Recent Activities

New Research Project Explores Bioactive Sugar Baits for Culex quinquefasciatus Control

August 2026

The Medical Entomology Research Group, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia (FKUI), has initiated a new research project entitled “Comparative Evaluation of Bioactive Sugar Bait Formulations for Adult Culex quinquefasciatus Control: Toxicity, Feeding Behavior, Reproductive Effects, and CYP6M12 Gene Expression.” The study is led by Dr. Drs. Rizal Subahar, M.Biomed, with Dr. dr. Sri Wahdini, M. Biomed, Sp.Ak and Nurhadi Eko Firmansyah, S.Si, M.Si, PhD as research team members. The project investigates bioactive toxic sugar bait as an alternative approach for controlling adult Culex quinquefasciatus. Taking advantage of mosquitoes’ natural sugar-feeding behavior, the study will compare sugar bait formulations containing three synthetic pyrethroids, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin, with two plant-derived bioactive compounds, geraniol and thymol. Rather than assessing mortality alone, the study integrates four major outcomes: toxicity and mortality, sugar-feeding behavior, reproductive effects, and expression of the detoxification-related gene CYP6M12. This multidimensional approach is expected to provide a better understanding of both the effectiveness and possible biological mechanisms of different sugar bait formulations. The laboratory study is planned for 2026–2027, with activities ranging from mosquito colony preparation and formulation optimization to toxicity bioassays, reproductive assessment, molecular analysis using RT-qPCR, and preparation of scientific publications. Through this project, the Medical Entomology Research Group aims to contribute to the development of evidence-based and innovative vector-control strategies that may complement conventional insecticide-based approaches.

Congratulations to Dr. dr. Sri Wahdini, M.Biomed., Sp.Ak.

July 2026

The Medical Entomology Research Group congratulates Dr. dr. Sri Wahdini, M.Biomed., Sp.Ak., one of our research group members, on successfully earning her doctoral degree.

Her dissertation, entitled “Analisis Gen COX1 dalam Diagnosis Skabies dan Profil Mikrobioma Kulit di Area Lesi,” explores the role of the COX1 gene in scabies diagnosis and the skin microbiome profile in lesion areas.

The dissertation was supervised by Prof. dr. Saleha Sungkar, DAP&E, MS, Sp.ParK., a member of the Medical Entomology Research Group, who served as the doctoral promotor.

We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Sri Wahdini on this outstanding academic achievement and wish her continued success in her research and professional career.

New Textbook on Molecular Entomology for Biomedicine Is Now Released

April 2026

Entomologi Molekuler Untuk Biomedik, authored by Dr. Drs. Rizal Subahar, M.Biomed, is a comprehensive textbook developed in response to the rapid advancement of molecular biology and its growing contribution to biomedical sciences. The book highlights the increasingly important integration of molecular biology and entomology, particularly in understanding insects as disease vectors, molecular mechanisms of insecticide resistance, pathogen detection, and the development of molecular-based vector control strategies.

Presented in a systematic and accessible format, this book covers the historical foundations of entomology, molecular structures in insects, basic molecular laboratory techniques, vector species identification, pathogen detection, DNA barcoding, phylogenetic analysis, bioinformatics, molecular epidemiology, and emerging technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 and gene drive.

Supported by up-to-date scientific references, illustrations, tables, and relevant case studies from Southeast Asia and Indonesia, this book is designed for students, researchers, laboratory professionals, academics, and public health practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the role of insects in disease transmission and the application of molecular approaches in modern biomedicine.