JAKARTA A professor at Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ), Prof. Dr Dalia Sukmawati, has partnered with Nutrilab to hold a DNA extraction training session on Friday, 20 August 2026. The activity featured Rafika of PT. Nutrilab Pratama as the resource person and served as preparation for an upcoming metagenome workshop focused on soil samples.
The training centred on mastering DNA extraction techniques using the Vaname Kit with the Invitrogen™ DynaMag™-2 Magnet magnetic rack, an extraction kit known for efficiently recovering genetic material from samples with complex matrices. Throughout the session, participants not only listened to the presentation but also carried out each stage hands-on at the workbench. The process began with cell lysis to break down the cell wall and membrane, releasing DNA from other cellular components. Rafika then guided participants through the magnetic-bead extraction workflow. This method uses a three-step protocol: bind, wash, and release. Magnetic beads bind specifically to DNA in the sample. Then a magnetic field is applied using a magnetic rack (DynaMag-2). The beads with the bound target move to the side of the tube, allowing aspiration to remove unbound material. This step efficiently separates the target from the rest of the sample without centrifugation or columns. The DNA target can then be released from the beads using the elution buffer in the Vaname Kit. Precision at every pipetting step was repeatedly emphasised, as extract quality largely determines the success of the subsequent analysis. Once the DNA had been successfully extracted, participants moved on to purity testing and quantification using Qubit 4 with Qubit™ 1X dsDNA High Sensitivity (HS). Unlike spectrophotometric measurements, Qubit relies on a fluorescent dye that binds specifically to double-stranded DNA, so the concentration reading is more accurate and is not disturbed by contaminants such as RNA or protein. These readings become the benchmark for whether a sample is fit to advance to library preparation for metagenome sequencing.
“DNA quality is the foundation of all metagenome work. If the extraction stage alone is not clean, the sequencing results cannot be trusted,” said Prof. Dr Dalia Sukmawati on the sidelines of the event. She added that this kind of training is important so the team is fully prepared before entering a metagenome workshop, which demands high-quality standards.
The collaboration with Nutrilab is expected to strengthen laboratory capacity while supporting the development of the Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) Culture Collection. This series of training sessions serves as a foundation for the students in the mycoteam group, preparing them to conduct research activities, particularly in the molecular field, with a focus on analysing soil samples that will drive their future research.