This achievement marks a proud milestone for ITB, as PINTAR Diagnostics was the only ITB team to advance to PIMNAS this year and successfully secure the highest national distinction. The accomplishment highlights the competitiveness of ITB students’ research, particularly in advancing biomolecular technologies to address public health challenges.

The PINTAR Diagnostics Team consists of Maria Audrey (Biology), Muhammad Firdaus (Microbiology), Taliasari Aulia Fathia (Biology), I Dewa Ayu Andina A. (Microbiology), and Malika Fatima Lawe (Microbiology). The team was supervised by Karlia Meitha, Ph.D., and Ernawati A. G. Rahman, Ph.D. During PIMNAS 2025, the team was also accompanied by Dr. Andira Rahmawati, Student Affairs Lecturer of the Biology Study Program at SITH ITB.

CRISPR-Based Diagnostic Innovation for Hepatitis B Detection Challenges
The research project is entitled “Production of Biotinylated Target Amplicons and Characterization of CRISPR-Cas9–sgRNA Complexes for the Development of a Lateral Flow Assay Diagnostic for Hepatitis B Virus.” This innovation introduces a new approach to Hepatitis B detection by directly identifying viral DNA, rather than relying on antibody-based detection.

This approach is considered more adaptive to the high genetic mutation rate of the Hepatitis B virus, which often leads to the failure of conventional antibody-based rapid tests. By utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 technology, the developed diagnostic system offers greater precision and flexibility.

The research represents the continuation of the team’s long journey since receiving funding through the Student Creativity Program–Exact Sciences Research (PKM-RE) 2025, organized by Belmawa Dikti.

The Journey to PIMNAS 2025
The PIMNAS agenda began with the team’s arrival in Makassar on November 23, 2025, followed by technical meetings and scientific poster installation. The opening ceremony took place on November 24, 2025, featuring a parade of contingents from participating universities. On the same day, the jury conducted passive poster evaluations.

Scientific presentations were held on November 25–26, 2025. In the PKM–Exact Sciences Research (PKM-RE) category, more than one hundred teams from various universities were divided into five classes, each consisting of approximately twenty teams. Presentations were conducted simultaneously according to the assigned fields and classes.

^{The PINTAR Diagnostics Team became the final team to present their research in the Exact Sciences Research category at PIMNAS.}
PINTAR Diagnostics performed as the last presenting group on the second day. Taliasari Aulia Fathia explained that while the situation posed its own challenge, it ultimately became an opportunity to deliver their best performance. The team was able to clearly present all materials, and the question-and-answer session proceeded smoothly. “The jury’s evaluation reflected positive assessments of our presentation structure, scientific argumentation, and the relevance of the research innovation,” she stated.

Preparation Strategy and Process Dynamics
The PIMNAS evaluation format was considered more comprehensive than previous stages, particularly in terms of scientific depth, originality, and the ability to defend arguments. To meet these standards, the team prepared presentation materials that integrated theoretical foundations, public health urgency, the latest developments in biomolecular technology, and potential clinical implementation.

Intensive presentation and Q&A simulations were conducted, including interdisciplinary simulations involving lecturers and students from different scientific backgrounds. Meanwhile, the team also faced technical challenges during the experimental process, with several wet lab stages requiring repetition to achieve stable results.

Maria Audrey explained that each experimental failure became an important learning experience, particularly in strengthening skills related to troubleshooting, data management, and scientific decision-making. The team also maintained a balance between academic responsibilities, research activities, and personal life through disciplined time management and effective internal communication.

SITH Research Ecosystem as a Key Strength
Audrey emphasized that the research ecosystem at SITH ITB played a significant role in the team’s success. “The tradition of scientific presentations, open discussions, and guidance from supervisors with diverse academic backgrounds enriched our research perspectives and enhanced our readiness for evaluation,” she said.

She added that the PKM selection process at ITB is highly competitive, requiring proposals to demonstrate strong arguments and clear research novelty. Support from supervising lecturers helped the team confidently develop ambitious research ideas despite initial limitations.

One of the supervisors, Dr. Karlia Meitha, stated that PIMNAS serves as an important platform not only as a competition arena but also as a space for knowledge sharing, network expansion, and the generation of innovative ideas among young scholars.

“My fellow supervisors and I are extremely proud of our students’ success in winning the gold medal through their CRISPR-Cas9–based rapid Hepatitis B test innovation. This experience is invaluable and underscores the importance of encouraging students to boldly explore new ideas and apply cutting-edge technologies to address health challenges in Indonesia,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Andira Rahmawati, Student Affairs Lecturer of the Biology Study Program at SITH ITB who accompanied the team during PIMNAS, expressed her appreciation for the achievement. According to her, this success is the result of hard work, consistency, and a strong learning spirit demonstrated by the students throughout the research and competition preparation process.

The Significance of the PIMNAS Victory

For all team members, winning at PIMNAS 2025 represents recognition of the long journey they have undertaken and proof that a collaborative work culture supported by a strong academic ecosystem can produce nationally competitive, innovative research.

“We hope this research can contribute to faster, more accurate, and more affordable disease detection for the broader community,” Audrey stated.

The Gold Medal achievement at PIMNAS 2025 earned by the PINTAR Diagnostics Team stands as a source of pride for ITB, particularly SITH, and demonstrates students’ ability to produce impactful biomolecular research for the advancement of health technology in Indonesia. This accomplishment further reinforces ITB’s commitment to supporting the acceleration of scientific innovation among young generations.