Tagged: genomics

Featured image: Understanding life in our waterways through metagenomics

Understanding life in our waterways through metagenomics - Genomics Aotearoa

Genomics Aotearoa • Sep 03, 2021 •

By Michael Hoggard and Carmen Astudillo Garcia, University of Auckland The rapid development and extraordinary cost reductions of next-generation sequencing technologies has greatly increased data on the functioning of complex microbial communities. Although relatively new, metagenomics has already dramatically influenced our understanding of the microbial tree of life and the known virosphere via the genomic traces of organisms and viruses … Read More

Featured image: Genomic solutions for a plant taonga: a high-quality rewarewa genome

Genomic solutions for a plant taonga: a high-quality rewarewa genome - Genomics Aotearoa

Genomics Aotearoa • Jun 09, 2021 •

[Illustration credit: “Seven Sisters, Knightia excelsa” Jennifer Duval-Smith ] By Plant & Food Research High Quality Genomes project co-leader David Chagné The completion of the native rewarewa (Knightia excelsa) tree genome sequence is demonstrating New Zealand is now taking charge of producing genomes on its native species. These are species that are important to us, and have taonga … Read More

Featured image: Indigenous Genomic Databases – two case studies

Indigenous Genomic Databases – two case studies - Unsorted

Genomics Aotearoa • May 26, 2021 •

By Phillip Wilcox, University of Otago, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa There is no one size fits all when it comes to designing research that fulfils cultural obligations, but two research exemplars from opposite ends of the world that incorporate Indigenous perspectives are providing potential direction. It’s hoped exemplars such as these will be able to guide … Read More

Featured image: Wasps are forever? The potential to eliminate an invasive pest in New Zealand; permissions withstanding

Wasps are forever? The potential to eliminate an invasive pest in New Zealand; permissions withstanding - Genomics Aotearoa

Genomics Aotearoa • Dec 21, 2020 •

By Gemma McLaughlin, University of Otago PhD candidate Invasive social wasps have long plagued New Zealand’s beech forests and suburbs. Now, a  genetic technology holds the potential to stop such wasps in their tracks. But one major issue lurks: are scientists even allowed to explore this option? New Zealand summers are a great thing. We have our kiwi classics: … Read More

Featured image: Just how worrying is the new Covid-19 strain for Britain – and the rest of us?

Just how worrying is the new Covid-19 strain for Britain – and the rest of us? - Infectious Thoughts

Siouxsie Wiles • Dec 21, 2020 •

Let’s start with the basics. The genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for Covid-19 is a strand of RNA made up of almost 30,000 nucleotides. These are code for the amino acids that in turn give us the proteins that make up the virus. Each time the virus enters a new cell and replicates, its genetic material is copied, … Read More

Featured image: Aches on a plane – new findings on in-flight Covid transmission

Aches on a plane – new findings on in-flight Covid transmission - Infectious Thoughts

Siouxsie Wiles • Nov 24, 2020 •

One of the good things about New Zealand pursuing an elimination strategy for Covid-19 (aside from the obvious) is that we are able to help answer some of the questions there are about how the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmits between people. Take air travel. As many people in the US start to head off around the country to spend Thanksgiving with … Read More

Featured image: Indigenous perspectives on unrestricted access to genomic data

Indigenous perspectives on unrestricted access to genomic data - Genomics Aotearoa

Genomics Aotearoa • Sep 23, 2020 •

By Genomics Aotearoa researcher Maui Hudson, University of Waikato It is vital that genomics research respects genomic data and genetic heritage from indigenous communities. Genomics research is a rapidly growing field of study, and there is a strong push to make the huge amount of data being produced open source for all researchers to use – the rational being … Read More

Featured image: Data analysis skills are in hot demand – what should we be doing about it?

Data analysis skills are in hot demand – what should we be doing about it? - Genomics Aotearoa

Genomics Aotearoa • Jul 29, 2020 •

By Associate Professor Mik Black, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago The increased availability of complex biological data sets means that analysis and computation are becoming critically important skills for New Zealand’s future scientists. Because of this, we need to be doing everything we can to help our students develop these skills, to better prepare them for large-scale data analysis … Read More

Featured image: Better understanding bacterial blooms in New Zealand waterways

Better understanding bacterial blooms in New Zealand waterways - Genomics Aotearoa

Genomics Aotearoa • Jul 13, 2020 •

Dr Kim Handley, University of Auckland Just how do cyanobacteria live in their natural habitat, and how do they coexist with other bacteria and microbial life forms? And what difference will knowledge on this bacteria have on maintaining New Zealand’s water quality? One of the consequences of declining water quality is an increase in cyanobacteria – these are photosynthetic bacteria … Read More