Catatan Seorang Petualang

Mengajarkan Kebohongan

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:57:03 +0000

Sewaktu keluar dari antrean panjang di imigrasi, saya hanya berdoa semoga

hal serupa tidak pernah terjadi dengan turis asing yang masuk ke
Indonesia. Bukannya apa-apa, Anda bisa saja membeli tiket business
class atau first class yang harganya dua atau tiga kali lipat dari
harga tiket kelas ekonomi, tapi tak seorang pun bisa membeli waktu. Ia
menguap begitu saja di tangan petugas-petugas imigrasi yang bodoh,
lamban, tidak peduli, dan hanya fokus pada kertas-kertas di meja
mereka.

Petugas yang tidak peduli mengakibatkan antrean tidak beraturan,
menimbulkan ketidakadilan dari praktik-praktik kebohongan warga
negaranya sendiri. Saya tidak habis berpikir, bagaimana mungkin para
birokrat itu bekerja sangat serius untuk menyeleksi nama-nama yang
boleh masuk ke negaranya demi keamanan, tetapi membiarkan benihbenih
kecurangan tumbuh. Dan benih-benih kecurangan menimbulkan efek
berantai yang berbahaya bagi masa depan negeri itu sendiri.

Pemimpin Tak Peduli

“Kalau petugas yang memimpin sudah tak peduli, apa lagi yang
dipimpin?” Begitu pikir saya. Satu persatu orang menyerobot orang lain
yang sudah antre lebih dulu. Satu orang menyerobot dibiarkan, orang-
orang yang lain melakukan hal yang sama.Lama-lama orang-orang yang
menyerobot pun diserobot orang lainnya. Orang Yahudi,Arab, Palestina,
India,dan bangsa-bangsa setempat melakukan itu tanpa rasa bersalah.
Sedangkan kami hanya menjadi penonton yang belum mengerti apa yang
tengah terjadi. Anehnya, orang-orang yang menyerobot itu pun tidak
menerima saat gilirannya diserobot orang lain.

Sampai salah seorang yang berada di antrean berteriak keras agar
petugas menertibkan antrean. Ketika orang itu protes saya menyaksikan
satu persatu orang berbohong. Seorang bapak yang wajahnya tak
bersahabat berdebat dengan orang lain yang telah diserobotnya. Ia
menjelaskan mengapa ia harus memotong antrean. “Jam berapa pesawat
kalian?”tanyanya.Kalimat itu ia tujukan pada rombongan turis asal Hong
Kong yang sudah antre sejak pagi hari.

Sebetulnya jawaban itu tak begitu penting karena bapak itu dengan
cepat dapat memberikan jawaban bahwa jadwal terbangnya sudah sangat
mendesak. Saat ia menjawab, anak-anaknya memberi dukungan
serupa.Tetapi, begitu tiba di tujuan, saya melihat mereka terlihat
tengah bersantai menikmati kopi di sebuah kedai sambil tertawa-tawa.
Seorang ibu yang lain berada di belakang saya bersama dua anak
gadisnya yang cantik-cantik.

Perlahan- lahan mereka bergerak ke samping dan tiba-tiba sudah berada
di depan kami. Anak saya sedikit protes, tetapi saya menahannya agar
tidak terjadi keributan.Tetapi, keributan tak dapat dihindari saat
mereka terus maju ke depan menyerobot seorang turis asal Jepang yang
ada di depan kami. Ia tidak bisa menerimanya.Tetapi,ibu itu memberi
alasan bahwa dia adalah warga negara yang berhak berada di barisan
paling depan. Di antrean yang tak beraturan dengan petugas yang tak
peduli, setiap orang membuat aturan sendiri-sendiri dengan alasan yang
dapat dibuat seketika.

Seorang ibu lain yang baru datang langsung menerobos ke antrean paling
depan dan mengatakan, ia punya bayi yang sudah lebih dulu berada di
depan. Orang yang diserobotnya tidak terima dan membalas, “Maam, saya
juga punya masalah yang sama. Ayah saya sudah tua dan dia sedang
menunggu saya di ruang depan.” Mereka semua berbohong hanya demi lebih
cepat beberapa menit saja dari yang lain di depan anakanaknya.

