This expedition involved several experts from ITB, including Functional Genomics Expert Prof. Fenny Martha Dwivany, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., Genomic Bioinformatics Expert Husna Nugrahapraja, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., and Master's Program in Biotechnology student, Zico Arman. The research team was also accompanied by researchers from BRIN, namely Prof. Ocky Karna Radjasa (PI), Dr. Charlie Ester de Fretes, and Zen Ladestam Siallagan, M.Sc.

The research team was equipped with advanced and sophisticated technology to explore samples in extreme and hard-to-reach locations. These included a submersible vessel capable of providing unobstructed views of the ocean, which can dive up to 1,000 meters below sea level (mbsl) with a capacity of 2-3 crew members.

Additionally, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) operated from a distance can reach depths of 6,000 mbsl to record parts of the ocean such as underwater volcanoes or hydrothermal vents.

The researchers are conducting research and sample amplification in the laboratory. The research aims to perform microbial bioprospecting to produce potential metabolite compounds in the industrial and health sectors using Genome Mining and Synthetic Biology approaches.

Although no new living organisms have been discovered yet, the research team has collected membrane filters for bacteria and sediment from sites at depths of more than 1,000 mbsl, even up to 4,500 mbsl. Another interesting finding was the three species of orca whales (killer whales), which are rarely found in Indonesia.

The expedition with OceanX is the beginning of efforts to collect samples from the deep sea in various regions of Indonesia. This effort is expected to yield valuable data on microbial diversity, new metabolic pathways and biochemical processes, and potential biotechnological applications. Findings from this expedition will be shared with the global scientific community, which is expected to encourage further exploration and conservation of the deep-sea environment.