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Friday, September 2, 2022, Viral Diarrhea Study Group Research Center on Global Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Disease Universitas Airlangga, successfully held an international workshop on the topic “Introduction to Conventional Cloning and Mutagenesis PCR in Molecular Biology Application.” This material was presented by dr. Reza Gandi Bawono, MD., Ph.D. This material explains DNA cloning and gene mutagenesis. He explained the stages of how to do DNA cloning from beginning to end. After that, he explained what mutagenesis was and the steps. This workshop also featured many wet laboratory simulations. This workshop was attended by the chairman of ITD, Prof. Maria Inge Lusida, Ph.D., and the head of RC-GERID, Laura Navika Yamani, S.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. Hopefully, the knowledge presented can add new knowledge and be implemented in research so that the existing expertise continues to grow.

From 30 to 31 September 2022, the Institute of Tropical Disease Universitas Airlangga received a visit from Surabaya Health Polytechnic students for the Molecular Biology Practicum. Prof. Ahmad Yudianto welcomed this event as the Head of the Human Genetics Study Group of the Molecular Forensic Division, who previously provided material on Molecular Biology online. On the first day, Surabaya Health Polytechnic students performed DNA extraction and PCR in the Human Genetics Laboratory alternately by dividing into two small groups so that the practicum and giving instructions were more conducive. On the second day, they continued with the next practicum stage, namely electrophoresis at the Human Genetics Laboratory, followed by posttest and closing practicum activities. Hopefully, this event can provide learning opportunities and experiences for students in conducting DNA testing so that the knowledge gained can be helpful for their field in the future.

Breast cancer is one of the worst diseases that affect women. Long-term treatment with therapy or surgery has a detrimental effect on the patient. Breast cancer is caused by unregulated cell growth and has a high mortality rate. Many researchers are working to develop effective, efficient, safe, and available treatments for everyone. Kappaphycus alvarezii algae have been in great demand as a breast cancer drug because it contains chemicals that are expected to be anti-cancer. This paper aims to see how secondary metabolites in algae interact with Nuclear Factor-kappaB protein kinase in breast cancer. Ligands and proteins were obtained from PubChem and PDB websites, respectively. Swiss ADME was then used to assess Pharmacokinetic and Drug similarity properties. The final stage involves using molecular docking with PyRx and molecular dynamics to identify interactions and visualize between ligands and target proteins. The test findings revealed that the chemical marinol has the superior binding capacity to the protein kinase NF kB because it has a chromone group that controls transport efficiently in preventing breast cancer proliferation. The QSAR analysis revealed that marinol has various anti-cancer properties, not only in breast cancer but also in other cancers. Because it has a chromone group, the test results showed that marinol has relatively high effectiveness as an anti-breast cancer agent, with a binding energy of -7.5 kcal/mol. Authors: Teguh Hari Sucipto, Alyaa Farrah Dibha, Rahadian Zainul, et al. Article Title: Utilization of Secondary Metabolites in Algae Kappaphycus alvarezii as a Breast Cancer Drug with a Computational Method Detailed information about this scientific article can be found at: https://phcogj.com/article/1800 Source: news.unair.ac.id Picture Source: Detik.com

The HIV/AIDS study group, Research Center on Global Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Disease Universitas Airlangga, successfully held a Coordination Meeting for the Preparation of a Policy Brief with the topic “The Role of Antiretroviral Resistance Examination as an Effort to Control the Number of HIV Cases in Indonesia.” This activity was held at the Swiss Bellin Hotel, Manyar Surabaya, on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. It was attended by a great resource person, Prof. Dr. Nasronudin, dr., Sp.PD., KPTI-FINASIM as the director of Airlangga Hospital, and Prof. Maria Inge Lusida, dr., M.Kes., Ph.D., Sp.MK as the director of ITD. This coordination meeting was also attended by clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. The purpose of this activity is to disseminate the analysis of data obtained from molecular epidemiological surveillance in the analysis of HIV genotype (subtype and ARV resistance), increase early detection efforts (subtypes and resistance) in HIV patients for successful therapy, and as a reference in selecting the right ARV, and to reduce cases of transmission of resistant HIV. The results of molecular epidemiological surveillance research data related to ARV resistance information are expected to become a new policy in HIV/AIDS prevention to support the achievement of the SDGs targets in the field of HIV/AIDS infection, namely to end AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Monday, August 15, 2022, the Institute of Tropical Disease Universitas Airlangga held a rice cone decorating competition. This activity is to celebrate the 77th Indonesian Independence Day. This competition consists of 10 groups, with each group consisting of 5 people. When preparing for the competition, each group discussed and prepared a strategy for arranging and decorating the rice cone. The committee gave 1 hour to garnish and serve the rice cone. The jury consists of Prof. Dr. Achmad Fuad Hafid, dr. Sukmawati Basuki, MS., Apt, Saadun, S.Sos., M.Si, and Basuki, SE. Assessment consists of taste, appearance & cleanliness, cooperation & suitability of the price set. This activity is also a place to announce the winners of the TikTok/reels competition. The excitement of this competition is very evident from the busyness of each group in presenting their best work. Hopefully, this event can be maintained to realize ITD’s vision at the national and international levels.

