Semarang, October 9, 2025 — The Biotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Diponegoro University (UNDIP), successfully held an intensive 8-hour workshop focused on the application of cutting-edge genetic technologies. This activity was part of the World Class University (WCU) – National Postdoctoral Program and was conducted onsite on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Carrying the theme “Application of KASP Genotyping Technology in SNP Identification,” the workshop represented a synergistic collaboration between academia and industry, featuring two expert speakers: Dr. M. Eka Prastya, S.Si., M.Si., from the Research Center for Natural Product Materials and Traditional Medicine, Bioactivity of Natural Products Research Group, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and Maria Swastika, M.Biomed., representing the industry partner Sciencewerke. The workshop aimed to enhance participants’ competencies in Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)-based genetic analysis efficiently. The event comprised a theoretical session held in Room 402, 4th Floor, Acintya Prasada Building, and a hands-on practical session in the Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Diponegoro University.
The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Sri Pujiyanto, S.Si., M.Si., Head of the Undergraduate Biotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, UNDIP, and Chair of the WCU National Postdoctoral Program. In his remarks, he emphasized that this workshop represents UNDIP’s strong commitment to strengthening the national research ecosystem, particularly in the field of biotechnology, through knowledge transfer and mastery of the latest genomic technologies. He also highlighted that improving understanding and application of KASP Genotyping aims to ensure its sustainable implementation in academic and research activities within the program.
The workshop was attended by members of the academic community, including lecturers, laboratory staff, and biotechnology students. The first scientific session, delivered by Dr. M. Eka Prastya, discussed the advantages and applications of KASP (Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) Genotyping from the perspective of an academic and researcher. He explained that KASP is a PCR-based genotyping technique that has become revolutionary due to its low cost, high accuracy, and rapid analysis, making it suitable for high-throughput SNP genotyping.
The second session, presented by Maria Swastika, M.Biomed. from Sciencewerke, highlighted the use of KASP technology in crop breeding and compared it with other genotyping platforms. She emphasized the importance of adopting this technology to address global challenges such as increasing food demand, developing disease-resistant crop varieties, and creating climate-smart agricultural solutions.
To strengthen participants’ technical understanding and practical skills, the workshop included a hands-on laboratory session at the Biotechnology Laboratory, FSM UNDIP. Participants — comprising lecturers, laboratory assistants, and students — received direct training on DNA extraction and SNP analysis under the guidance of the Sciencewerke expert team. The session concluded with a data interpretation discussion, deepening participants’ abilities to analyze genotyping results.
The workshop officially concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Sri Pujiyanto, M.Si., followed by a group photo with all participants and speakers. Through this event, as part of the WCU National Postdoctoral Program, the Biotechnology Study Program of Diponegoro University reaffirms its commitment to continuously strengthening UNDIP’s research performance and scientific publications, particularly in the field of biotechnology.
