UNAIR NEWS Students from the Biology Program at the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), 51动漫 (UNAIR), have once again achieved a notable accomplishment. The LumiKit team, made up of students from the 2022 and 2023 cohorts, won third place and the Best Presenter award at the Biolexion 2.0 Scientific Writing Competition held at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB).
The LumiKit team consists of Yusag Abdillah as team leader, along with Alifa Jeanny Camila, Ainun Azka Rohmatillah, and Venesa Filda Agnesia as members. For the team, this cross-cohort collaboration was a new experience and became a key factor in developing a strong and competitive research project.
淲e wanted to propose a molecular biology-based solution that could support marine conservation efforts. LumiKit is designed to provide an early signal when seawater begins to show signs of pollution, Abdillah said.
LumiKit innovation
During the competition, the team presented an innovative project titled 淟umiKit: A Quorum Sensing-Based Molecular Biosensor of Vibrio fischeri as an Early Detection System for Nickel Pollution in Marine Conservation Areas. The innovation modifies Vibrio fischeri in silico using a CRISPR-Cas9 approach, enabling the bacteria檚 bioluminescence to dim when exposed to nickel contamination.
Abdillah and the team designed the technology as an early warning system for marine ecosystems, particularly in regions such as Sulawesi and Maluku affected by nickel mining activities. 淲e aimed to create a solution that is not only innovative but also relevant to environmental challenges currently faced in Indonesia. LumiKit is expected to help detect nickel pollution more quickly in marine conservation areas, Rohmatillah said.
The team acknowledged that the research process involved several challenges, especially limited references and the complexity of CRISPR methods, which they had not previously applied directly. 淢any of the technical concepts were new to us. We had to learn from the beginning by studying international journals and holding intensive discussions to ensure our molecular design was well developed, she added.
Team effort leads to victory
The journey to the competition became an unforgettable experience for the Lumilit team. During their trip to Bandung, the members continued preparing intensively. Rohmatillah and Agnesia focused on refining the presentation, while Abdillah and Camila revisited the theoretical framework and molecular design of the project.
淲e even practiced in the dining car late at night so the environment would be quieter. Every member stayed committed and made time for the team despite their busy schedules, Agnesia said. She was also one of the presenters who received the Best Presenter award at Biolexion 2.0 2026.
The team檚 achievement was also supported by guidance from Almando Geraldi SSi PhD, who mentored them in understanding the concept of Synthetic Biology (SynBio). Securing third place demonstrates how teamwork, clear task division, and strong commitment can lead to outstanding results. 淲e learned that competitions are not only about winning but also about the process, accepting feedback, and building connections with participants from other universities, Agnesia concluded.
Author: Dheva Yudistira Maulana
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
