The collaboration between Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and the BioTUNE Consortium, which has been ongoing since 2020, is a strategic step in developing innovative multifunctional biomedicine scaffolds with antibacterial properties. Saifuddin Aziz, a PhD student at UGM under the supervision of Prof. drg. Ika Dewi Ana, M.Kes., Ph.D., has successfully completed a five-month research project (March–May 2024) at the Biomaterials, Biomechanics, and Tissue Engineering Research Group (BBT-UPC) laboratory in Barcelona, Spain.
This research, which is part of his dissertation, is led by Prof. Yusril Yusuf (FMIPA), Prof. Ika Dewi Ana (Faculty of Dentistry, FKG), and Prof. Harno Dwi Pranowo (FMIPA), and focuses on the development of PVA/Silver CHA nanofibers to add antibacterial properties to implants to combat peri-implantitis. Aziz's research makes a significant contribution to the field of scaffold and biomedical implant development, advancing medical implant technology in Indonesia and extending the global impact of UGM’s research in antibacterial innovations.
Prof. Ika from the Department of Biomedical Dentistry, FKG UGM, as one of the supervisors, played a key role in providing invaluable guidance and direction in the knowledge and technology related to antibacterial scaffolds. Under Prof. Ika’s supervision, Aziz successfully developed 3D hydroxyapatite materials functionalized with antibacterial peptides under the guidance of Dr. Carles Mas-Moruno and Dr. Anna Díez-Escudero.
Prof. Ika’s mentorship focuses on enhancing expertise and supporting the creation of relevant medical innovations for Indonesia through biomedical scaffold technology. This international collaboration strengthens UGM's efforts to develop safer and more effective medical scaffolds and implants.
After completing his research, on June 10, 2024, Saifuddin Aziz successfully defended his PhD dissertation titled ‘Synthesis of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Silver Doped Carbonate Hydroxyapatite Composite Nanofibers with Antibacterial Properties against Peri-implantitis and The Study of The Position of Silver in The Nanofiber’ , officially earning his Doctoral degree in Chemistry from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).
Through this project, UGM contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG Goal 3, aiming to improve health and well-being by advancing research for more innovative antibacterial medical implants. Additionally, this collaboration supports SDG Goal 17 by strengthening global partnerships and SDG Goal 4 by enhancing education and training for young researchers in Indonesia in the field of biomedical scaffolds and biomedicine in general.
Authors: Tia & Pram
