A key component of this project is development of international cooperation between US and Indonesian scientists. In addition, this project brings together a multidisciplinary tema of field biologists (botanists, zoologists and entomologists), microbiologists, and chemists.

The ICBG Indonesia project (2008-2013) is funded by NIH through the International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups program. NIH award number 1U01TW008160, USDAAFRI award number 2008-35621-04750.

Collaborators include scientists at UC Davis, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry (FORDA), UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Francisco, and USDA Forest Service. The goals are:

• Perform a biodiversity survey in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

• Use the biodiversity data to help designate this area as a protected area

• Screen microbes for biofuels applications including biodiesel and cellulolytic enzymes

• Screen microbes and plants for new therapeutic activities

• Educate local stakeholders regarding our project, and engage them in conservation

In addition to these outcomes, the field work is helping to build and strengthen biological collections in the US and Indonesia. Dozens of students, technicians and postdocs are receiving valuable training.