Wednesday, August 11, 2022, the Institute of Tropical Disease Universitas Airlangga held a competition to commemorate the 77th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. The competitions included hat hooks, seat grabs, and water sponges. This event was welcomed and attended by most of the academic community in ITD UNAIR, including one of the leaders.           The winners in the hat hook competition were Rima Ratnanggana (first winner), Krisnoadi Rahardjo (second winner) and Nur Syamsiatul Fajar (third winner). Meanwhile, Anas Muttakim (first winner), Puput Ade Wahyuningtyas (second winner), and Abdul Hadi Furqoni (third winner) won the seat competition. Zakaria Pamoengkas was the first winner in the water sponge competition, Nur Syamsiatul Fajar the second winner, and Fitriah the third winner. The series of competitions will last until Monday, August 15, 2022. Hopefully, this event can strengthen the togetherness between the academic community at ITD and increase the spirit of nationalism to contribute to the Indonesian country.

Institute of Tropical Disease Universitas Airlangga received a visit from SingHealth Singapore on Thursday, August 11, 2022. This visit is to invite participants from ITD to participate in the World One Health Congress, which will be held in Singapore on November 7 – 11, 2022, and invite participants to follow abstract submission. The deadline for abstract submission is August 15, 2022. In addition, SingHealth also offers collaboration between SingHealth-Duke NUS and ITD as a research institution. These collaborations can involve many aspects, including research and education. SingHealth also invited a team from ITD to visit Singapore as a return visit. This activity was well received by the chairman of the Institute of Tropical Disease Universitas Airlangga, Prof. Maria Inge Lusida, dr. M.Kes., Ph.D., Sp.MK(K). Vijaya Rao, as Director of the International Collaboration Office, explained that SingHealth – Duke NUS is a government organization that oversees four major hospitals in Singapore as well as 5 National Centers and several polyclinics and community hospitals. This organization is engaged in services, education in the form of Duke University NUS, and research, as illustrated by the three pillars of the SingHealth logo. Learning from the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore developed the “Asian Outbreak Preparedness Center,” which currently focuses on genomic detection and molecular epidemiology for rapid detection and ensuring preparedness for future outbreak threats. Therefore, cooperation with ITD is highly expected. We can bring this initiative to life through a zoom meeting with researchers and Duke NUS deputy dean for international relations under SingHealth so that they can immediately establish cooperation and draft an MOU / MOA to formalize the form of collaboration between the two parties. The meeting closed with a brief visit to the state-of-the-art laboratory at ITD.

Institute of Tropical Disease Universitas Airlangga received a visit from student exchange . This activity was well received by the chairman of the Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga, Prof. Maria Inge Lusida, M.Kes., Sp.MK(K), Ph.D. These exchange students come from four countries Egypt, Tunisia, Italy, and the Czech Republic. This visit is included in the program managed by SCORE and SCOPH CIMSA Universitas Airlangga, namely Global Action Program (GAP EXCHANGE). This program lasts for one month, from 1 – 28 August 2022. This visit is to conduct research in the field of public health related to Dengue. Students will take mosquito data in Sawahan and Tenggilis Subdistricts, Surabaya, for later analysis by looking at DNA. The students will also provide socialization and education to the community. In carrying out its activities at the Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga, the students are guided by Dr. Sukmawati Basuki, dr., MSc. This activity is expected to provide benefits for science and society.

Monday 8 August 2022, the Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga received a visit from the Student Executive Board (BEM) of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga and a student exchange from Egypt. This visit was welcomed by the Head of Research Board of the Institute of Tropical Disease (ITD) Universitas Airlangga Marcellino Rudyanto, Drs., Apt., Msi., Ph.D., as well as a lecturer from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Airlangga. In this activity, the students also visited several laboratories at ITD, including the Dengue Laboratory and the NPMRD Laboratory. Hopefully, this visit can spread information about developing research at ITD abroad.

Friday, August 5, 2022, RC-GERID and the Institute of Tropical Disease held a Workshop with the theme “BSL3- Skill Update”. This workshop is conducted in Hybrid so that participants can listen offline and online. This event was welcomed by the head of ITD Prof. MARIA LUCIA INGE LUSIDA dr., M.Kes., Ph.D., SpMK, moderated by Dengue Laboratory researcher Siti Churrotin S.Si and speaker from Prof. Masanori Kameoka, Ph.D. from Kobe University, Japan. This workshop illustrates how the science of Bio-Safety Laboratory Level develops in terms of spatial planning, usage, and completing tasks according to established standards. It is hoped that the participants will be able to follow the development of science for safety in the implementation, both for diagnosis and research.