Work continues during Covid-19 lockdown!
Wednesday, 25 March 2020
Lectures will continue online after a one-week break, as Otago Department of Biochemistry staff work from home during the Level 4 Covid-19 alert.
Covid-19 contingency planning
Wednesday, 18 March 2020
The Department of Biochemistry is busy planning for teaching to continue during any disruption of the university due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
More academic achievement awards for Otago Biochemistry students
Friday, 13 March 2020
Congratulations to the Otago Biochemistry students who received scholarships from outside the Department in recognition of their academic achievements as undergraduates last year.
Biochemistry’s Associate Professor Stephanie Hughes takes over as Director of the Brain Health Research Centre.
Monday, 9 March 2020
Associate Professor Steph Hughes undertook her first task as the new Director of the Brain Health Research Centre last week: chairing the Centre's launch of 2020’s Brain Awareness Week.
Brain Awareness Week begins
Friday, 6 March 2020
Brain Awareness Week starts this weekend. Otago’s very own Brain Health Research Centre brings research together from across departments, and during Brain Awareness Week there are many opportunities to get involved and learn more.
Biochemistry student wins University of Otago’s top undergraduate prize
Friday, 7 February 2020
Jennifer Palmer, Otago Biochemistry’s top 300-level student in 2019, has also been awarded the prestigious Prince of Wales Prize.
A new professor and two new associate professors at Otago Biochemistry
Thursday, 6 February 2020
As of February 1st, three lecturers at Otago Biochemistry have new titles; Richard Macknight is now a professor, and Peter Mace and Paul Gardner are now associate professors.
The changing of the guard: a new Head for Otago Biochemistry
Wednesday, 5 February 2020
Another chapter in the history of the Department of Biochemistry has passed, with its leadership handed over at a special dinner last Friday at Plato Restaurant.
Academic awards for 2019 Biochemistry students
Tuesday, 28 January 2020
The Otago Department of Biochemistry is proud to announce the winners of the 2019 student academic awards: Jennifer Palmer (300-level Edson Prize), Helena Cooper (400-level Edson Prize), Sarah Robinson and Jasper Struwig (joint winners, Petersen Prize), Shannon White (Mervyn Smith Prize).
High school students come face-to-face with Biochemistry
Tuesday, 28 January 2020
High school students from across New Zealand got to explore their own personal biochemistry last week, when they visited the Department and sampled life at Otago University.
Otago researcher’s discovery paves way for advances in treating cardiovascular disease
Tuesday, 14 January 2020
A University of Otago researcher has made an innovative discovery which paves the way for advances in treating cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure.
Ancient dwarfism skeleton tells story of acceptance
Friday, 20 December 2019
A remarkable 5000-year-old skeleton suggests human dwarfism was both accepted and respected in life and death in ancient China, research by a University of Otago bio-archaeologist shows.
Otago Biochemistry celebrates 2019
Thursday, 19 December 2019
On Wednesday afternoon, Otago biochemists assembled at the Alhambra Union Rugby Football Club to celebrate the many successes of 2019, drown the memories of failed experiments, and to thank the many people who work so hard to support the Otago Department of Biochemistry and its students.
Flowers in memory of donors
Thursday, 19 December 2019
Staff from the department's Clinical Anatomy Research Group today lay flowers in memory of those who have donated their body to the Department for medical science teaching and research.
Biomedical Sciences awards recognise outstanding Physiology staff
Monday, 16 December 2019
Three Physiology staff were amongst the winners at the School of Biomedical Sciences annual awards this week.
Otago Biochemistry graduation party December 2019
Friday, 13 December 2019
Crowds of graduands and their families descended on the Otago Department of Biochemistry this week to celebrate the completion of degrees in Biochemistry, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences and Applied Sciences.
Biochemistry awards at the Otago School of Biomedical Sciences end of year celebrations
Thursday, 12 December 2019
On Tuesday afternoon, the School of Biomedical Sciences held its annual Awards & End of Year Celebration at the Hunter Centre.
Otago researchers discover new viral strategy to escape detection
Wednesday, 11 December 2019
University of Otago researchers have discovered how viruses that specifically kill bacteria can outwit bacteria by hiding from their defences, findings which are important for the development of new antimicrobials based on viruses and provide a significant advance in biological knowledge.
