RI scientists win prestigious award

RI scientists win prestigious award

Zora Rahman, Contributor, Jakarta

When industry can get advantage of a scientific research, there
is usually a sponsor to find. With this intention the German
Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft,
Europes biggest applied research institutes, awarded the First
DAAD-Fraunhofer Technopreneur Award in Life Sciences 2003.

The award was presented by the German Ambassador to Indonesia
Gerhard Fulda with the attendance of the Secretary of the
Minister of Research and Technology Dr. Ashwin Sasongko S.MSC,
last Tuesday.

The winners were Dr. Haryanti of the Research Institute for
Mariculture on Bali for her proposal on Vaccine Recombinant for
Grouper Fish Viral Disease and Dr. Siswanto of the Biotechnology
Research Institute for Estate Crops in Bogor for his research of
the topic Development of Diagnostic Kits and Large Scale
Production of RVNRL or DPNR Latex to Produce Rubber Products with
Low Allergenic Proteins.

Both scientists received generous prize money and a six-month
fellowship at Fraunhofer institute in Germany, where they can
continue their research with the assistance of the German
scientific community.

"I expect this cooperation will improve my knowledge of my
research topic," Dr. Haryanti said. "To continue with this kind
of research on a commercial level is costly and sophisticated
equipment is needed. Fraunhofer Institute has the resources to
allow me to do this."

Complicated theoretical statements and long explanations were
not criteria for the award. It was the relevance and the market
potential of the research proposals that counted.

"This award shall contribute to unfold the innovation-oriented
potential of Indonesian researchers," director of DAAD, Ilona
Krueger-Rechmann, said in her speech at the presentation
ceremony. "Both winners have outstanding research experience in
their fields and their proposals were very well prepared."

Dr. Siswanto's research involves something that is used
commonly -- it is the basic for latex gloves, gauges for blood
pressure, condoms and many other essentials -- rubber.

Indonesia is number two in the world's rubber production,
after Thailand.

Many rubber products are used in direct contact with the human
skin and as natural rubber or latex can cause different kinds of
allergies, artificial latex has risen in popularity.

Products used in the medical industry have created a huge
problem for Indonesia and other producers of rubber. The means of
finding out how to detect the allergenic proteins in natural
rubber has become even more important and not only in Indonesia.

Dr. Siswanto, a specialist in plant biochemistry and molecular
biology, has been researching rubber over a long period of time
and has already succeeded in inventing a formula to cure diseases
in rubber plantations.

"This award is very important for my me and my institute not
only because of the prestige and the financial support, but
because I can complete the research project and put my findings
into practice," the scientist said. "So I am optimistic that I
will arrive back with the detection kit for allergenic proteins
that we need so badly."

Another important resource for the Indonesian economy is the
fishing industry, the field of Dr. Haryanti. The specialist in
aquatic biotechnology invented a probiotic bacterium two years
ago. Her new research aims to find a method of fighting the viral
diseases that cause the mass mortality of Grouper fish and larva.

"Vaccine recombinant technology is expected to improve fish
immunity and fish health without disturbing biological
activities."

Out of the 15 applicants, the award winners were said to be
outstanding in their research fields and in the clear formulation
of their proposals. Dr. Haryanti and Dr. Siswanto did not
hesitate to agree to six-months away, even if they have never
been to Germany before and have to leave their families behind.

Both German and Indonesian officials hope the cooperation
between the countries will lead to the mutual benefit of academic
knowledge and contribute toward their economies.

"With this pilot project we want to awaken the interest of
scientists in applied research," Ilona Krueger-Rechmann said. "If
this is successful, there is a good chance we will continue the
award in Indonesia and perhaps start similar award-schemes in
other countries."