Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) through the Faculty of Forestry and the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) in collaboration with Biosearch Technologies Genomic Analysis by LGC and ScienceWerke held an international webinar entitled Science Talk with the theme “Acceleration of Molecular Breeding In The Wallacea Region”. The activity took place starting at 09.00 Wita offline at the LPPM UNHAS Hall and connected directly through the zoom meeting application, Tuesday (11/22).
The activity began with the report of the committee chairman, Dr. Irmawati, S.Pi., M.Si. in his report he conveyed that this activity aims to provide information related to molecular applications in plant breeding.
Plant breeding is a method used to create new types of plants that are superior. In the process of plant breeding, methods and techniques are needed, molecular markers are one of the more modern techniques that can be applied in plant breeding.
“I hope this activity can provide information to international science talk webinar participants regarding molecular applications in plant breeding,” explained Dr. Irmawati.
On the same occasion, the Deputy Dean for Academic and Student Affairs of the Faculty of Forestry UNHAS, Syahidah, S.Hut., M.Si., Ph.D. in her remarks expressed her gratitude to the international science talk webinar committee for their hard work so that this event could be carried out well and she also appreciated this activity.
“I quite appreciate this activity, an activity that is very useful for all of us to know, understand and apply tree breeding techniques, in this case molecular breeding techniques in the Wallacea region,” Syahidah explained.
The activity was officially opened by the Secretary of the Hasanuddin University Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM UNHAS), Suharman Hamzah, S.T., M.T., Ph.D..
After the official opening, the activity then continued with the presentation of material from the speakers. Present as speakers, Darshna Vyas (Senior Geneticist at LGC Biosearch Technologies, United Kingdom), Dr. Muhammad Ihsan A. Dagong, S.Pt., M.Si., (Lecturer at Faculty of Animal Husbandry, UNHAS), Dana Chow (Field Application Manager APAC at LGC, Biosearch Technologies, Malaysia), Prof. Dr. Ir. Andi Khaeruni, M.Si. (Lecturer at Faculty of Agriculture, Haluoleo University) and Dr. Ir. Siti Halimah Larekeng, S.P., M.P. (Research and Development Center of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, LPPM UNHAS).
The first material was presented by Darshna Vyas with the theme “Advanced of Molecular Breeding Programs and Associated Technologies”. In the material presented related to the history of the use of molecular markers, the development of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) along with technology, the purpose of breeding and plant sampling and others.
“The development of molecular markers has a positive impact on increasing precision, increasing applications in breeding and accelerating plant breeding programs,” explained Darshna Vyas.
Dr. Ir. Siti Halimah Larekeng, S.P., M.P. presented the material with the theme “Molecular Approaches for Plant and Microbes”. In the material presented related to plant biodiversity, microbial biodiversity and exploration.
Primer design of Arenga Pinnata and Diospyros celebica microsatellites using Illumina sequencing, namely, DNA Isolation, SSR location using MISA Software, primer selection and validation of Arenga Pinnata and Ebony.
The next material was presented by Dana Chow (Field Application Manager APAC at LGC, Biosearch Technologies, Malaysia), Dr. Muhammad Ihsan A. Dagong, S.Pt., M.Si., presented material with the theme “Molecular Genetic Characterization of Local Goat from South Sulawesi and Eastern Part of Indonesia”, Prof. Dr. Ir. Andi Khaeruni, M.Si. presented material with the theme “Application of PCR-Based Biomolecular in Plant Disease Management”.
After the presentation of the material, the activity then continued with a question and answer session and joint discussion. The event went smoothly until 16.00 Wita.
The activity will continue on the second day, namely the Hand-On Workshop “SNPs Genotyping Using KASP Method in Real Time PCR” which takes place offline with limited participants so that participants are able to apply RT PCR-based molecular techniques.
