Biotechnology
New Thinking
AgResearch considers alternatives to Ruakura
AgResearch is likely to need new containment sites for its GM research activities as the existing Ruakura site becomes less suitable in the years ahead.
AgResearch welcomes ERMA approval for continued transgenic research
AgResearch has welcomed the Environmental and Risk Management Authority (ERMA) approval of its application to continue existing transgenic research on ruminant animals.
Advancing a bio-based economy
Showcasing New Zealand’s life sciences sector, NZBIO 2010 provides a perfect forum to explore new business opportunities across the bio economy. Registrations now open.
New animal health company underway
ParaCo Technologies Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of AgResearch Limited, has signed agreements with a number of research groups giving it exclusive animal health screening rights for a number of potentially active biological molecules.
AgResearch application to ERMA to permit GM ruminant research
AgResearch has submitted a limited application to ERMA for specific research using genetically modified goats, sheep and cattle in containment.
Hungry bugs eat GHG nasties
Landcare Research trialling practical way to radically cut New Zealand's methane emissions.
GM research could head offshore
New Zealand will get faster benefit if field trials of GM forages done in New Zealand.
Biotech still critical to NZ
AgResearch chief scientist Stephen Goldson says nanotechnology could confer massive benefit to New Zealand’s biological based industries by contributing technologies.
Genetic scientists boost knowledge economy
A new collaborative research programme led by scientists at Crown Research Institute Scion could impact everything from the food we eat, to the things we make, and the medical diagnoses we undergo, by better managing genetic information.
Global financial crisis means tough times for biotechnology sector
AgResearch and Australia’s CSIRO Livestock Industries Division have predicted the global financial crisis could significantly reduce investment in biotechnology and agricultural science.
New Science
Apple genome reveals unexpected results
Analysis of the complete DNA sequence of apple suggests that a major step in evolution of the fruit was caused by a catastrophic environmental event, possibly the same one that killed the dinosaurs.
An international consortium, including scientists at Plant & Food Research, has sequenced the more than 600 million base pairs of DNA which make up the apple genome and will open the way to understanding characteristics of importance to consumers, such as crispness, juiciness and flavour, or to producers, such as harvest time.
The research is published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics.
An international consortium, including scientists at Plant & Food Research, has sequenced the more than 600 million base pairs of DNA which make up the apple genome and will open the way to understanding characteristics of importance to consumers, such as crispness, juiciness and flavour, or to producers, such as harvest time.
The research is published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics.
GE discovery promises higher farm productivity and improved environment
AgResearch scientists and the team from subsidiary company, Grasslanz Technology Ltd, believe they can improve white clover (Trifolium repens) to give grazing animals a higher intake of protein, while at the same time reducing methane emissions.
Carbo loading
The expertise of the world-class chemists at IRL at manipulating the biochemistry of one of the most common biological building blocks is proving key to forging a globally competitive pharmaceuticals industry.
World first in bio-crude oil
NIWA’s scientific expertise on advanced wastewater treatment used in world’s largest wastewater algae to bio-crude oil demonstration puts CO2 to good use.
Potato Genome Sequence released
The Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC), an international team of scientists including New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research, has announced that it has released the first draft sequence of the potato genome.
Unique organisms found
Methane-consuming micro-organisms and other biological treasure have been found in Taupo's geothermal system by GNS Science.
Singing Scientist: The Epigenome Song
There’s been a Singing Nun and a range of singing talented housewives and cell phone retailers but AgResearch has discovered it has a talented young Singing Scientist. Matthew Barnett, an Auckland based Senior Research Scientist has written and recorded a music video about his research - Nutritional Epigenetics - which is about how food and genes inter-relate. Play YouTube video.
Release of bovine genome
AgResearch scientists have played a key role in genetic research that will transform the future selection and breeding of cattle worldwide.
From Waste to Gold
Crown Research Institute Scion is aiming to help Rotorua District Council save their taxpayers $650,000 a year by turning the city's sewage sludge into useful chemicals.
New Omega-3 sources could provide huge advantages
IRL is ramping up its already world-class fermentation technology and combining it with supercritical extraction as part of a long term project to develop new, high-value lipid products.
New Value
ArborGen Renews Agreement with Scion
ArborGen, LLC and New Zealand Crown Research Institute Scion have agreed to extend their multi-million dollar partnership in gene discovery and molecular breeding for forest trees. Begun in 2006, the partnership has been successful in identifying gene-traits associated with wood quality improvements in pine.
Rotorua District Council looks to gain value from biosolids
Rotorua District Council (RDC) and Crown Research Institute, Scion, are joining forces to demonstrate a new approach to the management of organic wastes.
X-ray crystallography in the spotlight
Radio New Zealand's Ruth Beran goes to Massey University to meet Geoff Jameson and IRL’s Graeme Gainsford who explain what x-ray diffraction and crystallography is, how it’s done, and what it can be used to measure.
IRL scientist wins major NZBIO award
IRL's Andreas Luxenburger was named 2009 NZBIO Young Biotechnologist of the Year at the 5th annual NZBIO Conference Awards.
Open Day at Scion
Crown Research Institute Scion is once again opening its doors on 21 March to treat the public to a fun, free open day full of science experiments, displays and tours.
New Centre for Reproduction and Genomics opens
AgResearch’s new Centre for Reproduction and Genomics has opened at its Invermay campus near Dunedin.
Scanning microscopy solves vaccine problem
After a rocky start in life, the most famous fawn of all time, Walt Disney’s Bambi, survived to mature and reproduce. Industrial Research is making sure his descendants are just as fortunate...
New Zealand research expertise sought at international renewable energy conference
Dr Tom Richardson, chief executive of Crown Research Institute Scion, is this week presenting New Zealand research into the role of forestry in producing renewable energy, at the U.S. Government hosted Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008).
Distinctive New Zealand flavours
Creating flavours from New Zealand native plants is the aim of a new, $1 million, Crop & Food Research programme that will see distinctive New Zealand food products developed for niche, high-value, export markets.
Collaboration builds total drug development pathway
Industrial Research is heralding the opening by the Prime Minister of a new facility at New Zealand Pharmaceuticals in Palmerston North which will provide commercial scale production carbohydrate compounds to feed into a promising range of new drugs.