Anak-anak itu belajar dari orang tuanya dan ikut berbohong untuk
mendukung argumentasi orang tua mereka. Ibu-ibu yang mengaku anaknya
sudah menunggu atau yang mengaku bapaknya sudah menunggu lebih dahulu
ternyata melenggang pergi menembus perbatasan tanpa membawa orangorang
yang mereka cintai. Mereka semua berbohong. Di Tanah Air kita
sendiri,orangorang yang menyerobot antrean sudah mulai menjadi
pemandangan yang biasa.

Semua itu terjadi karena tidak ada sistem yang mengaturnya, sementara
petugas yang menjaga tidak mempunyai kepedulian. Kepedulian adalah
wujud dari kepemimpinan seseorang dan kepemimpinan merupakan unsur
pembentuk kebiasaan dan budaya. Kita juga semakin sering melihat orang
berbohong di bawah sumpah. Di pengadilan terdakwa dan pengacara sama-
sama berbohong, saksi berbohong,jaksa dan hakim juga berbohong.

Artis-artis terkenal berbohong ketika skandal menimpa mereka.Pengusaha
dan petugas pajak yang korup berbohong kepada publik.Pejabat-pejabat
publik dengan mudah menghindari tanggung jawab dan memberikan alasan
yang sama sekali tak masuk akal. Politisi setiap hari berbohong.Mereka
semua dengan enteng mengatakan,”Sudah terlalu banyak kebohongan di
sini.”

Keluarga Ikut Berbohong

Tak dapat di sangkal,Indonesia adalah bangsa yang dibentuk dari
untaian keluarga-keluarga besar. Seperti suku-suku bangsa di Timur
Tengah yang saya kunjungi di akhir tahun lalu, Indonesia berbeda
dengan bangsa-bangsa di Barat yang nilai-nilai keluarganya telah
memudar. Seperti kata penerima hadiah Nobel Ekonomi, Garry Becker,
“Keluarga-keluarga berevolusi mengikuti kemajuan ekonomi.”

Bila di Asia keluarga besar masih mendominasi, di Eropa dan di Amerika
(bahkan juga di kotakota besar Asia seperti Shanghai dan Tokyo) telah
berubah menjadi keluarga nuklir dengan sedikit anak atau single parent
family (keluarga yang bercerai). Dalam single parentatau nuclear
family societyikatan keluarga menjadi sangat renggang dan tidak begitu
penting dalam membentuk watak dan karakter masyarakat.

Sebaliknya di Indonesia, sumber pembentukan watak masyarakat justru
ada di dalam keluarga.Maka bagi para pemimpin Asia,keluarga adalah
sasaran pembangunan yang sangat penting.Anda mungkin pernah mendengar
mantan PM Lee Kuan Yew menentang jaminan sosial bagi orang tua di
Singapura bukan karena negerinya tidak mampu,melainkan demi menjaga
hubungan keluarga.

Bagi Lee, orang tua harus menjadi tanggung jawab bagi anak-anaknya.
Ada tugas besar para pemimpin negeri ini untuk membawa Indonesia
menjadi bangsa tepercaya dan dapat saling mempercayai.Kepercayaan
adalah bonding bagi setiap society. Ia juga menjadi sumber penegakan
hukum dan pembangunan ekonomi. Tanpa kepercayaan,tak ada keadilan dan
tidak ada investasi baru.Kita harus mulai mengubah keterlibatan
keluarga dalam membela anggotaanggotanya dalam kasus-kasus kriminal,
korupsi, atau pelanggaran hukum lainnya.

Adalah keluarga yang telah ikut membawa Gayus Tambunan keluar dari
tahanannya dengan berbohong kepada berbagai petugas (keamanan,
airlines,hotel,dan sebagainya). Adalah keluarga yang telah menyimpan
uang hasil korupsi penjahat lainnya. Adalah keluarga yang telah
membuat sejumlah tahanan bebas menikmati kegiatankegiatan keluarga
saat yang bersangkutan tengah menjalankan hukumannya. Kaya atau
berjabatan tinggi jelas merupakan kebanggaan setiap anggota keluarga
besar.

