Resda Akhra Syahrani, S.Sc., M.Biomed, Research Assistant at the Molecular Biology and Proteomics Core Facilities Laboratory, Indonesia Medical Education and Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, UniversitasIndonesia (MBPCF IMERI FKUI) was selected as the top 5 best young scientists for the Merck Young Indonesian Scientist Award 2023.
In this competition, Resda submitted her research entitled “Establishment of survivin knockout in triple negative breast cancer using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and its correlation to proliferation and apoptosis”. Survivin is a protein that is highly expressed in breast cancer, especially the triple negative breast cancer subtype. The high level of survivin protein causes a high rate of cell division and inhibits the cell death process. Therefore, this research was carried out to develop deletion of the survivin gene using the latest genome editing method, namely CRISPR/Cas9.
“There are still not many people doing research on cancer using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method in Indonesia, and existing research is mostly done on plants,” said Resda, who is currently studying at the FKUI Biomedical Science Doctoral Program.
The Merck Young Scientist Award is a scientific competition organized by Merck, a science and technology company, since 2018. This competition aims to inspire and encourage young scientists to create life science innovations and present solutions that can overcome various challenges in the health sector.
This event is open to all Indonesian citizen scientists under the age of 40 with research qualifications including product development and knowledge in the agricultural, health and environmental sectors that have been studied in laboratory tests. This competition starts in September 2023 where each participant sends a research proposal that is currently being carried out. It was recorded that 136 proposals were submitted, and the jury selected 12 semi finalists who were announced at the end of October 2023. At the main event, the 12 semi finalists presented the results of their research in poster form and then the top 5 were selected to compete in the final round. In this final round, each finalist presented the results of the research being conducted and went through a Q & A session from the jury panel.
“I am very grateful to be able to get 5th place at the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award. I did not think that I would be included in the top 12 semi finalist round, let alone the top 5 finalist round. I realized that young researchers in Indonesia have a high research spirit. Apart from that, the quality of the research produced also brings great benefits to the progress of research in Indonesia. Therefore, being selected to be part of the group of young researchers in 2023 is a matter of pride for me,” said Resda when receiving the award which took place on Thursday, 23 November 2023 at the Aston Priority Simatupang Hotel, Jakarta.
Dean of FKUI, Prof. Dr. dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, Sp.PD-KGEH., MMB expressed his pride in the achievements achieved by Resda. According to him, Resda Akhra Syahrani’s success in the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award is a matter of pride for FKUI. “As Dean of FKUI, I would like to express our pride in having Resda as a member of the research team at MBPCF IMERI FKUI. Her achievements not only reflect the outstanding quality of his research, but also confirm our commitment to the development of science at the global level. At her young age, we hope that Resda will continue to make greater contributions to the scientific world in the future. Hopefully, this achievement will be an inspiration for the younger generation to pursue their dreams in science,” said Prof Ari Fahrial Syam.
FKUI Public Relations Writer | Editor: Finda Salsabila
