The Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science (FIKP) of Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) held a Diaspora Webinar with the theme “Molecular Genetics for Basic Natural History and Biodiversity Research”. The public lecture was carried out virtually through the Zoom Meeting application on Monday (27/9).
The public lecture presented a speaker, Davin H. E. Setiamarga, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, National Institute of Technology, Wakayama College). Davin is an expert in genomics, evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, evo-devo, marine biology, and molecular evolution.
Davin Setiamarga explained Biodiversity Genomics, a field of science that examines biodiversity to find its origin and evolution, using genomics/molecular biology methods to analyze genes, DNA, proteins, and living organic molecules.
“The study of the diversity of living organisms, plants and animals, examines and observes how these living organisms interact with each other in their environment. Then, the living organisms will be identified by classification, taxonomy and systematics,” explained Davin.
Furthermore, Davin added that currently, about 97% of the diversity of animals is invertebrate, so in the sampling process, the selected samples must represent the population of organisms in that area. The process is necessary to avoid a sampling bias, which results when some population members have little or no chance of being selected.
“It is better if the sample can be stored to avoid repeated sampling so that it can damage the environmental conservation and maintain the quality, the diversity and the value of a healthy ecosystem,” explained Davin.
The webinar guided by Dr. Widyastuti Umar, S.Kel (Lecturer of Marine Science Study Program FIKP) as moderator was attended by approximately 350 participants.
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor : Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
