On November 18, 2023, Euglena Corporation marked its significant presence at the HYPER INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE in Indonesia 2023 (HIC IDN 2023 conference), a pivotal event for scientific dialogue and innovation. The conference, accessible via https://hiconf.lne.st/conference/hicidn2023/, served as a platform for Euglena Corporation to showcase its latest research and collaborative efforts in the realm of microalgae.

Euglena Corporation's Malaysian Team Research:
A highlight of the conference was the presentation by Euglena Corporation's Malaysian team. The team unveiled their groundbreaking research on the growth patterns of various microalgae under specific conditions. This comparative analysis opened new vistas in understanding the optimal environments for different algae species, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable algal cultivation methods.

Joint Research with Gadjah Mada University:
In an impressive collaboration, Euglena Corporation and Gadjah Mada University jointly presented their research findings on Euglena and Butterfly Pea. This partnership underscored the importance of cross-disciplinary and cross-border research in advancing our understanding of these vital organisms. The results presented not only highlighted the scientific prowess of the collaborators but also pointed towards potential applications in nutrition, medicine, and environmental sustainability.

Session3 Highlights:
During Session 3, Dr. Suzuki from Euglena Corporation captivated the audience with an opening talk about planetary health for the session. This session moderated by Enrico Gianino from Euglena Co., Ltd., centered on the SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) program. This Japanese government initiative fosters international joint research, particularly between Japan and developing countries, to address global challenges. The focus was on collaborative research between Euglena and local Indonesian researchers, offering insights and guidance for researchers seeking international collaboration and grant opportunities.

Panelists:

Dr. Keiichi Mochida

• Affiliation: Center for Sustainable Resource Science, RIKEN
• Expertise: Dr. Mochida is known for his innovative use of data science, parallel computing, genetics, genomics, and machine learning in large-scale biology. His work has been instrumental in identifying crucial genes for plant productivity across diverse plant genomes.
• Role in SATREPS: He leads a SATREPS project in Indonesia, focusing on microalgae-based decarbonization. This interdisciplinary research project combines information science, biotechnology, and process engineering to explore sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.

Dr. Nur Akmalia Hidayati

• Affiliation: National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of The Republic of Indonesia
• Background: Dr. Hidayati, a junior researcher at BRIN Indonesia, has previously worked on lipid metabolism in green microalgae.
• Interest: She is deeply interested in the potential of microalgae for food and energy security, particularly in Indonesia.
• Current Project: In the ongoing SATREPS project, Dr. Hidayati aims to develop value-added products using microalgae through an innovative approach called "Green fermentation."

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aziz

• Affiliation: Institute of Industrial Science, Department of Mechanical and Biofunctional Systems, University of Tokyo
• Academic Background: Prof. Aziz holds B. Eng., M. Eng., and D. Eng. degrees from Kyushu University, Japan, specializing in mechanical engineering.
• Research Areas: His expertise lies in advanced energy conversion systems, focusing on renewable energy utilization, smart grids, electric vehicles, battery technology, and hydrogen production and utilization.
• Accolades: Prof. Aziz has been recognized with several awards, including the Young Researcher Award from the Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress (2012), Outstanding Paper Award from the Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan (2013), Japan Institute of Energy Award for Encouragement (2016), and the Best Paper Award from the Japan Society of Energy and Resources (2018).

Discussion Overview:
The panelists delved into their respective areas of expertise, discussing the innovative applications of their research in Indonesia's context. They shared insights into the challenges and opportunities in implementing sustainable technologies and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in solving complex environmental issues. The session served as an inspiration for attendees, highlighting the potential impact of international collaborations in advancing scientific and technological frontiers.

Inspirational Closing Message:
The conference concluded with a powerful message from Hakim, encapsulating the spirit of scientific inquiry and the essence of life's unpredictability with the words, "Life is ONCE and UNPREDICTABLE." This message served as an encouragement to all researchers and participants, reminding them of the unique opportunity and responsibility they hold in shaping the future through scientific exploration and innovation.

Conclusion: Euglena Corporation's participation in HiCiDN 2023 exemplified its commitment to pioneering research in microalgae and its dedication to collaborative efforts for a sustainable future. The conference not only showcased the company's scientific achievements but also reinforced its role as a leader in algal research and innovation.