Expanding Biotechnological Expertise: Guest Lecture Series at Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Study Program

The Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Study Program recently conducted a guest lecture series as part of the course PBT1636 (Laboratory Techniques for Plant Biotechnology) during the even semester of 2024/2025. Spanning weeks 12–14, the sessions featured distinguished guest lecturers delivering in-depth insights into cutting-edge molecular and biotechnology techniques.

Week 12–13: Protein Structure Prediction and Visualization 

During weeks 12 and 13, students had the privilege to learn from Dr. Riza A. Putranto, an expert from the Indonesian Oil Palm Research Institute (IOPRI). His lectures focused on protein structure prediction using AlphaFold and protein structure visualization through PyMOL, providing hands-on experience with advanced computational biology tools widely used in molecular research. To reinforce learning, Dr. Riza held an interactive quiz session in week 12, testing students’ understanding of the concepts discussed. The quiz not only added a fun and competitive element to the lecture but also motivated students to grasp the material more effectively. As an added incentive, Dr. Riza awarded presents to the three students with the highest quiz scores, recognizing their engagement and academic excellence. The session in week 12 was moderated by Prof. Dr. Darda Efendi, which fostered an engaging discussion and enhanced the students’ understanding of protein modeling applications in plant biotechnology. Held in Ruang Sidang 1 AGH at the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, the lectures offered a practical foundation in structural bioinformatics, equipping students with essential knowledge for their future research endeavors.

Week 14: qRT-PCR Techniques in Molecular Biotechnology 

Continuing the series, in week 14, Ms. Roaslein Putri, S.Pt., M.Si. from PT Prasetya Medika Indonesia delivered an insightful session on quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Her lecture covered the theoretical basis of qRT-PCR, alongside a live demonstration on the operation of a qRT-PCR machine, providing valuable exposure to gene expression analysis techniques essential for plant biotechnology studies.  Held at the Plant Molecular Biotechnology 2 (PMB2 Lab.), Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, this session bridged theoretical knowledge with practical application, allowing students to experience real-world molecular diagnostics firsthand.

Interactive Learning and Future Applications 

Moderated by Dr. Sintho Wahyuning Ardie, the course coordinator, this three-week lecture series engaged 21 Magister and Doctoral students, fostering intellectual discussions and hands-on experiences that will be instrumental in their future research endeavors.  By incorporating expert insights and advanced laboratory techniques, this guest lecture series reinforces the program’s commitment to equipping students with cutting-edge biotechnological skills, strengthening their foundation in molecular research and bioinformatics applications.

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