OVERVIEW BIOTECHNOLOGY IN INDONESIA

By

Triadi Basuki, L. Broto S. Kardono and Muhammad Hanafi

Research Center for Chemistry, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)

Kawasan PUSPIPTEK Serpong 1614, Tangerang, Indonesia

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Introduction

Biotechnology, in wider sense, has been known and practiced for a long time in Indonesia although most people do not understand what is happening in the process and why it is called biotechnology. The European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) definition seems fit to be adopted for explaining the present status of biotechnology in Indonesia, as this definition is applicable to both ‘traditional or old’ (such as “tempe” – fermented soybean) and ‘new or modern’ biotechnology (such as protein structure).

Biotechnology can be defined as the application and practical use of technology in living organism (Bio) to benefit mankind. The traditional empirical method was used to produce wine, vinegar, tempe, tape (fermented cassava or glutinous rice), cheese and other food products which were fermented. Of course our forefathers did not know by then, that they were using micro organisms to be able to preserve the food. This empirical phase can be described as the first generation biotechnology, which started from 4000 BC till 1953 with the publication of Watson and Crick’s double-helix DNA (Setiawan, 2005).

Since 1953, with the description of the double-helix structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick to explain how DNA carries the genetic code, the science of Biotechnology has advanced rapidly and great progress has been made. We are entering the second generation of Biotechnology, which lasted from 1953 till 2000, with the completion of the Human Genome project. All our hereditary traits are stored and locked up in chromosomes, which basically consists of long strands of the DNA molecule. The central dogma of molecular biology is located in the double-helix DNA molecule which is the key to understand the secrets of life. The phenotype and genotype of all living organisms are defined by DNA. The basic mechanism of DNA replication, mRNA formation for transcription and the translation process to protein synthesis by messenger-RNA, transfer-RNA and ribosomal-RNA are the key factors in understanding the process of life and disease.

The year 2000 is another milestone in life science. We are coming to the third generation of Biotechnology with the completion of the first map of the Human Genome, with key roles played by the Whitehead Institute’s Center for Genomic Research and Genome Therapeutics. Medicine now stands to understand better the complex mechanism health and disease. This fundamental understanding opens the possibility of finding new and effective treatments for cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental disorders and genomics and functional proteomics. We must now unravel the function of the genetic code (Setiawan, 2005).

Biotechnology in Indonesia

With the background highlighted in the beginning paper, from traditional to modern biotechnology, under the coordination of Ministry of Education, Ministry of Research and Technology, Ministry of Agricultural and Ministry of Health. -in the mid of 1980’s- biotechnology Indonesia started by identifying institutions working in biotechnology, type of works, manpower and biotechnology facilities. In October 1994, Indonesia Biotechnology Consortium (IBC) was established. The aim of IBC is actively engage in mastering, developing and making use the benefit of biotechnology wisely for the prosperity of mankind and environment conservation. These activities are conducted by building up: (1) cooperation among government and private institutions working in the field of biotechnology, (2) communication and synergistic cooperation with foreign institutions in the field of biotechnology which are related, and (3) assist government in developing of sectors that relate to biotechnology. At present, more than 34 institutions belong to the government and privates working in the field of biotechnology are member of IBC (Retnoningrum et al, 2005).

Biotechnology research priorities and applications have been outlined as the following:

Medicine and human health (pharmacognosy)

  • Genetic disorders,
  • Infectious diseases,
  • Degenerative and malignancy diseases

Agriculture, food production, and fisheries

  • Isolations and identification of abiotic stress resistance gene(s) markers,
  • Field tests for efficacy and food safety,
  • Development of diagnostic kit for marine pollutant and pathogens

Industries, environment protection and remediation

  • Development of recombinant vaccine production,
  • Development of novel antibiotics from local microbes,
  • Environment protection and bioremediation

The development of biotechnology mentioned above are very much affected by the critical success factors i.e. infrastructure development, regulatory/cultural environment, policy development, human resource development, finance and resource mobilization. With the Indonesia current situation at present, focus of research priorities is required.

In July 27-28, 2005 Workshop on The Establishment of Biotechnology Information Network Asia (BINASIA) in Indonesia was launched. The Workshop was attended by IBC and a number of IBC members’ institutions (self financing). This workshop marked Indonesia become member of BINASIA Network.

The Issues

BINASIA must become the information Hub for Biotech Asia

There is a need to start a regional organization, which coordinate the various activities of Biotechnology and research. Spreading information is the beginning of all activities that can stimulate people working in different fields of biotechnology. BINASIA must take initiative and hopefully this will start snow-balling info all other related Biotechnology activities.

Recommendations

  1. Considering the limited financial and human resources in Indonesia, therefore focus of the focus of all Biotechnology fields must be taken,
  2. The Government must stimulate Innovation by giving tax incentive to industries doing research,
  3. Effort must be made to facilitate Government-University-Industry cooperation,
  4. Applied Research in Universities and Government Research Institutions should be done in close cooperation with industries,
  5. BINASIA should become the communication hub for International and Regional Cooperation and Technology Transfer.
  6. In order to understand better on BINASIA, IBC (Indonesia Biotechnology Consortium), particularly its member’s institutions are encouraged to open the website and to fill their specific activities accordingly. This activity will certainly open the possibility of having positive respond from institutions having similar activities of other BINASIA member countries.
  7. IBC periodical meeting should cover report on the progress of IBC member institutions to engage with the respective institution(s) from other BINASIA member countries.

Retnoningrum, D.S., E. Kardena and A.S. Noer. 2005. Indonesia Biotechnology Consortium: Present and Future. Workshop on the Establishment of Biotechnology Information Network Asia (BINASIA) Nodal in Indonesia. July 27-28, Jakarta.

Setiawan, B. 2005. Future of Industrial Biotechnology. Workshop on the Establishment of Biotechnology Information Network Asia (BINASIA) Nodal in Indonesia. July 27-28, Jakarta.