The SATRIA Team is led by Faris Muda Budiman (Microbiology 2024), with members Muhammad Wishaf Wirazaqi (Microbiology 2024), Miftahur Rizki (Microbiology 2024), Azzira Umaina (Biology 2024), and Abil Muhara (Biology 2025). The team is supervised by SITH ITB lecturer Karlia Meitha, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D.

Their research is titled “Isolation and Characterization of Nanovesicles Derived from Permata Tomato Variety for the Encapsulation of Andrographolide from Sambiloto for Breast Cancer Applications.”

Cancer Treatment Innovation from Indonesia’s Natural Resources
The research was inspired by the potential of andrographolide, a compound found in sambiloto, as an anticancer agent. However, its highly hydrophobic nature and low bioavailability remain major challenges for its application.

“This led us to the idea of utilizing natural nanovesicles from the Permata tomato variety as a more biocompatible delivery system,” Wishaf said.

The study combines approaches in microbiology, biotechnology, and plant-derived nanovesicle technology. The formulation developed by the team was subsequently tested in vitro using MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

According to Wishaf, PKM funding has provided the team with an opportunity to validate their idea through laboratory testing. The research was designed by combining novelty, the utilization of local biodiversity, and a measurable experimental framework.

The team is currently focusing on collecting and refining data on andrographolide encapsulation efficiency and the stability of tomato nanovesicle particles.

Research Stages and Cross-Institutional Collaboration
PKM-RE is a national program that provides students with opportunities to conduct scientific research in science and technology. In carrying out the project, the SATRIA Team has gone through several stages, including nanovesicle isolation, particle characterization, and andrographolide encapsulation.

^{Image: Methodology consultation with Prof. dr. Pratiwi Pudjilestari Sudarmono, Sp.M.K., Ph.D. at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (SATRIA Team Documentation)}

To support testing that requires specialized facilities, the SATRIA Team established a technical collaboration with the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory and DDRC IMERI at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (FKUI). The team received input from Prof. dr. Pratiwi Pudjilestari Sudarmono, Sp.M.K., Ph.D. and Dr. Ibnu Agus Ariyanto, as well as support in optimizing cell cultures and accessing a Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) at FKUI’s Salemba facility.

“The collaboration between SITH ITB and FKUI demonstrates that limited facilities do not necessarily mean research has to stop. What is needed is communication and networking,” Wishaf said.

He explained that nanomedicine research requires interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration because the necessary expertise and facilities are not always available within a single laboratory.

Laboratory Challenges and Methodological Adaptation

^{Image: Testing at the BSC facility at FKUI Salemba as part of the research collaboration (left); microscopic observation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells at 90% confluence (right) (SATRIA Team Documentation)}

Conducting the research within approximately four months and with limited resources presented another challenge for the SATRIA Team. Several stages required relatively costly facilities and materials, including cell lines, culture media, ultracentrifugation, and nanoparticle characterization.

“Some components require significant funding and specialized facilities, so we had to make several adjustments to our protocols after receiving input from experts,” Wishaf said.

One of the adjustments was the use of purified andrographolide so that the cytotoxicity test results, particularly the IC50 value on MCF-7 cells, could be interpreted more accurately.

The experience also taught the team the importance of adaptability throughout the research process.

“The biggest lesson is that research does not always proceed exactly as written in the proposal, so we have to be willing to troubleshoot and seek expert advice,” he said.

Initial Proof of Concept and the Path toward PIMNAS 2026
The SATRIA Team’s research is currently still at the initial in vitro proof-of-concept stage. Therefore, the findings cannot yet be directly applied as a therapy for patients. Further development will require selectivity testing, in vivo studies, and additional research stages before the formulation can move toward potential clinical application.

The SATRIA Team is one of nine ITB teams that received PKM funding in 2026 and is among 1,121 teams funded nationwide. In mid-September 2026, the team completed the PKM Progress Assessment (PKP2).

The team is now focusing on completing its scientific outputs and final research report while awaiting the announcement of finalists for the 39th National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS) in October 2026.

Wishaf hopes that the SATRIA Team’s experience will encourage other students to start research projects based on questions and problems that genuinely spark their curiosity.

“Start with a problem that truly makes you curious, and remain open to feedback throughout the experimental process, because in the end, the quality of the data matters far more than simply having a good proposal,” he said.