The launch of BioColomelt-Dx as part of the partnership between PathGen Diagnostik Teknologi and Bio Farma, would not be possible without the support from several key collaborators, particularly in the clinical validation phase, which includes Dharmais Cancer Hospital, BRIN, RSCM, UI, UGM, Dr. RSUP. Sardjito, UNRI, UMP, Indonesian Embassy in London, and Nottingham University.
We would like to introduce you to Gilang, one of PathGen’s young scientist who is the key person in coordinating and overseeing the collective effort to deliver BioColoMelt- as the first molecular diagnostics kit for cancer being validated and produced in Indonesia.
Gilang obtained her MSc from the Institute of Biomedical Materials and Tissue Engineering, Taipei Medical University after completing her BSc in Pharmacy from Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto. She is one of the researchers who are working primarily in PathGen doing the day-to-day research and development for the company.
Among a few of activities that Gilang did to support BioColomet-Dx development and validation were,
- Collaborated and coordinated with many doctors from the institution and hospital partners
- Collected Indonesia Colorectal Cancer (CRC) samples from the partners institution and hospital
- Submitted the ethical clearance to the local board of research ethics for the use of patient tissues
- Performed patients’ tissue sectioning, DNA extraction from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, and quality control
- Developed of a highly sensitive PCR test
- Performed data analysis, performed DNA Sequencing
- Conducted market survey and evaluated potential market
Being a researcher is her prime passion. She said that “Being a scientist is my childhood dream since I was 11 y.o. I saw Albert Einstein’s biography on the TV channel (TVRI) and at that moment, I got inspired to be a scientist like him. I thought being a scientist was a very cool job. I enjoy dealing with research and all its challenges. I really love learning and finding the answer to my question. That’s why I love my job so much. I hope I can contribute to providing benefits to mankind through my work in PathGen”.
“I realize that dealing with research means dealing with failures. However, failure will give many lessons to lead us to gain the answer. So just be ready to face the failures and never stop trying and learning”.
Gilang Akbariani, A young scientist