News archive for the Centre for Reproduction and Genomics
Centre for Reproduction and Genomics 5th Annual Research Colloquium
Thursday, 28 February 2013
- Cullen Conference Centre, AgResearch Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Invermay
Showcasing some of the exciting research being undertaken at or in association with the Centre.
Feeling gravity in your bones . . . Marsden fund success
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
A project to investigate a commonly observed health problem also represents something Professor Stephen Robertson hopes to see more of – research collaboration between the Otago and Auckland schools of medicine.
Marsden ‘Fast Start’ grant success
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Males have a strategy to boost their reproductive success in a competitive environment, but how does it happen and are their efforts worthwhile? Dr Patrice Rosengrave has received a Marsden Fast-Start grant of $345,000 over 3 years to examine How do males adjust their sperm quality in response to social cues?
The role of prolactin . . . Marsden fund success
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Professor Dave Grattan’s Marsden-funded project Mechanism of hormone entry across the blood-brain-barrier tackles an international hot topic, alongside one of the Centre for Neuroendocrinology’s major areas of interest – the role of prolactin.
Overcoming anxiety . . . Marsden fund success
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Associate Professor Greg Anderson is on a roll with a just-completed Marsden project giving birth to this year’s successful application, Overcoming anxiety: the neuroendocrine strategy of new mothers has attracted funding of $975,000 over 3 years
CRG scientist awarded Rutherford Discovery Fellowship
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Being awarded the prestigious Rutherford Discovery Fellowship will offer Dr Shinichi Nakagawa both a career boost and a valuable insight into one of evolutionary biology’s big questions.
The CRG summer of science
Thursday, 10 January 2013
The CRG is proving a popular place to spend a productive and educational summer break. Eight students are joining the Centre as interns for the next few months, with Centre researchers having no trouble finding bright young minds to get involved in hands-on scientific research projects.
National recognition for CRG scientist
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
For Professor Frank Griffin, being elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ) demonstrates the relevance of industry collaborations to today’s science.
International interest, as sequencing of the tuatara genome begins
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
The international biological science community is eagerly awaiting the sequencing of New Zealand’s tuatara – recently identified as one of the most evolutionarily significant animal genomes in the world.
Radio New Zealand Interview: Tuatara Genome Sequencing
Friday, 12 October 2012
On 29th September, Professor Neil Gemmell was interviewed by Kim Hill of Radio New Zealand on her 'Saturday Morning' show about the efforts underway to sequence the Tuatara genome.
PhD study challenges existing knowledge
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
A PhD study at the Centre for Reproduction and Genomics is not only challenging existing knowledge, but may shed some light on the accuracy of commonly used lab methods.
Otago University PhD candidate Karen Reader, who works at AgResearch’s Invermay campus, is part of a team looking at various aspects of fertility with the aim of increasing sheep productivity.
Meta-analysis revitalises life extension research
Friday, 28 September 2012
Revisiting old data with a different analytical approach has revealed that a reduced protein intake, previously overlooked by researchers, could be the key to a longer life.
What makes for good fertility?
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Is oocyte quality the most significant factor affecting female fertility, and what makes a good quality egg? Research indicates that this is one of the keys to human fertility, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which encodes key factors needed to insure the normal functioning of mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, is under the microscope.
The work presented by speakers at the Centre for Reproduction and Genomics’ July Focus On Seminar, sponsored by Roche, looked at mtDNA as a factor in both oocyte quality and embryo health. Presentations also suggested significant crossover between the fertility issues in humans and farmed species, opening up possibilities for collaboration and the use of sheep and cattle as research models.
Review paper highlights value of Otago study
Friday, 24 August 2012
A recently published review paper has highlighted a unique approach to fertility research currently underway at Otago. Dr Sheri Johnson of the Anatomy Department’s paper “Are old males still good males and can females tell the difference? Do hidden advantages of mating with old males off-set costs related to fertility, or are we missing something else?” was published in the July issue of the international scientific journal Bioessays. The review revealed mixed empirical evidence for what is strongly suggested by theory - reproductive success declines as male age increases, but older males still make appealing mates. Dr Johnson’s own work, supported by the Marsden fund, aims to address the correlation between these two variables, identifying a significant knowledge gap. A major strength is the use of a controlled environment that accounts for many of the confounding factors identified in the literature.
Focus on "Fertility"
Thursday, 12 July 2012
at 4:00pm
- D'Ath Lecture Theatre, Hercus Building, Great King Street
Focus on "Fertility", Centre for Reproduction and Genomics "Focus On" Seminar Series
Real-world skills bring knowledge to life
Friday, 20 July 2012
For Biological Sciences student Louisa McLellan, a placement at the Centre for Reproduction and Genomics was a first chance to apply her knowledge in the field, both figuratively and literally.
“It was great to have the chance to work on the farm as well as in the lab. I got to be really involved and do things I never thought I’d be doing.”
Fast start for evolutionary history
Thursday, 24 May 2012
In order to find answers to a new research question, the Department of Biochemistry's Dr Liz Duncan and Associate Professor Peter Dearden are taking a look at the past.
Dr Duncan's project Plastic genomes: does genome structure facilitate phenotypic plasticity? received a Fast-Start Grant of $345,000 over three years in the 2011 Marsden round. As well as using newly-developed tools and facilities at the University of Otago, her methods include examining patterns that have been established over millions of years.
Focus on Next Generation Sequencing
Thursday, 15 March 2012
at 4:00pm
- D'Ath Lecture Theatre, Hercus Building, Great King Street
Focus on Next Generation Sequencing - This "Focus On" provides an overview of next generation sequencing work currently being undertaken at Otago.
The Centre for Reproduction and Genomics - 4th Annual Research Colloquium
Thursday, 23 February 2012
- The Cullen Room, AgResearch Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Invermay
The Centre for Reproduction and Genomics 4th Annual Research Colloquium. The Colloquium will showcase some of the exciting research being undertaken at or in association with the Centre.