Prof. Anom Bowolaksono, Ph.D. was inaugurated as Professor in the Field of Integrative Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) University of Indonesia (UI). The inauguration procession led by the Chairperson of the UI Professors Council, Prof. Harkristuti Harkrisnowo, SH, MA, Ph.D was held on Wednesday (25/10), at the University of Indonesia Convention Hall, UI Campus, Depok. Prof. Anom was inaugurated as a professor after delivering a scientific oration entitled “Programming Death, Delaying Aging for Sustainability”.
In his speech, Prof. Anom stated that, as is the nature of life, cells have a limited lifespan. However, unlike most humans who desire longevity, cells have a mechanism for death when they reach a certain point that makes them no longer productive. This biological death mechanism is called programmed cell death (PCD), which allows cells to self-destruct. There are two main mechanisms of cell death currently known: unprogrammed (necrosis) and programmed (apoptosis). According to Prof. Anom, apoptosis is an essential mechanism that occurs at various stages of life. This event is involved in the individualization of fingers during embryo formation, plays a role in dorsal closure and rotation of the genital organs during morphogenesis, restores the uterine wall to its initial state after childbirth, and cleans up damaged and irreparable body cells. “Apoptosis is a conserved mechanism fundamental to the continuation of life. Dysregulation of apoptosis can lead to various problems, such as cancer and aging. By studying the fundamentals of programmed cell death, we can program cell death to address problems in human life, such as cancer and several other degenerative disorders,” said Prof. Anom.
Cancer, one of the leading causes of death worldwide, is caused by problems in the apoptosis signaling pathway. These problems include an imbalance of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic proteins, decreased caspase function, and impaired death receptor signaling, preventing cell death, which is necessary to maintain cell balance. As a result, cells continue to multiply, forming tumors. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of apoptosis can lead to new, more effective and specific cancer therapies. Besides cancer, apoptosis disorders also cause organ degeneration, one of the signs of which is aging. One effect of aging that impacts survival can be seen in female fertility. Research conducted by Prof. Anom shows that the reproductive system is the organ system with the fastest aging rate compared to other body systems. In the female reproductive system, the number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies in oocytes and female cumulus cells has been shown to decline with age. In fact, mtDNA plays a crucial role in oocyte maturation, successful fertilization, and post-implantation embryo development.
Furthermore, the absence of BAX, a proapoptotic factor, has been reported to support the survival of primordial follicles, thereby increasing ovarian survival and fertility. Therefore, in line with the current trend of delaying childbirth and marriage, understanding the role of apoptosis in the aging of the female reproductive system can lead to the development of methods to maintain fertility and maintain pregnancy. Before conducting studies on the mechanism of apoptosis, Prof. Anom has conducted many similar studies. Some of them are The origin and possible mechanism of embryonic cell-free DNA release in spent embryo culture media: a review (2023); The effect of follitropin alfa in controlled ovarian stimulation protocol for in vitro fertilization cycles (2023); and Cryoprotective effects of longan honey on preantral follicle integrity of rat ovary post vitrification (2023).
Prof. Anom Bowolaksono, Ph.D. graduated with a Bachelor of Biology degree from the University of Indonesia in 1997; completed a Master of Cell Biology Program at Okayama University, Japan in 2006; and obtained a Doctorate in Cell Biology from Okayama University, Japan in 2009. He served as Head Lecturer in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia in 2016, and is currently a lecturer in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia.
The inauguration procession of Prof. Anom was also attended by Professor of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University, Prof. Dr. Ir. Miftahudin, M.Si.; Professor of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Makassar State University, Prof. Oslan Jumadi, S.Si., M.Phil., Ph.D; Professor of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University of Papua, Prof. Dr. Ir. Andoyo Supriyantono, M.Sc; Professor of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology, Prof. Dr. Elfahmi, S.Si., M.Si.; Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB, Dr. Berry Juliandi; and WHO Consultant of the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Prof. Dr. M. Sudomo.