Jelly and kiwifruit help kids learn about biochemistry
Monday, 9 December 2019
Kids from five Dunedin primary schools were plunged into the world of molecules that keep us alive when scientists from Otago's Department of Biochemistry visited in the past few weeks.
The 2019 Otago Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry Research Celebration
Friday, 29 November 2019
As the Dunedin heat built up last Friday, many scientists were found to be sheltering from the unusual weather conditions in the cool comfort of the Fullwood Room, in the Dunedin Town Hall. The Otago Microbiology & Immunology and Biochemistry Research Celebration is held every two years, and encourages researchers from the two departments to meet en masse, prising themselves out of their labs to share their research stories and find out what is happening in the building next door.
Excavating skeletons in backyards all part of the job for Otago scientist
Monday, 25 November 2019
An Otago scientist has been digging up human remains in the backyards of Uzbek villagers to discover how people lived in the Middle Ages.
Māori proverb a focus for Otago’s newest award-winning early-career researcher
Thursday, 14 November 2019
The University of Otago’s newest award-winning early-career researcher Dr Anna Gosling says a Māori proverb – “ka mura, ka muri” (we walk backwards into the future) – is a focus for her work.
Otago scientist contributing at global level to her field
Tuesday, 12 November 2019
One of Otago’s leading scientists has been flying under the radar while soaring to success on the world stage – until now.
Fantastic year for ‘blue skies’ research at Otago Biochemistry
Friday, 8 November 2019
Otago Biochemists are celebrating the results of the 2019 Marsden Fund applications this week, with five imaginative and exciting projects led by researchers in the Department of Biochemistry chosen for funding support.
From farm boy to award-winning genetic science star
Monday, 4 November 2019
From Otago farm boy to cutting-edge genetic scientist, Dr Tim Hore’s story is one of constant progress.
Otago researcher wins fellowship to uncover lives of forgotten colonial settlers
Thursday, 31 October 2019
A University of Otago researcher is hoping to discover how long-forgotten colonial settlers and miners lived, after being awarded an important research fellowship.
“Follow your passion” – a sit-down with Professor John Reynolds
Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Any university is, by design, a domain of high achievers, of those with a thirst and a quest for pushing the boundaries of what can be understood, what can be learned and what can be taught.
2019 Staff Awards celebrate exceptional contributions
Thursday, 24 October 2019
A staff member who has been at Otago for 33 years is the recipient of this year’s Award for Exceptional Performance by a member of Professional Staff.
Passion for staff wellbeing recognised
Thursday, 24 October 2019
The mental health and wellbeing of those around her is important to Rachel Kinnaird. Her dedication and commitment to provide a healthy work environment for her team and raise awareness of positive wellbeing within the Department of Anatomy has seen her awarded the University of Otago Excellence Award in Health and Safety (Individual) for 2019.
Biochem helps bring Being Brainy to Central Otago
Monday, 21 October 2019
Children in Central Otago learned about the wonders of the human brain earlier this month, thanks to an initiative by Brain Research New Zealand, and volunteers from the Universities of Otago and Auckland.
Sore calves, good cause
Wednesday, 16 October 2019
A group of staff in Otago’s Department of Anatomy are this week sporting a sense of achievement, and also sore calf muscles, after taking part in Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand’s Stadium Climb Challenge at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Sunday.
Scientists and artists peer into each other’s worlds
Monday, 30 September 2019
Otago Biochemistry research into a seaweed protein and ice formation have inspired the creation of two beautiful artworks: a knitted cowl and a piece of contemporary embroidery, part of a recent exhibition of art inspired by science held at the Otago Museum.
Less flowering, better farming the goal of Otago research
Wednesday, 25 September 2019
A quintessential Kiwi landscape usually includes green pastures dotted with livestock munching on healthy, vibrant grass.
PhD, Postdoc & Beyond …
Tuesday, 24 September 2019
Yesterday, the newly-minted University of Otago Postdoctoral Association hosted a very successful careers symposium for early career scientists. The keynote address was given by Professor Juliet Gerrard, the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor.
Staff and students give thanks
Thursday, 19 September 2019
The Department of Anatomy held its annual Thanksgiving Service in Dunedin recently. Family and friends of our donors, along with staff and students attended the service to honour and remember those generous people who have donated their body to medical science teaching and research.
