Tokyo, Japan — Dr. rer. nat. Anto Budiharjo, M.Biotech, a lecturer at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Diponegoro University (UNDIP), is currently conducting international research at the Department of Science and Engineering for Sustainable Innovation, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan. This research activity takes place from March to April 2025.
The research visit is part of an international collaborative research funding program under the International Collaborative Research Grant, jointly funded by Soka University, Japan, and Diponegoro University. This program was initiated through an official invitation from Prof. Norio Kurosawa, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Soka University, as a means of strengthening academic and research collaboration between the two institutions.
Dr. Anto Budiharjo (right) in his visit to Soka University, Japan
Dr. Anto Budiharjo’s research focuses on the project titled “Exploration of Enzymes of Extremophiles for Research and Industry Perspectives.” The primary objective of this research is to explore thermophilic microorganisms—organisms that thrive in high-temperature environments—that are capable of producing thermostable enzymes or thermozymes. These enzymes hold significant potential for industrial applications due to their resilience under extreme thermal conditions.
In addition to laboratory-based experiments, the research also includes fieldwork involving the sampling of thermophilic microorganisms from geothermal areas in the Hakone Mountains, located in the Yugawara Prefecture, Japan. This area was chosen for its status as an active geothermal site rich in unique extremophilic microbial resources.
Dr. Anto Budiharjo, who also serves as the Head of the Thermophilic Enzyme Research Collaboration Center (PKR) at UNDIP, expressed his hope that this collaboration will lead to the discovery of new strains of thermophilic microorganisms that can produce valuable thermozymes for various industries, including bioenergy, pharmaceuticals, and waste processing.
“We hope that this collaboration between UNDIP and Soka University will not only result in joint scientific publications but also bring real innovation in the form of new, industrially applicable enzymes,” said Dr. Anto.
This research serves as a concrete example of UNDIP’s internationalization efforts in advancing scientific knowledge and developing innovations with broad academic and industrial impacts.
