TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia Institute of Science (LIPI) has officially established a new lab and office in the Center for Oceanography Research, Ancol. The facility is for oceanography and marine genetics research, a part of LIPI's plan to develop regional research and competition.

Head of LIPI Lukman Hakim said that the facility can help boost scientists to develop oceanography research. Lukman added that such research in Indonesia is still behind, compared to other nations, due to facility and HR issues. "This is a big investment for Indonesian," said Lukman.

"Indonesian research is left behind. There is nearly no investment made since 1982, amid the fact that research requires proper equipment," he said. "Indonesia often gets research offer from other countries. Now we have the facility."

Irma Shita Arlyza, marine genetics researcher, added that the facility still requires some advanced equipment, one of which is digital micro pipette. "We have only eight units in one channel. Ideally, one researcher is equipped with 10 units of multichannel, therefore it is easier to analyze genetic sample," she said.

GABRIEL WAHYU TITIYOGA