during the years 2006-2009.
NAIST has carried out many research and academic exchange programs with various institutions around the world, including countries in Europe, America, central Asia, Oceania, Africa and Asia. In Indonesia, NAIST has signed an MoU with Gajah Mada University since 2005, with Bogor Agricultural University since 2007, and with the University of Indonesia since 2009. MoU on research collaboration to utilize biological resources in Indonesia included: "Exploration of the anti-cancer activity of curcuma" in 2006, between Dr. Meiyanto (UGM) and Prof. Kawaichi (Bioscience); "Genetic improvement of Jatropha by molecular breeding" from 2008 – up to now, between Dr Suharsono (Bogor Agricultural University) and Prof. Yokota (Bioscience), funded by the Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Japan Science and Technology (JST) Program, and the Nissan Science Foundation (NSF). "Exploration of useful enzymes from bacteria isolated in Indonesia" in 2009 between Dr Malik ( UI) and Prof. Ogasawara (Information Science). NAIST-UGM-UI-IPB have also signed an agreement of "Implementation on systematization of secondary natural products produced by tropical flora of medicinal and industrial usage toward research collaboration" in 2009.
The half day seminar was led by Dr. Suharsono of Bogor Agricultural University as a moderator, during which six papers were presented which were divided into two sessions. The first session featuring Dr. Charles Saerang (chairman of the Association of Indonesian Jamu) presented his study on "Medicinal plants as a source of raw materials for making jamu in Indonesia"; Prof. Akiho Yokota (NAIST) presented his research on "Genetic manipulation of Jathropa" and Dr. Arry Januar (UI) presented his paper on "Development of a database for medicinal plants in Indonesia." The second session featuring the following speakers: (1). Prof. Shigehiko Kanaya (NAIST) on "metabolome and herb database in NAIST"; (2). Dr Edy Meiyanto (UGM) on "Anticancer activity of curcumin,"; and (3). Dr. Ken Tanaka (Toyama University), on "Herbal research in Japan". (Wied).
