Wednesday, 30 September 2020
An international study led by the University of Otago has revealed how exercise can reduce the chance of diabetes leading on to heart disease.
Monday, 21 September 2020
New bioarchaeology research from a University of Otago PhD candidate has shown how infectious diseases may have spread 4000 years ago, while highlighting the dangers of letting such diseases run rife.
Thursday, 10 September 2020
Breastfeeding hormone prolactin the key to making new fathers better dads, researchers have found.
Tuesday, 8 September 2020
Last week Otago Biochemistry gathered together to listen to the fourth-year biochemistry students presenting work from their first year at the coal-face of biomedical research.
Monday, 7 September 2020
Fathers of newborn babies can be forgiven for feeling a little hormonal – a new study has shown they are being flooded by the same chemical as a breastfeeding mother.
Tuesday, 1 September 2020
If you’d like to see what really makes humans tick, the country’s oldest and largest anatomy museum is giving free tours – virtually, at least.
Thursday, 27 August 2020
The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, University of Otago and Victoria University of Wellington will help lead efforts to secure a COVID-19 vaccine for New Zealand as part of the newly established Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand – Ohu Kaupare Huaketo.
Wednesday, 19 August 2020
Some people turn their fruit and vege peels into compost. Some turn them into garbage. But new University of Otago PhD graduate Dr Risha Jasmine Nathan has spent the last three and a half years learning how to turn those peels into purifiers.
Wednesday, 19 August 2020
Two students studying at Otago Biochemistry have recently received scholarships to support their postgraduate research – one can now pursue a PhD in the USA, and the other will be supported while they add a year of research to their medical education.
Tuesday, 18 August 2020
A renowned Otago researcher has been named one of two new co-editors in chief for leading global quarterly journal Bioarchaeology International.
Thursday, 13 August 2020
University of Otago researchers have learnt more about how viruses operate and can evade the immune system and are now using their discovery to help learn more about COVID-19.
Wednesday, 12 August 2020
As of today, 694 alumni, friends, staff, parents and students have donated an extremely generous $357,000 to the Pūtea Tautoko student financial relief fund.
Monday, 10 August 2020
There are likely to be several hundred Māori unaware they are at high risk of an inherited form of stomach cancer and a New Zealand research team is hopeful updated international clinical practice guidelines they helped develop will encourage these people to be tested.
Thursday, 6 August 2020
In a world first, University of Otago scientists in partnership with Ngātiwai iwi and a global team of collaborators have sequenced the genome of the tuatara – a rare reptile whose ancestors once roamed the earth with dinosaurs.
Wednesday, 5 August 2020
The world of drug-cheating in sports is set for major disruption with the formation of InsituGen, a start-up company which will supply anabolic drug testing kits developed at the University of Otago, New Zealand.
Wednesday, 29 July 2020
Not everyone approaches retirement the same way. As Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser Craig Borley discovers, for newly appointed Emeritus Professor Warren Tate, retirement is a term that speaks more about gradual change than an abrupt cessation of work.
Thursday, 23 July 2020
The Otago Biochemistry Department welcomed students starting their biochemistry journey this week with an informal lunchtime function in the newly refitted department seminar room.
Thursday, 9 July 2020
Otago researchers studying the COVID-19 virus (SARS-2) have discovered potential target points on its genome, which may contribute to future treatments for the virus.
Wednesday, 8 July 2020
The 1st of July 2020 marked a significant milestone in the career of Warren Tate as he took up his new position in the Department, as Emeritus Professor.
Monday, 6 July 2020
Thanks to the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, two new research projects investigating neurodegenerative diseases will go ahead this year in the Neurodegenerative and Lysosomal disease laboratory at Otago Biochemistry.
Wednesday, 1 July 2020
The University of Otago announced the appointment of Professor Helen Nicholson as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, today. Professor Nicholson will take up the new role in January 2021.
Wednesday, 1 July 2020
Otago Biochemists Professor Catherine Day and Dr Adam Middleton have secured $1.2 million for a new research project looking into the details of how we defend ourselves against invading viruses.
Tuesday, 23 June 2020
New University of Otago research provides insight into how males influence their mates’ health, growth and fertility.
Monday, 22 June 2020
As older New Zealanders have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic, an Otago researcher warns there needs to be an emphasis on addressing older people’s future needs and to help reduce ageing inequities.
Tuesday, 16 June 2020
New University of Otago research sheds light on guinea pig domestication and how and why the small, furry animals became distributed around the world.
Monday, 8 June 2020
Some sufferers of Covid-19 are reporting symptoms related to the brain and nervous system, such as dizziness, headache, seizures, and risk of stroke; this phenomenon has motivated a trio of scientists here at Otago to investigate further.
Thursday, 4 June 2020
From a 10-child family in Whanganui to the fabled corridors of New York’s Ivy League Columbia University – it’s been a remarkable journey for Tom Devine.
Thursday, 28 May 2020
A collaboration between Otago and ESR has received a substantial government grant to lead an international team of scientists to sequence the genomes of all of New Zealand’s positive COVID-19 cases and track how the virus spread across New Zealand.
Wednesday, 27 May 2020
Congratulations to Otago Biochemistry Research Fellow Dr Megan Leask, who has been awarded an HRC Emerging Research First Grant to investigate genes associated with chronic kidney disease and gout in Māori and Pacific people.
Tuesday, 26 May 2020
A method to help improve testing for COVID-19, first promoted by a University of Otago researcher, is being used worldwide as countries struggle to manage high demand for testing.
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
Otago Biochemistry MSc student Tyler McCourt has been awarded the 2020 Joan Mary Anderson Award in Plant science.
Thursday, 23 April 2020
Detecting the presence of COVID-19 in sewage could become an important tool to monitor the virus and help uncover pockets of infection.
Tuesday, 7 April 2020
A high-security Physical Containment Laboratory (PC3) at the University of Otago’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, is undertaking research to isolate and grow SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, with samples taken from infected individuals.
Monday, 6 April 2020
Despite the lockdown and the scramble to get the Department’s teaching online, Otago Biochemistry research teams are continuing their science…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