Tetapi, keluarga besar juga harus menahan diri dan mengingatkan mereka
untuk memikul tanggung jawab. Tanpa nilai-nilai itu,keluargakeluarga
besar Indonesia hanya akan mewariskan kesulitan bagi anak-anaknya.
Seperti yang saya lihat di Timur Tengah, tradisi berbohong telah
menimbulkan kehidupan yang tidak damai.Anda, saya, dan keluarga-
keluarga kita adalah pembentuk masa depan bangsa ini.(*)

RHENALD KASALI
Ketua Program MM UI

Sumber tulisan: http://www.seputar-indonesia.com/edisicetak/content/view/374087/

PhD Position in Molecular Botany

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:14:17 +0000

We offer a PhD position that is financed by the DFG (TV-L/2) for 3 years the Institute of General Botany. The focus of this project is on the further functional analyses of a temporal regulated protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and its role in the circadian system of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Protein disulfide isomerases are known to play important roles in the folding of nascent proteins and in the formation of disulfide bonds. With a combination of heparin affinity chromatography, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we identified a PDI that is specifically enriched by heparin in samples taken during subjective night. It may play a role in circadian redox signaling pathways and/or act in folding other proteins in a circadian gated way.

In detail, studies on the following aims are planned:
(a) Identification of interaction partners during day and night
(b) Further characterization of redox targets and/or interaction partners of the PDI
(c) Influence of posttranslational modifications on complex formation of the PDI (e. g. phosphorylation)
(d) Functional analyses of the PDI and its interaction partners in the circadian system by RNAi
(e) Determination of oxidative refolding and chaperone activity of the PDI
(f) Studies to determine the localization of the PDI and its interaction partners
Such an approach will address novel aspects of the regulatory mechanism of posttranslational control via protein-protein interaction and redox signaling in the circadian clock of C. reinhardtii.

For more information please visit the publication list of our institute (http://www.uni-jena.de/Publikationen-page-5826.html).
The project will require molecular biology techniques like cloning, transformation, overexpression of proteins and RNAi. Also protein purification and characterization methods like Western analysis, co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometric analysis will be applied. The applicant should have experiences in at least some of these methods, but this is not a prerequisite. A solid knowledge of English is required.

Please send your application (preferably as pdf-file) to the address stated below (Keyword: PhD position PDI2; job advertisement no. 03/2011) till 06. February 2011. An application letter , curriculum vitae and letter of reference should be included. For further information feel free to contact me using the email adress stated below.

Dr. Volker Wagner
AG Prof. Dr. M. Mittag
Am Planetarium 1
07743 Jena
Tel.: 03641/949215 or 949227
Email: volker.wagner@uni-jena.de

Scholarship at Medical University Graz

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:12:08 +0000

Medical University Graz (Doctoral School “Translational Molecular and Cellular Bioscience”; (http://www.medunigraz.at/16101) offers two positions each for the duration of three years to perform a doctoral thesis an the molecular and cellular (patho)physiology of G-protein activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel subunits in breast cancer cells (payment according to FWF (http://www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/personalkostensaetze.html)).
While one PhD student (PhD#1) will mainly work on tasks 1+4 with electrophysiological techniques (Patch Clamp) and fluorescence microscopy, PhD#2 will work on tasks 2+3 with focus on biochemical and cell biology methods (see project description below).

Interested applicants holding a MSc, MD or equivalent degree are invited to submit their application containing a clear description of actual apprenticeship, research interests and motivation, together with the names of 2 referees to ao. Prof. Dr. W. Schreibmayer (Molecular Physiology Group, Institute of Biophysics, MUG; W.Schreibmayer@gmx.at) no later than February 15th, 2011. Specify PhD#1 or PhD#2.
G-Protein activated K+ channels (GIRKs) represent classical G-protein effectors mediating the regulation of excitability via hormones and neurotransmitters in electrically excitable tissue. Recent findings suggest that GIRKs are present in cancer cells contributing significantly to the malignancy of breast tumours. Despite of overwhelming evidence for their occurrence and a clear correlation with disease progression, insight into possible pathophysiological mechanisms, how GIRK proteins may promote cancer development does, at present, not exist. This proposal aims to test the crucial hypotheses that GIRKs promote cancer progression, either as the canonical and well known G-protein effectors, as G-protein independent K+ channels or via hitherto unidentified functions that are not related to K+ permeation at all. Experiments will be performed on non-tumourigenic, basal B-type, and malign, luminal type, tumour cells with different invasive potential.

The following specific goal!
s will be pursued:
1.: Identification of GIRK related K+ channels by electrophysiological characterizationof K+ channels (i) in benign and malign breast cancer cells, (ii) in cell lines overexpressing GIRK variants and isoforms and (iii) in cell lines where GIRK genes have been specifically silenced via siRNA.
2.: Characterization of GIRK variant/isoform protein and mRNA in breast cancer cells. Analysis of the effect of environmental factors that are relevant for tumour progression (mechanical stress; hypoxia) on expression levels.
3.: Analysis of simple vital cell functions that are important for tumorigenesis, such as proliferation, cell-adhesion and migration. The eventual role(s) of GIRKs variants/isoforms will be assessed by via specific overexpression/silencing.
4.: Characterization of the subcellular distribution of GIRK variants/isoforms in MCF10A and MCF7 cells under environmental factors, protein phosphorylation state and upon presence of signalling molecules in order to elucidate a possible role of GIRK trafficking in cancerogenesis.

