Research Internship In Airlangga University, Indonesia
Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences
Tachibana Shingo
Introduction
Last year, the patients infected with dengue virus domestically were
found for the first time in last 70 years in Japan. Eventually thenumber of the patients became more than 150 people. I belong to Kobe
University Graduate School of Health Sciences and usually performresearch on HIV in Japan. In this time, I decided to participate in thisprogram because I have been interested in this prevalence. Dengue
fever is prevalent in tropical or subtropical region such as Southeast
Asia, South and Central America, and Africa. It is estimated that 1billion people suffer from dengue fever around the world every yearand 250 thousand people experience more severe symptom called
dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). However, any vaccine against
dengue virus has not been approved yet. There is no specific drug ortreatment unfortunately. Dengue fever is one of the endemic disease
in Indonesia and patients with dengue is increasing. It is said thatsome medicinal plants which we can harvest in Indonesia might havea potential of treatment for dengue. Therefore I intended to study thefraction of the plants. Indonesia is consisted with many islands andhas different types of culture from Japan. At the same time, I thoughtthat I could learn about Indonesian culture and life style. Airlangga
University established Institute of Tropical Disease (ITD). I studied
about dengue virus at ITD for 2 months.
Activity of Research
Dengue group in ITD has many kinds of research theme. I mainly
studied about "To seek a compound which has anti-dengue virus
activity". The research group which was established in a previous
SATREPS project provided me 20 kinds of extracts which was made

frommedicinalplants,

andthenI

startedinvestigating

theanti-dengue activity in these extracts. Because I usually studied about
HIV in Japan, it was hard for me to conduct dengue experiment at
first. In addition, my knowledge of dengue virus was quite poor.
Nevertheless, local researchers often helped me and gave a lot ofadvice to me.

Picture 1) exterior of ITD

Picture 2) view from dormitory	  	 We discussed details of our research each other to conduct dengueexperiment.

Itwasexperiments,(1)-associatedvirus,

veryprecious

epidemiological(2)experiencesurveyestablishment

ofofforme.

Other

dengueordenguehuman

anti-dengue

neutralizing monoclonal antibody, (3) investigation of mechanism ofdeveloping severe symptoms, (4) control of mosquitoes, and so on, arealso studied by dengue group. I could not accompany group member tocollect serum sample but I could watch a series of experiments fromextracting virus RNA to analysing viral gene sequence. And then, inorder to collect mosquito larva, I visited to mangrove forest withstudents who learn entomology. I was taught that water pool such as
mangrove forest is a suitable point for mosquitoes to breed. After that,I had them show inside of entomology laboratory. Many samples ofmosquito were displayed there and they taught me how to identify

mosquito strains. If I was in Japan, I could not experience such great
opportunity. My presentation about dengue reserach was held at thelast part of my stay. I spoke only English during presentation. It was
first time for me to introduce something in English.

Pic ture 3) collec ting lar vaPicture 4) Obs erving mo squitoes

Daily life in Indonesia
Regarding my daily life in Indonesia, I enjoyed Indonesian foods suchas Nasi Goreng and sweet fruits. Many kinds of fruits is available atstreet stand or supermarket because of tropical climate. In addition, I
played football with my friends on holiday. I started playing football in
my childhood and continued it until undergraduate student. However,I played football in foreign country for the first time then. I was
surprised that we can become more closer each other through playing
football if I am a foreigner in a certain region.

Picture 5) Indonesian food

Picture 6) tropical fruits

Through this program
I lived in different environment from Japan for 2 months andexperienced real Indonesian life, culture, religion and language. I
think I could grow into a robust person through this program. I reallystruggled at first, but could get used to living little by little because
local people are very kind and always helped me. My life in Indonesia
was surprising and amazing experiences to me. I will never forget thisstay. I succeeded to increase my communication skill, but thought thatmy efforts to solve problems were not enough. I must make use of thisexperience in my future life.

Picture 7)
Picture with ITD members
and staff

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to the persons concerned
who supported my stay.