About

Microbial Technology Research Group consists of six main research topics which are: (1) nutrition & pharmaceutical (fermented food & feed, etc.), (2) agriculture & forestry (biofertilizer, plant-microbes interaction, local microorganism), (3) Aquaculture (zero-waste water, symbiotic, biofloc), (4) Energy (MEOR, MFC, biogas), (5) Environment (bioremediation, biocorrosion, air microbiology), (6) Biomaterial (bionanomaterial, biopolymer). These six topics are coordinated between members of the group which consist of 19 researchers. Microbial technology Expertise Group currently has three full-time professors: Prof. Dr. Pingkan Aditiawati, Prof. Dr. Gede Suantika, and Prof. Dr. I Nyoman P. Aryantha.

Throughout 2021, there were 22 active research topics and 12 community service activities carried out by the Microbial Biotechnology Expertise Group. In the field of research, the Microbial Biotechnology Expertise Group collaborated with a number of institutions both at national and international levels (20 institutions) including Osaka University (metabolomics), Tokyo Institute of Technology (corrosion and bacteriophage), Kyushu University (MEOR), PT. Pertamina (MEOR), Novaton AG (aquaculture), PT. Kreasi Rekayasa Indonesia (air microbiology), PT. Paragon Technology and Innovation (cosmetic microbiology), Mycotech (fungi technology), PT. Tunas Nusa Foundation and Metabologenomic Inc. Japan (stunting research), etc. Especially for Osaka University, two researchers from the university, namely Prof. Eiichiro Fukusaki and Dr. Sastia Prama Putri are also involved as visiting professors at KK Microbial Biotechnology to assist research activities in the field of metabolomics. Community service activities for Microbial Biotechnology KK in 2021 will be carried out in 4 provinces (West Java, Central Java, Central Kalimantan, and West Nusa Tenggara) with a total of 11 assisted communities/villages.

A summary of the achievements of lecturers and researchers members of Microbial Technology Expertise Group in 2021 includes:

• 34 publications in highly reputable scientific journals, both national and international
• 2 book write-ups or book chapters
• 2 write-ups in national press
• 2 patents submitted
• presenter in 5 scientific conferences
• coordinator/committee in 5 national and international seminar/conference/workshop
• 1 reviewer in international scientific journal

Honourable achievements were also accomplished by Dr.V. Sri Harjati Suhardi who received the Satya Lencana National Development award from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Joko Widodo for her contribution in the development of BSL2 mobile lab technology, and Dr. Magdalena Lenny Situmorang who received the L'Oreal-UNESCO Woman in Science 2021 award.

The year 2021 was also marked by the implementation of the Microbial Biotechnology Expertise Group research project on a systematic study of the effect of microbial community characteristics from breast milk on the phenomenon of stunting (dwarfism) in West Java community groups. This research received support from the West Java government and involved collaboration with various institutions from within and outside Indonesia. Studies in different areas over the past few years have proven the significant influence of the microbial community that lives in the human body on health conditions. It is hoped that more similar studies will be carried out in Indonesia, to provide relevant information on the characteristics of the local microbiome which are influenced by people's habits and nutrition and their influence on various health conditions of the Indonesian people.