Tamalanrea-Makassar. 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 in the LPPM Unhas Hall and connected directly via the zoom meeting application, Tuesday (22/11/2022).
The activity began with a report from the committee chairman, Dr. Irmawati, S.Pi., M.Sc. In his report he stated that this activity aims to provide information related to molecular applications in plant breeding.
Plant breeding is a method used to create new, superior types of plants. In the plant breeding process, methods and techniques are needed, molecular markers are one of the more modern techniques that can be applied in plant breeding.
“I hope that 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, Faculty of Forestry, Unhas, Syahidah, S.Hut., M.Si., Ph.D. In his speech, he expressed his thanks to the international science talk webinar committee for their hard work so that this event could be carried out well and he also appreciated this activity.
“I really appreciate this activity, it is a very useful activity for all of us to know, understand and apply tree breeding techniques, in this case molecular breeding techniques in the Wallacea region,” explained Syahidah.
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.Sc., (Lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Husbandry Unhas), Dana Chow (Field Application Manager APAC at LGC, Biosearch Technologies, Malaysia), Prof. Dr. Ir. Andi Khaeruni, M.Sc. (Lecturer at the 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”. The material conveys the history of the use of molecular markers, the development of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) along with technology, the purposes of plant breeding and sampling and so on.
“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 material with the theme “Molecular Approaches for Plants and Microbes”. The material presented was related to plant biodiversity, microbial biodiversity and exploration.
Arenga pinnata and Diospyros celebica microsatellite primer design using illumina sequencing, namely, DNA Isolation, SSR location using MISA Software, primer selection and validation of Arenga Pinnata and Ebony.
The next material was delivered by Dana Chow (Field Application Manager APAC at LGC, Biosearch Technologies, Malaysia), Dr. Muhammad Ihsan A. Dagong, S.Pt., M.Sc., 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.Sc. 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. It went smoothly until 16.00 WITA.
The activity will continue on Wednesday (23/11), namely the Hand-On Workshop “SNPs Genotyping Using KASP Method in Real Time PCR” which will take place offline to facilitate participants in applying RT PCR-based molecular techniques.