Von:

wolfgang schreibmayer
W.Schreibmayer@gmx.at
Institute for Biophysics / Medical University Graz
Graz / Austria

Scholarship in Cancer genetic and Technology Development

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:08:08 +0000

The Deep Sequencing Group at the Biotechnology Center of the TU
Dresden searches a highly motivated

PhD candidate

with interest in cancer genetics and technology development. The EU
funded project is focussing on the development of methods for the
transcriptome analysis of few down to single cells using next
generation sequencing technology.
Research work will involve the development of preparative techniques
to isolate and amplify minute amounts of RNA coming from tumor tissue.
For analysis the classical molecular biology methods and next gen
sequencing will be used. The project also comprises the analysis of
next gen data using open source bioinformatics tools. Therefore
experience in molecular biology and bioinformatics is an advantage.

The project is being carried out in close collaboration with the
Charité Clinics Berlin and with in the EU wide consortium of academic
and industrial institutions. We are looking for a motivated Ph.D.
applicant who is curious and open for new challenges.

If you are interested, please send your applications containing your
curriculum vitae, University certificates and a cover letter
summarizing relevant work experience and motivation to
andreas.dahl@biotec.tu-dresden.de.
(For information please phone +49 351 463 40 318)

Plant System Biology Scholarship

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:03:07 +0000

The Department of Plant Systems Biology at the Technische Universität
München (TUM) invites applications by highly motivated candidates for a
PhD position (TV-L E13/2) in plant cell biology/biochemistry.
Topic: Role of deubiquitination in plant vacuole formation.

We are looking for a highly motivated and hard working candidate with
outstanding research potential. A good understanding in molecular
biology is essential. Our group is interested in the regulation of cellular
events by ubiquitination with a special focus of deubiquitinating
enzymes in the model plant Arabidopsis.

We now want to study the
molecular mechanisms by which deubiquitination is contributing to
vacuole formation. Our research involves biochemical, molecular and
cell biological methods.

The candidate should hold a diploma or masters degree in biology or
biochemistry and have experience in molecular biology/biochemistry.
The position is available from February 2011. Our working languages
are English and German.

Our department at the Technische Universität München is located on the
Weihenstephan-campus and provides state-of-the-art facilities for
research in biochemistry, proteomics and microscopy.
Please send your application in English or German (cover letter describing
your research interests, CV, transcripts and contacts of two references)
to:

Erika Isono, Ph.D. (erika.isono@wzw.tum.de),
Department of Plant Systems Biology,
TUM, Emil-Ramann-Str.4, Freising.
Web: http://www.wzw.tum.de/sysbiol/

Plant Biochemistry Scholarship

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:00:39 +0000

The Department of Molecular Signal Processing at the Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) invites applications by highly motivated candidates of any nationality to fill the positions

Post-doctoral Scientist
Ph.D. Student
The Leibniz Association, an umbrella organization of 87 institutions, has recently funded the establishment of an interdisciplinary Rhizosphere Biology Consortium, a research network of regional Leibniz, Helmholtz and university laboratories. Exploring the genetic basis of chemical communication venues in the rhizosphere is a major thrust of the consortium. The two successful applicants will investigate the architecture of metabolic and developmental root responses to altered nutrient supply (P, Fe, S) by profiling metabolites and polypeptides in root exudates of various Arabidopsis accessions and mutants coupled with the identification of major genetic loci that regulate nutrient bioavailability in the rhizosphere.

Post-doctoral candidates should hold a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry or biology with research experience in Arabidopsis metabolite analysis and molecular genetics. Ph.D. candidates should hold a university degree (diploma/master) in the biological sciences. Both positions are limited for 3 years and are available from 04/2011.

