Diana Sinta Pramudita, a 2020 student from Plant Protection Program, earned a silver medal for her research project titled “Uncovering Anti-Virulence Proteins Through Gene Mining in Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum Phages as Potential Biocontrol Agents for Wilt Disease”. This achievement was presented at the 3rd International Conference in Biological Science X Open Bioproject Competition 2024. Her dedication to plant protection inspired this innovative approach to combating plant diseases.
Nana, as she is affectionately called, developed her research project during her internship at the Bioinformatics Research Center-Institute of Bioinformatics Indonesia (BRC INBIO). Her study focuses on bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, a Gram-negative bacterium resistant to conventional control methods.
According to Nana, bacteriophages, or phages, offer a promising solution by infecting and breaking down bacterial cells through the production of depolymerase enzymes, which enhance the effectiveness of disease control.
“By integrating gene mining with bioinformatics, we can identify anti-virulence genes in R. pseudosolanacearum phages. This analysis allows researchers to pinpoint genes encoding depolymerase enzymes, enabling more precise targeting of bacterial pathogens. I believe combining phage therapy with gene mining offers a sustainable and effective strategy for controlling bacterial wilt in crops,” Nana explained.
Nana presented her research at the scientific conference held on September 28-29th, 2024, at Widyaloka Building, Universitas Brawijaya. For her, this experience was a personal challenge to overcome shyness and improve her public speaking skills.
Her six-month preparation and research journey were guided by Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Subandiyah, M.Agr.Sc., from UGM’s Department of Plant Pests and Diseases, and her internship mentor at BRC INBIO, Afif Pranaya Jati, S.P., M.Sc. Alongside this success, Nana, in collaboration with Irtiyaah Mareta Sari (Forestry 2021), also won first place in the scientific poster competition.
Nana, a Fast Track student pursuing both her undergraduate degree in Plant Protection and her master’s in Plant Pest Science, exemplifies UGM’s commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
Written by: Hanita Athasari Zain & Agrit Kirana Bunda
Edited by: Desi Utami
Photo: Nana’s Documentation