The Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, successfully held a guest lecture on September 30, 2024, in the Widyaloka Building at Universitas Brawijaya. Attended by hundreds of students from the Bioprocess Engineering and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering study programs, the lecture featured Prof. Jyh-Jiah Chen from the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, who delivered a presentation on “Introduction to Portable Instrument for DNA Measurement.” The event, held from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, was moderated by Darmanto, S.T., M.T., a senior lecturer at the Department of Biosystems Engineering.
The event began with opening remarks from Darmanto, S.T., M.T., who introduced Prof. Jyh-Jiah Chen’s background and his expertise in biosystems technology, specifically in DNA measurement. Darmanto emphasized that this theme is highly relevant to the growing advancements in biotechnology, especially in the rapidly evolving field of DNA detection. He hoped that this material would provide students with fresh insights into the importance of DNA measurement in science and technology.
Prof. Jyh-Jiah Chen started his presentation by highlighting the significance of DNA detection, particularly in medical, environmental, and agricultural research. He explained how DNA measurement technology is a critical tool for faster and more accurate diagnosis and genetic mapping. “In a continuously evolving world, DNA measurement methods are essential to support practical and portable research,” Prof. Chen stated.
Prof. Chen then discussed various existing DNA detection methods, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a commonly used DNA amplification method in molecular biology. He introduced innovations in advanced PCR chip development, enabling DNA measurement to be conducted in a more compact and portable manner. Prof. Chen emphasized that PCR chips and continuous flow PCR are promising technologies for efficient DNA detection.
Following the presentation, the moderator opened a question-and-answer session for the students. Participants were highly enthusiastic, asking various questions about the practical applications of portable PCR technology and the challenges faced in its development, particularly in the field of biosystems engineering. Prof. Chen addressed each question in detail, explaining that although portable PCR technology still has some technical challenges, such as temperature accuracy and stability, research is ongoing to overcome these issues.
As the event concluded, Darmanto, S.T., M.T., the moderator, expressed gratitude to Prof. Jyh-Jiah Chen for sharing his knowledge and experience in DNA measurement technology. Darmanto also conveyed his hope that students could use this knowledge to advance research in biosystems. This guest lecture is expected to provide students with new insights into the importance of portable technology for DNA measurement. The participants were highly enthusiastic and responded positively to the material presented. Both students and faculty hoped that this knowledge could be applied in future research development at Universitas Brawijaya, especially in the field of biosystems engineering.