2019 Endeavour Fund Success for Otago Biochemistry
Wednesday, 18 September 2019
Otago Biochemistry is celebrating this week after finding out that Associate Professor Richard Macknight and Dr Lynette Brownfield have successfully won funding from the Endeavour Fund for their project to improve New Zealand’s most important source of food for cows and sheep: ryegrass.
Time for law review on GM crops – leading academics argue
Wednesday, 18 September 2019
A group of New Zealand’s leading plant scientists are calling for a law change, allowing them to use modern plant breeding technologies, which could be highly beneficial to New Zealand and the world.
Communicating the Loch Ness study
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Earlier this month Otago’s Professor Neil Gemmell travelled to Scotland to reveal the findings of his environmental DNA study of Loch Ness. Anticipating an avalanche of global media attention, Senior Communications Adviser Mark Hathaway accompanied him. He writes about the experience for the Otago Bulletin Board.
Otago Biochemistry at Queenstown Science Extravaganza
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Queenstown Research Week this year was bustling with Otago Biochemistry researchers, who contributed as invited speakers, poster presenters, general delegates, and organisers. The biological science extravaganza is a cluster of meetings co-ordinated into one week, held each September. Attendees come to learn about the latest research carried out around New Zealand, do a little science networking, and enjoy the bonus of some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery.
Otago scientist reveals Loch Ness Monster could be … a giant eel
Friday, 6 September 2019
An Otago scientist has cast major doubt on the existence of a monster in Scotland’s Loch Ness, suggesting instead that it might be a giant eel.
Otago scientist fears many Kiwis unaware they have ALK positive lung cancer
Thursday, 5 September 2019
A University of Otago scientist is concerned there could be a considerable number of Kiwis unaware they have ALK positive lung cancer as Pharmac is looking to fund Alecensa, a drug to treat this particular cancer.
First eDNA Study Of Loch Ness Points To Something Fishy
Thursday, 5 September 2019
University of Otago geneticist, Professor Neil Gemmell can today announce the results of investigations into the environmental DNA present in the British Isles largest and second deepest body of fresh water, Loch Ness.
Swedish and Otago scientists shed new light on demise of two extinct New Zealand songbirds
Wednesday, 4 September 2019
They may not have been seen for the past 50 and 110 years, but an international study into their extinction has provided answers to how the world lost New Zealand’s South Island kōkako and huia.
World’s largest army is brutal, but could be beneficial
Wednesday, 28 August 2019
Is there a solution to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics? One answer may be found by studying the world’s largest and most brutal army, new University of Otago microbiology research shows.
Monkey malaria breakthrough offers cure for relapsing malaria
Thursday, 15 August 2019
A breakthrough in monkey malaria research by two University of Otago scientists could help scientists diagnose and treat a relapsing form of human malaria.
Professor Peter Dearden talks to Q+A about new genetic technologies
Tuesday, 13 August 2019
In an interview with Jack Tame on TVNZ's Q + A programme last night, Professor Peter Dearden clearly explained why it is time for New Zealand to re-think genetic technologies.
Study finds fish preserve DNA 'memories' far better than humans
Friday, 9 August 2019
We are all familiar with the common myth that fish have poor memory, but it turns that their DNA has the capacity to hold much more memory than that of humans.
A 20-year service to science recognised by Royal Society
Tuesday, 30 July 2019
When Dr Judith Bateup recognised New Zealand school leavers had an alarming lack of microbiology knowledge she decided to do something about it.
Understanding cardiovascular disease in Pasifika peoples
Wednesday, 24 July 2019
A new line of research is proposed at Otago to discover whether there are physiological reasons for higher instances of cardiovascular disease in Pasifika peoples.
Dr Andrew Bahn awarded Arthritis NZ Project Grant
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
Congratulations to Dr Bahn who has been awarded a $60K grant for his project "Identification of oxypurinol transporters to decipher drug-drug interactions in gout treatment”
Otago study unlocks secrets of sex change in fish
Thursday, 11 July 2019
A University of Otago-led study is heralding advances in our understanding of one of the most startling transformations in the natural world – the complete reversal of sex that occurs in about 500 species of fish.
Biochemistry and Plant Biotechnology student awarded University of Otago’s top undergraduate prize
Thursday, 8 February 2018
Biochemistry and Plant Biotechnology student Bridget Thomas has won the prestigious Prince of Wales Prize, University of Otago’s premier undergraduate award, awarded to the most outstanding student completing an undergraduate or honours degree.
