IO, Surabaya – The tenth November (sepuluh nopember) Institute of Technology (ITS) again inaugurated one of its honourable academic members as Professor in the field of Pure Chemistry, Tuesday (15/5), which certainly give new hopes for all people with cancer in Indonesia. As for the reason, the study of Prof Dr Fahimah Martak MSi, who has been confirmed as a professor at Graha Sepuluh Nopember (Graha 10 November), developed complex compounds for anticancer treatment supported by the technological approach.
Lecturer of the Chemistry Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences (FIA), in her scientific speech titled “Complex Compounds: Applications on Magnetic Materials and Anticancer Substances” explained that this research has successfully developed complex compounds as a layer of magnetic materials and anticancer substances. “These complex compounds will be useful for industrial and pharmaceutical fields,” said Fahimah.
Fahimah explained that complex compound is a covalent bond between ligands and metal ions. The complex compound structure of ligand N-(alilkarbamotioil) benzamide element is modified by adding 12 different kinds of substituents to benzene element. This difference in substituents activates complex compounds as anticancer substances.
“While finding the right modification, each substituent addition has been very well taken based on the lipophilic, electronic and steric properties of the ligands,” said the women.
According to Fahimah, her research on this matter continues with the use of different ligands, i.e. 4,5 diphenyl-1H-imidazole. Furthermore, ligand structures were being modified by adding chlorine and nitro substituents. “Ligand 2 (4-chlorophenyl) and 4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole elements has an active role in killing cell lines of Humans Colorectal (HCT 116),” added Ahmad Riza’s wife.
In addition to the ligand, she continued, metal ions also played an important role in the formation of complex compounds she studied on. From its research, cobalt ions are highly potential to kill cancer cells, as it produced the Co (II) / Zn (II) -pyridine (2,6-dicarboxylate) complex which possessed low toxicity rate of 83.71 g / mL.
“Complex compounds with toxicity rate lower than 100 mg/L are potentially active as anti-cancer compounds,” explained the newly inaugurated professor.
This anticancer enhancement has also been developed with a team from the pharmaceutical faculty of Airlangga University (Unair). “Chemists never worked alone but worked with experts for related fields, such as electrical engineering and pharmaceutical sciences,” said the Surabaya-born lecturer, July 3rd, 1966.
In both results, she transformed complex compounds into intelligent materials and from such material properties it can be used as a base for making sensors and computer memories.
“Normally if the computer experienced a sudden shutdown, unsaved data will be lost. While with complex compounds applied in the memory system, it can store data for long periods of time, even if computers were in a state of unexpected shutdown,” said the mother of one.
While the ITS Rector, Prof. Ir. Joni Hermana MScES PhD said in his speech that since last year ITS has attempted to bring more contributions to Indonesia, especially through science and technology fields in solving country’s problems. “Hopefully Prof Fahimah could bring positive impacts to all, both families, ITS academics and Indonesian citizens in general,” said Joni.
Joni expressed his true pride in Fahimah’s achievement and effort regarding her desire to acquire the professor’s degree. Joni is also delighted with the inauguration of Prof Fahimah which means the number of active professors at ITS currently increased to 94 members.
Therefore, Joni also hoped that this moment could be meaningful to Prof Fahimah. The professor’s status, in fact, is the highest institution acknowledgement for a person’s academic expertise. “Keep the trust well, because every step you take will be considered and reflects the ITS academic community,” Joni conveyed. (ITS)