The achievement of publishing in a prestigious international journal is the culmination of years of research, cross-generational student collaboration, and academic networks that have been nurtured over a long period of time.

Building a Long-Standing Collaboration Through Generations of Research

Dr. Robby Roswanda, a lecturer in the Organic Chemistry Research Group at FMIPA ITB, explained that the foundation of this collaboration had been established many years earlier. Prof. Ben L. Feringa served as Dr. Robby’s doctoral supervisor at the University of Groningen between 2008 and 2012. Their academic relationship grew even stronger after Prof. Feringa was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016.

In 2020, ITB entrusted Dr. Robby with inviting his former mentor to deliver a Nobel Lecture at Sasana Budaya Ganesa (Sabuga).

That scientific visit became an important turning point. Subsequent discussions on initiating a joint research project were led by the late Prof. Yana Maolana Syah, then Head of the Organic Chemistry Research Group. The collaboration brought together two complementary areas of expertise: ITB’s strength in natural product chemistry and Prof. Feringa’s world-renowned expertise in molecular motors.

In practice, the research project progressed through a relay-like succession of Chemistry students at ITB. The work began in ITB laboratories with Anthony Bongso (Chemistry 2018), who isolated promising natural compounds to be used as building blocks for simple molecular switches and motors. The project was continued by Bayu Dwiputra (Chemistry 2019) and later refined by Deryl Hendson Limawan (Chemistry 2020).

To carry out advanced molecular modifications, the master’s students were sent directly to Prof. Feringa’s laboratory in Groningen. Anthony conducted research there from January to March 2023, followed by Deryl from January to March 2025.

“The published paper is largely the result of their work,” said Dr. Robby.

Unlocking the Potential of Indonesia’s Natural Resources

The key innovation behind this cross-continental research originated from the late Prof. Yana Maolana Syah’s vision of utilizing the chiral centers found in Indonesia’s native natural compounds. This idea was realized through the isolation of pure derivative compounds extracted from the pod husks of Tephrosia vogelii.

According to Deryl, the study demonstrates that Indonesia’s biodiversity holds far greater potential than its conventional applications in traditional medicine or anticancer research.

“The unique structural frameworks of natural compounds can serve as building blocks for synthesizing more complex molecules. This opens new opportunities for the development of functional materials in the future,” he explained.

Dr. Robby Roswanda emphasized that the achievement carries an important scientific message for Indonesia’s research community.

“One significant implication of this achievement is that we have demonstrated that compounds derived from Indonesian natural products can indeed be utilized as building blocks for photoresponsive materials, with all their advantages and challenges,” he said.

Using this approach, the team successfully synthesized photoactive molecular derivatives. These molecules can undergo structural changes when exposed to light and maintain specific geometric configurations after the transformation. Although the current molecules are only capable of a single switching event and do not yet function reversibly like fully developed molecular switches, the findings provide a crucial foundation for future development.

In the long term, this synthetic approach has strong potential to support the development of smart materials for advanced technological applications, including optoelectronic components such as electronic displays and medical sensors.

Embracing a World-Class Research Culture

The opportunity to conduct research at the University of Groningen also provided valuable insights into Europe’s research ecosystem. Deryl observed that a strong research environment is built upon a sustainable cycle of robust funding, high-quality research, and impactful scientific publications.

“High-quality research leads to impactful publications, and impactful publications create greater opportunities for funding. That is why data curation and manuscript preparation are carried out with exceptional rigor,” Deryl said.

The rigor of the process was reflected in a manuscript revision phase that lasted more than six months, involving additional experiments, in-depth analyses, and repeated computational calculations to ensure the highest level of accuracy and reliability.

Dr. Robby added that the long-term impact of this international collaboration extends far beyond a publication record. The partnership has significantly enhanced ITB’s internal capabilities in advanced organic synthesis and complex molecular computational methodologies.

These elevated competency standards will serve as a strong foundation for advancing Indonesia’s research laboratories to a level comparable with leading institutions worldwide.

Indonesia’s research culture, Deryl believes, can continue to grow if academic priorities shift from publication quantity toward research quality and real-world impact.

“Combining research outcomes from several students into a well-curated publication can generate stronger scientific contributions and broader impact,” he said.

Competing on the Global Stage
Working within a world-class research environment naturally presents challenges, including differences in academic backgrounds and technical expertise. However, Deryl emphasized that such limitations can be overcome through a strong commitment to continuous learning beyond the formal curriculum.

“The key is to keep reading scientific literature, actively engage in discussions, and never hesitate to ask questions. With a strong learning spirit, Indonesian students are fully capable of competing and contributing to world-class research,” he concluded.

This collaborative international publication stands as clear evidence that ITB researchers and students possess the capacity, competitiveness, and scientific excellence recognized within the global scientific community. Through perseverance, effective mentorship, and a strong academic culture, Indonesia’s young generation continues to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of science on the international stage.