FK-KMK UGM. The Master’s Program in Biomedical Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (MIB FK-KMK UGM), and the Indonesian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PBBMI) successfully held a symposium titled “Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Uniqueverse for Research and Education in Biomedicine” on Friday (May 10) in a hybrid format at the Tahir Foundation Auditorium, FK-KMK UGM.
The event was attended by 74 in-person participants and approximately 276 participants via Zoom.
“After the pandemic, biomedicine has transformed through the integration of biogenomics, which supports many needs in clinical medicine,” said dr. Ahmad Hamim Sadewa, P.hD., representing the Dean of FK-KMK UGM.
Prof. Hamim explained that biogenomics has adopted biomedical application technology, facilitating online courses and augmented and virtual reality technology to support biomedical education.
“At FK-KMK UGM, we have also integrated 3D printing technology to replace some technologies in anatomy, for example,” he added.
He hopes the symposium can foster collaboration with members of the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB), particularly in research opportunities concerning metabolic pathways and the Krebs cycle in medical studies.
The symposium consisted of two sessions with various expert speakers. The first session featured Prof. Akira Kukuchi, Former President of FAOBMB; Prof. Joon Kim, President of FAOBMB; Prof. Shannon Au, Treasurer of FAOBMB; Dr. Sarmoko, S.Farm., M.Sc., Apt., International Affairs of PBBMI at Institut Teknologi Sumatera; and Prof. Dr. Dra. Sunarti, M.Kes., Chair of PBBMI Yogyakarta and UGM.
The second session included Prof. Sheila Nathan, General Secretary of FAOBMB, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Prof. Nirma Samarawickrema, Education Committee of Monash University; and Prof. Rasika Perera, Fellowship Committee of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
During the presentations, various topics were discussed by the speakers, including the Wnt signaling pathway in tumors, cellular ribosomal stress responses, structural dynamics of G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase), adhesion GPCR (G protein-coupled receptor) in cancer, and nutrigenetics for personalized nutrition.
“When we talk about cancer, for instance breast cancer, I focus on the regulation of estrogen growth in breast cancer or GREB1,” explained Prof. Kukuchi.
Prof. Kukuchi mentioned that if GREB1 is overexpressed in half of breast and prostate cancers, it can drive tumor growth.
Therefore, various biomedical engineering strategies are needed to respond to the massive development of cells, tissues, and other components in the human body. This challenge also drives collaboration among all related stakeholders, especially FAOBMB members.
This symposium demonstrated a commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Partnerships for the Goals (SDGs 17), Quality Education (SDGs 4), and Good Health and Well-being (SDGs 3). (Isroq Adi Subakti/Reporter).
