BRIN chief pushes use of digital biodiversity database

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Chairman of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Laksana Tri Handoko, has called for greater use of the digital database mapping Indonesia’s biodiversity for creating products quickly and efficiently.

During a virtual discussion on microbiomes, accessed by ANTARA from Jakarta on Friday, Handoko said that digitalization is a tool that needs to be used more effectively.

The simplest process that can be carried out via digitalization is capturing and storing images, he said. At the moment, the process is still being carried out in the spirit of conserving biodiversity, including microbes, he added.

He said that such a measure can be an initial step towards digital taxonomy.

In addition, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to capture a cross-sectional image of specimens, which, in turn, aid the process of reconstruction, as well as acquiring genome data, DNA, and protein structure storage as well as chemical compounds from the specimen, Handoko pointed out.

“These digital data have started to become available and are waiting to be utilized further, in order for us to create various products based on our biodiversity in a more speedy and efficient manner,” he added.

That way, he continued, the benefits of Indonesia’s abundant natural resources can be explored more effectively.

Related news: One Health underpins RI’s biodiversity efforts: minister at UN summit

Related news: Ministry warns against use of animals in circuses, shows in Indonesia

Related news: BRIN should be able to support Indonesia’s development: scientist