Genetics Otago, University of Otago. New Zealand

Partner Organisations

Genetics Otago is proud to present the following groups as Partner Organisations, in recognition of its strengthening affiliations with complimentary Groups and Centres. The aim of this collaborative approach is to best promote our individual strengths and maximise our combined resources.

AbacusBio

AbacusBio Limited are Australasian market leaders in agribusiness consulting and associated new business development. The firm’s internationally recognised scientific expertise in agricultural technology and biotechnology is backed by specialised economic modelling, financial analysis and business management capabilities. AbacusBio has considerable expertise in the development and enhancement of genetic improvement schemes in livestock, plants and aquacultural species.

Focussed on developing consulting business through relationships with clients and growing their involvement in new ventures, AbacusBio’s vision is to bridge the gap between scientific possibilities and practical application in business.

Introducing AbacusBio’s Director and member of Genetics Otago, Peter Fennessy.

For more information on AbacusBio visit http://www.abacusbio.com

The Centre for Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies

The Centre for Law and Policy in Emerging Technologies is the only New Zealand-based research centre that will examine the legal, ethical and policy issues around new technologies. These include biotechnology, nanotechnology, alternative bio-energy, information and communication technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence.

The Centre’s aim is to bring legal and ethical perspectives to the evaluation of emerging technologies in what is an age of rapid scientific development. It is expected that the Centre will play a leading role in providing well-considered, research-based answers.

Introducing the Center of Emerging Technologies Director, Associate Professor Colin Gavaghan.

Centre for Reproduction and Genomics

The Centre for Reproduction and Genomics (CRG) is a collaborative venture between AgResearch, New Zealand's leading pastoral and livestock research institution, and the University of Otago, New Zealand's leading research university. The CRG brings together world-class scientists from AgResearch and the University of Otago working across a broad spectrum of reproductive biology, physiology, molecular biology, genetics and genomics.

Introducing CRG’s Director and Genetics Otago Advisory Group member Professor Neil Gemmell.

For more information on CRG visit http://www.crg.org.nz/.

Centre for Research on Children and Families

The Centre for Research on Children and Families goals are:

Introducing Centre for Research on Children and Families’ Director and Genetics Otago Advisory Committee member Professor Gordon Harold.

For more information on Centre for Research on Children and Families visit http://www.otago.ac.nz/crcf.

MapNet

Initiated in 2005, MapNet is a collective of NZ-based researchers from organisations involved in gene mapping. Organisations represented include HortResearch, University of Otago, AgResearch, Scion (NZ Forest Research Ltd), Crop and Food Research, ViaLactia BioSciences, Livestock Improvement Corporation, and the University of Auckland. This encompasses most - if not quite all - gene mapping research undertaken in New Zealand. Other (New Zealand) organisations are most welcome to participate. A key driver for MapNet is to co-ordinate scientists from disparate sectors working with common technologies to foster the development of multidisciplinary and cross-sector teams.

The primary role of MapNet is to encourage precommercial, cross-sector, gene mapping related R&D in a range of organisms valuable to NZ's economy, ecology and culture. To do this MapNet has a structure that includes a steering committee (from the range of participating organisations), and a convenor.

Introducing MapNet Steering Group member, and Genetics Otago Advisory Committee member, Assoc Prof Tony Merriman

For more information on MapNet visit https://mapnet.agresearch.co.nz/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page

National Research Centre for Growth and Development

The National Research Centre for Growth and Development (NRCGD) is a New Zealand Government-funded Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE), bringing together leading scientists from six partner organisations across New Zealand to address a single overarching question: what makes a healthy start to life?

The NRCGD’s internationally-recognised research seeks to reveal how events in early life affect mammalian development, with both short and long-term consequences for health and disease. The insights gained through this work will lead to new therapeutic and public health policy approaches to diseases with a developmental origin, as well as to improved productivity in farm animals.

Introducing NRCGD and Genetics Otago members: Assoc Prof Peter Dearden (Assoc Director NRCGD & Director Genetics Otago); Professor Ian Morison; Prof Hamish Spencer; Dr Christine Jasoni; Dr Shinichi Nakagawa; Sarah Morgan; Erin Daly; Verity Oliver.

For more information on the National Research Centre for Growth and Development: http://www.nrcgd.org.nz

 

Virology Otago

The Virology research team at the University of Otago comprises several interconnected groups located in the Divisions of Sciences and Health Sciences, and is spread across the Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington campuses. Together they have expertise in all areas of virology.

Current research activities of theme groups encompass multiple projects in the areas of: viruses and cancer; viruses and immunity; human and animal health virology; invertebrate virology; viral infections and diagnosis; vector-borne diseases; plant virology; and human respiratory disease and hepatitis.

The group has an exceptionally strong track record of publications, and collaborates internationally with research institutes in Germany, the UK, the US, Australia, Finland and Israel.

Introducing Virology Theme member and Genetics Otago member, Professor Andy Mercer.

For more information on Virology Otago visit http://mrna.otago.ac.nz/Virology/Virology.html

University of Otago Genetic Analysis Service (GAS)

The Genetic Analysis Service is based in the Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and aims to provide low cost sequencing and genotyping services, with the highest level of efficiency and reliability.

We provide a full range of DNA sequencing, genotyping and fragment analysis services for clients within and beyond the University of Otago using our state-of-the-art ABI 3730xl DNA Analyser. Clients can chose from either a full service option where they provide the DNA and we do the rest, or a simple run only option.

Introducing Professor Neil Gemmell (Director of the Genetic Analysis Service and Genetics Otago advisory group member); Prof David Green; Assoc Prof Peter Dearden; Assoc Prof Tony Merriman; Prof Stephen Robertson; Prof Clive Ronson and Dr Shinichi Nakagawa.

For more information on the Genetic Analysis Service: http://gas.otago.ac.nz

University of Otago High-Throughput DNA Sequencing Unit

The Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago, offer a full High Throughput Sequencing Service using the Roche/454 GS FLX and ABI SOLiD systems. All the client has to do is supply high quality DNA.

The Sequencing Unit will sequence anything from viruses, bacterial genomes, transcriptomes, amplicons or eukaryotic genomes to the client’s specification. New applications for this technology continue to emerge as the Unit maintains its access to the latest updates.

This comprehensive service enables the client to sequence template from any source to tailored specifications including:

Turn around is 4-6 weeks from receipt of DNA.

For more information on the Sequencing Unit: http://sequence.otago.ac.nz


University of Otago, New Zealand Genetics Otago