In addition to the student research exhibition, the event featured a guest lecture by Arunya Rizki Widini, S.Si., M.Sc., Application Specialist at CV Dynata Image Creative. In her presentation, Arunya discussed the application of Oxford Nanopore technology as a cutting-edge approach in microbial genomics development.

The wide range of bioinformatics applications showcased highlighted the role of this technology in addressing real-world challenges in health and agriculture. One of the featured projects was a comparative study of the human skin microbiome in acne conditions. Using a metagenomic approach, students analyzed the dominance of Cutibacterium acnes and examined the impact of skincare products on the balance of the skin microbiome.

“Through data analysis from the NCBI database, we aim to understand how skincare products can shift inflammation-triggering microbiome profiles toward healthier skin conditions,” said Syifa, a student representative.

In the field of food security, another research group investigated the defense mechanisms of chili plants against infection by the pathogen Phytophthora capsici. By utilizing bioinformatics software such as RStudio, MetaboAnalyst, and PathVisio, the students identified specific metabolite profiles, including capsaicinoids and lactones, which play a role in the plant immune system.

“This research aims to identify genes encoding these defense-related metabolites, which could potentially be developed to produce plant varieties with improved disease resistance,” explained Yohanes, a member of the biology research team.

Through this exhibition, students demonstrated their ability to process large-scale secondary data using various specialized tools, such as Mothur and Ubuntu, and to present the results through accurate and informative data visualizations.

Despite the technical challenges encountered during data analysis, Bioinformatics Expo 2025 reaffirmed the strategic role of bioinformatics in translating complex biological questions into applicable technological solutions across health, agriculture, and other fields.