Diponegoro University Indonesia
The focus of the Center for Tropical Coastal and Marine Studies (CTCMS) at Diponegoro University Indonesia is on bioprospecting of microbial symbionts of marine invertebrates and marine plants as a sustainable source of marine natural products.
Screening has been carried out on symbionts of sponges, corals, softcorals, tunicates, mollusks, nudibranches, seaweeds, and seagrasses obtained from geographically different areas across Indonesia.
Assays for antibacterial and antifungal activities are established in the laboratory and include common clinical pathogens. Secondary metabolite production in bacteria and fungi associated with marine invertebrates is studied, in particular interactions between microorganisms and coral species.
Tools for the genetic analysis of PKS and NRPS biosynthesis are used to identify biosynthetic pathways in marine bacteria and fungi. Recently, CTCMS is very engaged in research on secondary metabolites of marine fungi with regard to the ecological role of the compounds. Recent scientific collaborations have been conducted with partners from IFM-GEOMAR, Kiel, Germany and from Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Genova, Italy.
PI contact: Dr. Ocky Karna Radjasa ocky_radjasa (@) undip.ac.id