The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Al-Azhar (UNIZAR), once again delivered an intellectual breakthrough through the grand event GEMA MEDIKA 2025, officially opened on Thursday (July 31, 2025) at the Ahmad Firdaus Sukmono Theater Hall. Carrying the theme “Future Healthcare Transformation: Integration of Bioinformatics and Clinical Research Technology,” the event became a convergence point between technological advancement and the increasingly dynamic medical field.
The keynote session was graced by bioinformatics expert Prof. Agustina Tri Endharti, S.Si., Ph.D. from Universitas Brawijaya, who captivated the audience with her presentation on the revolutionary role of bioinformatics in modern medical diagnostics. “Bioinformatics is not merely a supporting tool, but the very heart of future precision diagnostics,” Prof. Agustina asserted before hundreds of UNIZAR medical students and academics.
In her lecture, Prof. Agustina emphasized that traditional approaches to diagnosing diseases—previously based solely on symptoms and laboratory cultures—are no longer sufficient. Today, omics-based approaches such as genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics offer high precision by mapping genetic mutations, RNA expression, and specific protein biomarkers. “With this technology, we can detect diseases even before symptoms appear. This is particularly relevant for illnesses such as cancer and metabolic disorders,” she explained.
Prof. Agustina also elaborated on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have become powerful tools in analyzing massive biological datasets. Models such as Random Forest, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Graph Machine Learning have been proven capable of predicting chemotherapy responses, mapping metabolic pathways, and even recommending personalized therapies. One highlighted study demonstrated how AI algorithms successfully developed a predictive model for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in children under five, a breakthrough that opens new horizons in the early prevention of infectious diseases.
She stressed that the integration of these technologies will shorten diagnostic processes from weeks to just a few hours. Another key advantage of bioinformatics, she added, is its ability to analyze thousands of genes or samples simultaneously, tailoring diagnoses to each individual’s genetic profile. “We can no longer rely on one-size-fits-all solutions. The era of personalized medicine has already begun,” she concluded.
In a separate address, the Dean of UNIZAR’s Faculty of Medicine stated that GEMA MEDIKA 2025 is not only a learning platform but also a reflection of the faculty’s commitment to embracing a research- and technology-driven transformation of the medical field. With its successful opening, GEMA MEDIKA 2025 marks a significant milestone for medical students and healthcare professionals in West Nusa Tenggara to continuously enhance their capacity and prepare for the challenges of modern medicine.
(Asmadi/PR)
Translated from UNIZAR NEWS, Mataram, published on July 31, 2025