The IPB is an international research institute located on the weinberg-campus of the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg and provides state-of-the-art facilities for research in natural products chemistry/metabolomics, plant biochemistry/proteomics, and cell biology/imaging. Please send your application (cover letter addressing your research interests, CV, transcripts, and names/contacts of two references) to

Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzenbiochemie (IPB)
Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts
AG Personalangelegenheiten
Frau K. Balkenhohl
Weinberg 3
D-06120 Halle, Germany

bewerbungen@ipb-halle.de

Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry Scholarship

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 07:56:28 +0000

The ‘DNA replication and genome integrity’ research group invites applications for a

PhD student position

The PhD project will focus on the regulatory kinase network that controls DNA replication. Eukaryotic cells with large genomes require this kind of regulation in order to ensure that their DNA is duplicated fast, accurately, to completion, once per cell cycle and coordinated with other cellular processes that are essential for inheritance of genetic and epigenetic information. Failure of this regulatory network leads to genomic instability – the cause of cancer. The group uses the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a eukaryotic model system, which offers the advantage of using elegant genetic tools in combination with quantitative biochemical methods and modern genomic and proteomic approaches.

A successful candidate will have a master or equivalent degree in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics or related subjects and will have a strong interest in understanding basic cell biological questions at a mechanistic level. The initial appointment will be for three years with the possibility of an extension.

The ‘DNA replication and genome integrity’ lab is an Otto Hahn Junior Research Group at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried near Munich – one of the world leading research institutes within the fields of biochemistry, cell- and structural biology. For further information on our research refer to our webpage: www.biochem.mpg.de/pfander or contact Boris Pfander.

Please send your application including CV and contact details of referees directly to Boris Pfander (bpfander@biochem.mpg.de).

Von:

Boris Pfander
bpfander@biochem.mpg.de
Max Planck Institut für Biochemie
Martinsried bei München

Scholarship in Plant Molecular Biology

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 07:52:42 +0000

The Center for Plant Molecular Biology ZMBP in Tübingen/Germany invites biologists or biochemists to apply for a PhD student position jointly supervised by renowned Distinguished Guest Professor Jeffrey Dangl (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill). This position (E13 TV-L / 50%) is now available for three years. The major topic of the work will be the molecular, mechanistic and physiological analysis of receptor kinases implicated in plant immunity to microbial infection. Particular emphasis will be put on those receptors that are target of interference by microbial effectors. For more information on our labs please visit:

http://www.mnf.uni-tuebingen.de/fachbereiche/zentren/zmbp/plant-biochemistry.html or http://www.bio.unc.edu/faculty/dangl/. For more information on the project please contact us via email: birgit.kemmerling@zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de.
We offer an innovative and scientifically stimulating environment, a well-equipped lab as well as an international and cooperative research team. The highly motivated candidate must hold an excellent degree in biology or biochemistry, should be fluent in English and should have some experience in protein biochemistry and/or molecular biology. Please send as soon as possible a cover letter, a CV and names of two references preferably by email to:
birgit.kemmerling@zmbp.uni-tuebingen.de

Anfangsdatum: 1. Februar 2011

geschätzte Dauer: oder später, 3 Jahre

Bezahlung: E13/2 TV-L

Homepage:

http://www.mnf.uni-tuebingen.de/fachbereiche/zentren/zmbp/plant-biochemistry.html or http://www.bio.unc.edu/faculty/dangl/

Scholarship in Biogeochemistry

Ken — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 07:47:41 +0000

In the department of Isotope Biogeochemistry at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ we offer a position as

PhD Student in the field of anaerobic biochemistry / microbiology (code-digit 09/2011)

to commence at the earliest date. The appointment is for 3 years, working place is the Helmholtz Centre in Leipzig, Germany.

The project investigates the biochemistry of anaerobic respiration in bacteria of the genus Dehalococcoides. These bacteria are widely distributed in nature and are able to transform highly toxic, halogenated compounds by using them as electron acceptors in an anaerobic respiration. The goals of our research is to understand electron transport pathways leading to energy conservation in these bacteria and to identify the involved proteins. Preliminary results coming from microbiological, biochemical and genomic studies suggest a novel process. We anticipate to contribute with our research to the further development of bioremediation efforts and to identify biotechnological applications.

The project is embedded into a newly established DFG research unit (“DFG Forschergruppe FOR1530”) on Anaerobic Biological Dehalogenation in which several projects within the region Leipzig/Halle/Jena are coordinated. The methodology encompasses different approaches and there will be space for own ideas and developments.

Our department offers an inspiring working atmosphere, modern facilities with state of the art equipment and is embedded in a vivid and highly international research environment. Within the research unit multiple intra- and interdisciplinary co-operations are planed. The PhD student will participate in the UFZ Graduate School HIGRADE (www.ufz.de/index.php?en=11429) offering a wide range of additional opportunities.

