REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CIBINONG -- Indonesia, through the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), now owns the Indonesian Culture Collection (InaCC), a microorganism collection center, which can help to improve the quality of food, animal feed, clothing, environment, health, and energy.
"InaCC is Indonesia's contribution to science, especially in the fields of microbiology and biotechnology," Head of LIPI Professor Dr Lukman Hakim noted in Cibinong, West Java, on Thursday.
With the presence of LIPI's InaCC, Lukman believes that sustainable utilization of microorganisms can be accelerated. Current advances in technology have enabled us to quickly unveil the benefits of microorganisms.
Several obstacles currently hinder the process of development and utilization of microorganisms. In addition, technical issues related to provision, management, legislation, and ownership of microorganisms coupled with the issue of security and safety also pose several challenges.
A scientific authority functioning as a reference center for national biological resource management, LIPI embodies the utilization of microorganisms through the construction of the InaCC Microorganism Collection Center.
According to LIPI's Main Secretary Dr Siti Nuramaliati Prijono, LIPI has commenced work on exploration, characterization, identification, and collection of microorganisms from various parts of Indonesia since the 1960s.
"It is expected that InaCC can become Indonesia's indigenous microorganism conservation site and a national reference center," Siti stated.
The construction of this microorganism collection center is supported by the international community through the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program, which is a joint collaboration between the governments of Japan and Indonesia.
The construction of InaCC had been announced by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on May 27, 2014, and was officially opened by Vice President Boediono.
Coinciding with this official ceremony, LIPI will also hold an exhibition to disseminate the results of LIPI's flagship research to the public. The event titled "LIPI EXPO" will be held in the InaCC LIPI building, Cibinong, West Java, on September 11-13, 2014.
The event will showcase a water processing device, noodle molding device, and drugs for cancer. A lithium battery prototype and ground movement sensor will also be displayed during the event.
The exhibition will be divided into several sections such as water, food, information services, disasters, energy, and also social interest.
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