Genome Center Established

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

A researcher works at the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology after the inauguration of the facility on Thursday (26/4/2018). The center is equipped with the latest genetic sequence devices, which makes Indonesia an international-level laboratory. The center focuses on the research to identify infectious and genetic diseases, develop diagnostic test devices and study new medicines or vaccines for infection.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Indonesia is catching up in genetic research with the recent establishment of the National Genome Center at the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology. With its modern laboratory equipment for whole-genome analysis, the Eijkman Institute can better identify the relationship between genetics and diseases to support precision medicine according to variations in a patient’s genome.

A genome is the complete set of genetic material found in every cell or living organism. Knowledge of genomes is necessary to understand living people, especially their health risk, resistance against illnesses, physical features and characteristic tendencies.

Another application of whole-genome analysis is in analyzing the genetics of ancient humans and discovering new medicines. Another benefit is that it supports research into species and superior seed engineering, as well as biodiversity conservation.

“Singapore already has [a genome center]. We need a bigger one, as we really need it,” said Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohammad Nasir on Thursday (26/4/2018) during the center’s inauguration at the Eijkman Institute in Central Jakarta.

The National Genome Center is expected to support better healthcare and research on the origins of the Indonesian people. “We will fully support the Eijkman Institute and encourage it to be a strong and independent research center,” said Nasir.

The Eijkman Institute received Rp 50 billion (US$3.6 million) in government funding to establish the National Genome Center. The Eijkman Institute’s Safarina G Malik, who manages the National Genome Center, said the funding was used primarily to procure lab equipment.

The new equipment includes a next-generation sequencing (NGS) machine for whole-genome sequencing, a Sanger sequencing machine for small-scale DNA sequencing, and a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) equipment for DNA sequencing and amplification. Part of the funding also went to creating a server room with data storage and processing capacity of 180 terabytes.

“With this equipment, we are moving forward to set ourselves as equals with molecular biology laboratories abroad. We have prepared the equipment and the resources for data analysis and application,” said Safarina.

According to Nasir, procuring the latest equipment was necessary to catch up with the rapidly developing advancements in science and technology. “This is especially to avoid any deviation from the industry. Our research results have deviated on several occasions once they were released, as our lab equipment was out of date,” he said.

Strategic

Eijkman Institute chair Amin Soebandrio said that genome research was highly important, as it had strategic value in the scientific world, also had important commercial and national biosecurity applications.

“From only 10 milliliters of blood, we can map the entire genome sequence of an individual. If Indonesians send their blood samples abroad, the genetic data will belong to [the receiving research agencies],” said Amin. “Just like the increasing practice of keeping umbilical cord cells, the state must be able to concoct special medicines in line with the profiles of the Indonesian people and their illnesses.”

Eijkman Institute deputy director Herawati Sudoyo Supolo said that precision medicine, which was based on an individual’s genetic information, was the front line of medical science. Various contemporary studies showed that genetic variations highly impacted an individual’s vulnerability or resistance to certain diseases or reactions to drugs.

Population genetic data was needed to apply precision medicine. The Eijkman Institute pioneered a genetic study of Indonesians 15 years ago, with samples collected from various regions across the country. The institute has collected the genetic data for thousands of Indonesians of varying ethnicities, which could be used to jumpstart the era of precision medicine.

In establishing the National Genome Center, it is expected that knowledge of Indonesians’ health will improve so that health issues can be resolved precisely and at a significant rate. “We will work together with a number of institutions, including the Health Ministry and health insurance companies, to manage the research results,” said Nasir.

(AIK)