The successful candidate is expected to hold a degree (Diploma/Master) in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Molecular Biology, or similar with sound knowledge in biochemistry, microbiology, and genetics. First experience with genome work is helpful. Applicants need good oral and written communication skills in English. The successful candidate should have strong motivation, flexibility, detail-orientation and willingness to work in cooperation.

Please inquire for a more detailed information package at Dr. Lorenz Adrian, +49 (0)341 235 1435,
e-mail: lorenz.adrian@ufz.de, web: http://www.ufz.de/index.php?de=17547

Salary will be according to the appropriate civil service level 13 (65%) (TVöD)
Women are explicitly encouraged to apply to increase their share in science and research. Physically handicapped persons will be favored if equally qualified

Please send your application under code 09/2011 by email to application@ufz.de or to the Personnel department of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, PO Box 500136, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.

Review of the applications will start February 15th and will continue until the position is filled.

Von:

Dr. Lorenz Adrian
lorenz.adrian@ufz.de
Helmholtzzentrum für Umweltforschung – UFZ
Leipzig

Mencegah HIV dengan Protein HLA

Ken — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 09:31:34 +0000

Inilah cara pencegahan HIV, Asam Amino, Kunci Kebal HIV. Mengapa tahap infeksi HIV pada beberapa orang tidak berlanjut menjadi AIDS? Sebuah kajian genetik terbaru menunjukkan, hal itu berkaitan dengan adanya asam amino tertentu dalam tubuh yang mampu menghancurkan sel-sel yang terinfeksi HIV. Demikian diungkapkan Bruce Walker, imunolog dan Direktur Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology dan Harvard University di Charlestown. Menurut temuannya, peluang tahap infeksi HIV untuk tidak berkembang menjadi AIDS terjadi pada 1 di antara 300 orang.

Penelitian itu dimulai ketika Walker mengetahui manfaat klinis yang dimiliki oleh pasien-pasein yang memiliki kekebalan terhadap HIV maupun mendekati ciri-ciri hiv lewat program HIV Controller Study. “Saya pikir, kita dapat membentuk kelompok untuk menganalisa hal itu. Kita harus menemukan keunikan genetik dari seseorang yang memiliki kekebalan itu,” ujar Walker. Walker bersama timnya lalu mengambil sampel DNA dari 900 pasien HIV Controller atau orang-orang yang punya kekebalan terhadap HIV tadi. Mereka membandingkannya dengan kode genetik yang terdapat pada 2.600 orang yang memberi respons normal terhadap HIV. Untuk membandingkannya, ia menggunakan Genetic Wide Association Study (GWAS).

GWAS akan menganalisa single nucleotide polymorphism atau perubahan satu kode genetik yang memunculkan variasi pada individu tertentu. Melalui kajian itu, Walker menemukan, ada sekitar 300 lokasi yang secara statistik berkaitan dengan kekebalan terhadap HIV tersebut. Lokasi-lokasi itu diketahui berkaitan dengan bagian genetik yang mengode protein kekebalan yang disebut protein HLA. Menggunakan pemetaan detail dari daerah HLA itu, Walker menemukan adanya asam amino pada protein HLA-B yang berbeda antara individu normal dan HIV Controller. Ia mengatakan, asam amino itulah yang mungkin bertanggung jawab terhadap kekebalan HIV. “Dari 3 juta nukleotida yang terdapat dalam genome manusia, saya menemukan asam amino yang membuat individu normal dan HIV Controller berbeda,” kata Walker. Protein HLA-B merupakan jenis protein yang bertanggung jawab untuk melawan virus.

Namun, sejauh ini belum diketahui mekanisme protein tersebut membangun kekebalan tubuh terhadap HIV. “Kami berusaha mencari tahu apa yang protein tersebut lakukan dan mekanisme pertahanannya. Masih banyak pekerjaan yang harus dilakukan,” ujar Walker. Pemahaman tentang mekanisme kerja protein tersebut sangat mungkin mendasari pengembangan vaksin. “Masih butuh waktu lama untuk memahaminya. Tetapi, kabar baiknya adalah adanya pengetahuan tentang sistem kekebalan ini. Hal itu berarti ada kabar bagus untuk vaksin karena prinsip vaksin adalah memanipulasi kekebalan,” kata Walker yang mempublikasikan risetnya dalam situs Jurnal Nature, 4 November lalu.