REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MALANG -- The Medical Faculty of Brawijaya University, located in Malang, East Java, will soon have a virology laboratory to facilitate study and research work.

"There are so many types of viruses in Indonesia, but the virology study and research center is less available," Dean of Medical Faculty Sri Andayani noted here on Tuesday.

Due to the high costs involved in setting up the laboratory and purchasing the necessary instruments, the facility will be gradually built over a period of five years.

In addition to preparing the physical infrastructure, the faculty is also preparing the human resources by sending a staff member to study at a virology laboratory in Australia.

"We are cooperating with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) as the institution has been running a virology laboratory for a long time," Sri noted.

Virology is the study of viruses, which are submicroscopic, parasitic particles of genetic material contained in a protein coat, and also virus-like agents.

Studying viruses is important as it is beneficial for the pharmaceutical industry and medical research.

"This virology laboratory will be one of the leading facilities belonging to the Brawijaya University," Sri affirmed.