Alumni of the Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences and Research Assistant at the Molecular Biology and Proteomics Core Facilities Laboratory, at the Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (IMERI-FKUI), Dr. Resda Akhra Syahrani, S.Si., M.Biomed, won 3rd place in the Falling Walls Lab (FWL) Indonesia 2025 event. This competition was held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Auditorium of Petra Christian University, Surabaya.
FWL Indonesia 2025 is an innovation competition supported by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This competition provides a platform for the best young innovators from various disciplines throughout Indonesia to present their brilliant ideas. Resda, through her presentation entitled “Breaking the Wall of Breast Cancer Treatment,” presented an innovative idea that combines high creativity and dedication to addressing challenges and developing new therapies for breast cancer. “This therapy is a new breast cancer treatment that involves cutting a specific gene using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to increase cancer cell death,” said Dr. Resda.
Resda further explained that in her research, she used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to “cut” exon 2 of the survivin gene in BT-549 cancer cells. As a result, the cancer cells became more susceptible to apoptosis, lost their stemness, and were unable to grow as aggressively as before. This study was also supported by in vivo data from experimental animals, which showed that tumors treated with the survivin gene cut showed a significant reduction in nodule size.
“This research has reached the animal model stage using experimental animals. Further research is needed in higher-order animals that are closer to humans, such as primates, before conducting human trials,” said Dr. Resda.
Resda’s preparation for this competition was no easy feat. She had to simplify complex scientific and laboratory-based concepts so that they could be presented in just three minutes with just three slides. Another challenge was how to make the material understandable to everyone, as the participants, judges, and audience came from various disciplines.
Resda’s success is inseparable from the full support of the Molecular Biology and Proteomics Core Facilities Cluster. Cluster leader, Prof. Dr.rer.physiol. dr. Septelia Inawati Wanandi, who collaborated directly with Resda in designing the research concept, expressed her pride in Resda’s achievements. “Appreciation for performance and work motivates young researchers to break through the barriers of limited knowledge and research facilities to create innovative products. I am very proud of Resda’s achievements. This achievement also demonstrates the quality of research produced by IMERI-FKUI has great potential to make a real contribution to the advancement of science and public health,” said Prof. Septelia.
The Dean of FKUI, Prof. Dr. dr. Ari Fahrial Syam, SpPD-KGEH, MMB, expressed his appreciation for this achievement. “Dr. Resda’s achievements prove that the FKUI community not only excels in research but is also capable of translating scientific innovations in ways that inspire the world. FKUI is proud to have a young generation ready to bring positive change to public health,” he said.
Resda’s achievements are expected to inspire many scientists, especially those within the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKUI). Resda urged young Indonesian researchers to be more courageous in exploring ideas considered unconventional. “Don’t hesitate or be afraid, because sometimes it’s from these ideas that major breakthroughs are born,” he said.